The Photo That Defined Her: 5 Shocking Facts About Rickie Fowler’s Wife, Allison Stokke, And Her Viral Fame

The phrase "Rickie Fowler wife famous photo" does not refer to a picture of the celebrated PGA Tour golfer and his spouse, but rather to a single, candid image of his wife, Allison Stokke, taken nearly two decades ago that irrevocably changed her life. As of the current date in late 2025, the picture remains one of the most infamous examples of internet virality, controversy, and the objectification of female athletes.

This single photograph, captured when Allison Stokke was just 17 years old, launched her into a global spotlight for all the wrong reasons, overshadowing her record-breaking career as a pole vaulter. Today, the story of the photo serves as a powerful testament to her resilience, as she has successfully transitioned from a haunted athlete to a prominent fitness model, sports influencer, and a dedicated mother of two with one of golf's most recognizable figures. The full, complex story of the image and its lasting impact is far more compelling than the simple search query suggests.

Allison Stokke Fowler: Biography and Athletic Profile

Allison Rebecca Stokke Fowler is a former elite track and field athlete who specialized in the pole vault. Her career was marked by both tremendous athletic achievement and the unprecedented challenge of navigating sudden, unwanted internet fame.

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• Full Name: Allison Rebecca Stokke Fowler
• Date of Birth: March 22, 1989
• Place of Birth: Newport Beach, California, USA
• Parents: Allan and Cindy Stokke
• Spouse: Rickie Fowler (Married October 2019)
• Children: Maya Fowler (Daughter, born November 2021), Nellie Fowler (Daughter, born 2024)
• Height: 5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
• High School Records: Broke the American high school pole vaulting record four times.
• Collegiate Career: Attended the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley), competing for the California Golden Bears.
• Current Profession: Fitness Model, Sports Influencer, Former Professional Pole Vaulter.
• Notable Achievements: Won the 15/16 United States pole-vaulting title. Set a national high school record in 2006.

The True Story Behind the "Famous Photo" and Its Viral Legacy

The "famous photo" that consistently drives search traffic is a snapshot from a 2007 track meet in New York. At the time, Allison Stokke was a 17-year-old high school senior and a rising star in the pole vaulting world.

The Candid Shot That Changed Everything

The image in question was a candid, routine photo taken by a journalist for a Californian track and field website. It showed Stokke adjusting her hair and holding her pole, captured just before or after a jump. The picture was initially posted online to celebrate her athletic talent. However, a sports blog with a predominantly male audience picked up the image, adding a lewd and objectifying caption.

From there, the photo exploded. It was rapidly shared across social media platforms, forums, and blogs, turning the high school athlete into an unwilling and immediate "viral sensation." The attention was intense, immediate, and entirely focused on her appearance rather than her athletic prowess.

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The Dark Side of Unwanted Fame

The sudden, global notoriety was a nightmare for the young athlete. Allison Stokke’s story became a prominent case study in the negative consequences of internet objectification and cyber-harassment, especially for young women in sports. She was quoted as saying, "I worked so hard for pole vaulting and all this other stuff... and that's not what's on the Internet."

The consequences were severe. She faced intense media scrutiny, paparazzi following her, and even stalkers, forcing her to take precautions like locking her doors and checking under her car. The pressure and distraction were so profound that they nearly derailed her promising career, a struggle detailed in pieces by outlets like *ESPN W*.

While the photo brought her unwanted fame, it also served to highlight a critical discussion about the media's treatment of female athletes and the lack of consent in digital virality. Her resilience in continuing her career despite the immense pressure is a key part of her legacy.

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From Track Star to Golf Wife: Allison Stokke’s Triumphant Pivot

Allison Stokke’s journey did not end with the controversy; instead, she leveraged the platform—on her own terms—to build a successful career and a family life with one of the biggest stars in golf, Rickie Fowler.

Finding Love with Rickie Fowler

In a modern twist of fate, Allison and Rickie Fowler began dating in 2017 after Rickie reportedly "slid into her DMs" on social media. Their connection was rooted in their shared Southern California upbringing—Rickie from Murrieta and Allison from Newport Beach—and their mutual understanding of the high-pressure world of professional athletics.

Their relationship quickly became a fan favorite. They were engaged in June 2018 and married in a private ceremony on a beach in October 2019. Their life together often sees Allison traveling with Rickie on the PGA Tour, offering a steady, quiet presence that contrasts sharply with her earlier, chaotic internet fame.

A Career Defined by Resilience and Influence

After her collegiate career at UC Berkeley, Allison Stokke continued to pole vault professionally while successfully transitioning into a high-profile sports and fitness model. This move allowed her to reclaim her image and professional narrative.

She has collaborated with and modeled for major global sportswear and lifestyle brands, including:

• Nike
• Athleta
• Uniqlo
• GAP
• GoPro

Her work as a fitness influencer now showcases her dedication to the sport of pole vaulting and athletic fitness, effectively turning the initial objectification on its head by using her platform to promote healthy, strong athleticism. This transition is a powerful example of an athlete controlling their own image in the digital age.

The Growing Fowler Family: Two Daughters and the Tour

The most recent and significant updates in Allison Stokke’s life revolve around her growing family with Rickie Fowler. The couple welcomed their first daughter, Maya Fowler, in November 2021. The family expanded again in 2024 with the birth of their second daughter, Nellie Fowler.

Rickie Fowler has often spoken about the reality of balancing his professional golf career—which includes major tournaments like the Masters and the Open Championship—with fatherhood. The family frequently travels together, renting houses near tournament locations to maintain a sense of normalcy and stability for their young children. This commitment to family life on the road highlights the quiet, supportive partnership that has allowed both Rickie to focus on his game and Allison to manage her career and personal life away from the intense scrutiny of the "famous photo" era. The couple's journey from a viral controversy to a stable family unit on the PGA Tour is a powerful, inspiring narrative of triumph over adversity.