On screen, Robert De Niro has often played formidable characters. In life, however, he is a particularly committed family man. From his first marriage to Diahnne Abbott to his current relationship with Tiffany Chen, the American cinema legend built a blended family of seven children. A family story which took an unexpected turn in 2023 with the birth of his last child, little Gia, when the actor was approaching 80 years old. Who are his seven children – one of whom lost his son – and who is his transgender daughter? Here’s everything you need to know about Robert de Niro’s personal life.
Who are Robert De Niro’s seven children and who are their mothers?
At 82 years old, Robert De Niro is today the head of a particularly large family. The actor is the father of seven children, born from four different love stories. His eldest, Raphael, was born in 1976 from his marriage to actress Diahne Abbott. He also adopted Drena, her daughter from a previous relationship, and whom he always considered his own child. A few years later, while sharing the life of model Toukie Smith, the actor welcomes twins, Julian and Airynborn in 1995 thanks to a surrogate mother.
In 1997, the star of Taxi Driver then married Grace Hightower. Two children were born from this union: Elliot, in 1998, then Helen Grace, in 2011, also born by surrogate mother. Finally, in April 2023, as he approaches 80, Robert De Niro becomes a father for the seventh time with the birth of Gia, the fruit of his relationship with Tiffany Chen. A blended family that was built over nearly half a century.
Who is Tiffany Chen, Robert De Niro’s partner?
For several years, Robert De Niro has shared the life of Tiffany Chen, tai chi teacher and champion of the discipline. They met in 2015 on the set of the film The New Internin which she appears briefly alongside the actor. Their story remained discreet for a long time before being made official in 2021, when they were photographed together on several occasions.
In April 2023, the couple welcomed a little girl, Gia. A few months later, Tiffany Chen confides in the show CBS Mornings about the first months of motherhood and reveals that she suffered from Bell’s palsy after giving birth. She explains that she was able to count on the unwavering support of her partner during this difficult period.
Robert De Niro father for the 7th time at 79: his moving confidences about his late paternity
In May 2023, Robert De Niro created a surprise by announcing that he had become a father for the seventh time. During an interview given to AND Canadaa journalist talks about his “six children“. The actor immediately takes it up with a smile: “Six ? Non… sept.“A few days later, he revealed that his daughter’s name is Gia Virginia Chen-De Niro and that she was born on April 6, 2023.
Asked by Todaythe actor is particularly moved when he talks about his youngest daughter. “Everything that worries me or stresses me disappears when I look at her“he confides. An unexpected birth which caused a lot of talk, Robert De Niro having become a father at 79 years old. Never mind, this new adventure didn’t stress him out at all. On the contrary. The actor explains that he is experiencing this new stage with great serenity. In this same show, he recognized that his role as father had evolved over the years. “I don’t really have a choice” he joked when asked if he still changed diapers.
Airyn De Niro: Robert De Niro’s daughter came out as transgender
In April 2025, Airyn De Niro, born in 1995 from the relationship between Robert De Niro and Toukie Smith, spoke publicly to announce that she was a transgender woman. On Instagram, the young woman simply wrote: “People really don’t know anything about me because I’m a black transgender woman. I am Airyn.”
In an interview given to the media Themshe then returned to her personal journey, explaining that she grew up in an environment where she was able to “explore who [elle était] à [son] pace“. Today wishing to put his experience at the service of others, Airyn hopes to contribute to creating “spaces where you can be fully yourself, without fear or compromise“.If Robert De Niro has not spoken publicly about his daughter, she has made it known that her dad has always “fully supported” in his approach.
The death of his grandson Leandro: the tragedy that shocked Robert De Niro
The year 2023 was marked by a terrible ordeal for the actor. In July, her grandson Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, son of Drena De Niro, died at the age of 19 from an accidental overdose linked to substances contaminated with fentanyl. In a press release sent to several American media, Robert De Niro said: “profondément bouleversé“by this disappearance.”We are very grateful for everyone’s condolences. We ask that our privacy be respected so that we can mourn the loss of Leo“, he declared. Just a few months after the birth of little Gia, this tragedy served as a reminder of how joys and dramas can sometimes coexist within the same family.
