EXCLUSIVE: Paul Walker’s brother Cody breaks down in tears as he reveals his ongoing grief over The Fast and the Furious star’s death – and lifts the lid on his relationship with estranged niece Meadow

Paul Walker’s brother Cody had to be comforted by his close friend Tyrese Gibson after he was reduced to tears as he expressed his sadness over his sibling’s death – just days before the late actor’s 50th birthday.

The Fast and the Furious star died in 2013 at the age of 40 after the car he was traveling in crashed into a concrete lamppost in California and burst into flames.

Now, in an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com, FuelFest Founder Cody opened up about his ongoing grief over the loss of his older brother, while also speaking about the “huge role” Paul played in his life after their parents separated when they were children.

“I miss him every day.” It’s actually hard to believe. ten years. “Wow,” he said, thinking about his oldest sibling.

He also expressed his “proud” for Paul’s 24-year-old model daughter Meadow, who has fronted campaigns for Givenchy, although he admitted the newlyweds are “doing their own thing” after the couple’s relationship reportedly became estranged .

Fighting back tears: Cody broke down in tears while talking about his late brother Paul in an exclusive interview with Dailymail.com

Shoulder to cry on: Tyrese was there for Cody as he revealed how the Walker family will be taking sunrise and sunset photos next week to mark Paul’s 50th birthday

Cody (along with Paul) was 25 when his brother passed away – and now he’s spoken openly about the incredible influence his brother had on his life

Cody, 35, opened up to DailyMail.com while discussing his latest passion project, FuelFest, an event series starting Saturday that features live drifting and supercar roll racing

Speaking about plans to honor Paul on the 10th anniversary of his death on November 30, he began: “It’s been 10 years now, usually family members take photos of the sunrise or sunset on his birthday.”

But the actor, who is preparing to host his first FuelFest even in New Jersey on Saturday, fell silent as he wiped his eyes and fought back tears.

Tyrese, who starred alongside Paul in the Fast and Furious franchise, quickly jumped up to hug and comfort his friend as Cody collapsed.

Cody took a moment to compose himself and continued, “His 50th birthday will be on Tuesday.” Miss him every day. Actually hard to believe. ten years. Wow.’

Speaking about their relationship, he added: “He played such a big role in my life,” Cody said of his late brother. “He’s 15 years older than me.” Same parents. I was the accident – the best…

“My parents separated when I was in middle school, that had a big impact on my life.” You know, I traveled with him a lot, he took me with him.

“My mom would say, ‘He needs to come back to school,’ and he would just say, ‘Oh, he’s learning everything he needs to learn with me.’

“He meant a lot to a lot of people.” And we miss him very much.’

Cody, who was 25 when his brother died, said he enjoys hearing people share how much Paul meant to them.

Father-daughter: Cody opened up about his relationship with Paul’s daughter Meadow, pictured here with her father, after it was reported that they were now estranged

Friends: Tyrese continues to remember Paul, who was pictured together in 2003’s 2 Fast 2 Furious, by hosting FuelFest, where a portion of the proceeds will be donated to Paul’s non-profit charity

“It’s really cool when people come up and say, ‘Your brother is the reason I’m interested in cars’ or ‘A car saved my life,'” he enthused.

“It’s a cool feeling because my answer is always ‘Me too.'” I’m 15 years younger. He had a big influence – I couldn’t even drive. I was in middle school. Running to the cinemas, going to the premieres and so on. It was such great fun. It feels really good when people say things like that.”

When asked about his current relationship with Paul’s daughter Meadow, who starred in Fast X this year, he said: “She’s doing her own thing.” She’s pursuing that career. She finds her success. I’m very proud of her at the moment.’

Tyrese praised Meadow, adding: “She was just in Fast Ten.” So proud. We love Meadow. She is a supermodel. Paul Walker was a model without even being a model. This guy checks off everyone. He was the perfect white man.’

Meadow, who was 14 when her father died, is said to have become estranged from the Walker family. According to reports in 2019, she had “cut them out.”

The model, actress and CEO of the Paul Walker Foundation, who married Louis Thornton-Allan in October 2021, previously said her father was “amazed” by her role in Fast X.

Cody spoke to DailyMail.com ahead of Fuel Fest, a series of automotive events starting tomorrow at New Jersey Motorsports Park.

Pride: Cody expressed his pride to Meadow for pursuing a successful modeling career

Keeping it in the family, Meadow made her debut in Fast X, the latest installment in the Fast and Furious series, earlier this year

Legacy: Paul at the Fast and Furious 6 film premiere, just six months before his fatal car accident

Organized by Cody and his business partner Chris Lee, the event will be co-hosted by Tyrese, who starred alongside Paul in the blockbuster Fast and the Furious series.

A portion of the proceeds from the inaugural event will be donated to Reach Out, the nonprofit organization Paul founded to send relief workers to disaster areas to support relief efforts.

“Whenever a natural disaster happened, Paul would put 10 or 15 people on a plane out of his own pocket and they would be there to get rocks and help the unburied people or help with any natural disaster,” Cody said.

“So every FuelFest event we host, we donate a portion of all proceeds from all ticket sales to reach worldwide because we have people in Hawaii right now that are on the ground helping out.”

Upcoming shows include Las Vegas on October 6th and 7th and Scottsdale on December 9th.

Paul played Brian O’Conner in five Fast and Furious films and posthumously appeared in Furious 7 in 2015.

Tickets for FuelFest New Jersey, Las Vegas and Scottsdale are available now at FuelFest.com