Few Hollywood actors have had careers as legendary as Robert De Niro’s, but beyond his award-winning performances, he is also a devoted father. Interest in Robert De Niro kids has grown over the years, especially after the actor welcomed his youngest daughter in 2023 at the age of 79. His family spans several generations, with children ranging from toddlers to adults pursuing their own careers and interests.
This guide explores Robert De Niro’s seven children, their mothers, what they do, and how the Oscar-winning actor approaches fatherhood. It also looks at his parenting philosophy and answers some of the most searched questions about his family.
Who Is Robert De Niro? A Short Biography
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Robert Anthony De Niro |
| Date of Birth | August 17, 1943 |
| Age | 82 (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | New York City, New York, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Actor, Director, Producer, Restaurateur |
| Years Active | 1963–present |
| Education | Stella Adler Conservatory, HB Studio, Actors Studio |
| Famous For | Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, Goodfellas, The Godfather Part II |
| Children | Seven |
| Net Worth | Public estimates place it at several hundred million dollars |
| Source of Income | Acting, Producing, Business Ventures |
| Official Website | None |
How Many Kids Does Robert De Niro Have?
Robert De Niro has seven children from relationships with four women. His family includes biological children, an adopted daughter, twins born through surrogacy, and his youngest daughter, who was born in 2023.
The actor has often kept his family life relatively private despite his international fame. While some of his children have entered entertainment or public life, others have chosen careers away from Hollywood. Throughout the years, De Niro has emphasized protecting his children’s privacy and allowing them to grow up as normally as possible.
Robert De Niro’s Children
Drena De Niro
Drena De Niro is Robert’s oldest child. She was born in 1967 to actress Diahnne Abbott before her marriage to De Niro. After marrying Abbott in 1976, Robert legally adopted Drena, who took his surname.
She has worked as an actress, producer, model, and filmmaker. Over the years, she has appeared in several films and television projects while also directing documentaries and creative projects.
Drena has spoken publicly about the close relationship she shares with her father. She is also a mother herself, making Robert De Niro a grandfather.
Raphael De Niro
Raphael De Niro is Robert’s oldest biological son and was born in 1976 during his marriage to Diahnne Abbott.
Although he briefly appeared in films as a child, Raphael chose a different career path. Today, he is a highly successful luxury real estate broker in New York and has represented numerous celebrity clients.
Unlike many celebrity children, Raphael has largely built his professional reputation outside the entertainment industry.
Julian De Niro
Julian Henry De Niro is one of Robert De Niro’s twins with former model and actress Toukie Smith. The twins were born in 1995 through a surrogate.
Julian has followed his father’s footsteps into acting. He gained widespread recognition for portraying a young Barack Obama in the television series The First Lady. His performance introduced him to a wider audience and showcased his own acting talent rather than simply relying on his famous family name.
Airyn De Niro
Airyn De Niro, Julian’s twin sibling, has mostly stayed out of the public spotlight.
In 2025, Airyn publicly shared that she is a transgender woman. Robert De Niro responded with a statement expressing unconditional love and support, saying that he loved and supported Airyn just as he always had. His response received widespread attention for its simplicity and acceptance.
Airyn has said she appreciated her parents’ decision to keep her childhood relatively private, allowing her to grow up away from constant media attention.
Elliot De Niro
Elliot De Niro was born in 1998 during Robert De Niro’s marriage to Grace Hightower.
Although Elliot maintains a low public profile, Robert has previously spoken about him and revealed that Elliot is on the autism spectrum. The actor has participated in conversations about autism awareness while remaining respectful of his son’s privacy.
Elliot rarely appears in public and generally stays away from media attention.
Helen Grace De Niro
Helen Grace De Niro was born in 2011 through a surrogate during Robert De Niro’s marriage to Grace Hightower.
Like her siblings, Helen has largely grown up away from the spotlight. In recent years, however, she has occasionally accompanied her father to public events. Reports have suggested she may begin exploring acting, although her family has not made many public comments about her future career.
Gia Virginia Chen-De Niro
Gia is Robert De Niro’s youngest child. She was born in April 2023 to De Niro and his partner, Tiffany Chen.
Her arrival made international headlines because De Niro became one of Hollywood’s oldest fathers at age 79. Since Gia’s birth, the actor has occasionally shared lighthearted stories about parenting a toddler later in life.
He has described Gia as bringing “pure joy” into his life and has spoken warmly about spending time feeding her, watching videos together, and enjoying everyday family moments.
Robert De Niro’s Parenting Style
Despite portraying countless tough characters on screen, Robert De Niro has consistently described himself as a supportive father.
He has explained that parents should support their children as long as they are not harming themselves or others. That philosophy became especially visible when he publicly expressed support for Airyn after she came out as transgender in 2025.
De Niro has also said he tries to encourage independence while respecting each child’s individual personality. Rather than pushing his children toward acting, he has supported whichever careers and interests they choose.
A Family Across Four Generations
One remarkable aspect of the De Niro family is the wide age range among his children.
His oldest daughter is in her fifties, while his youngest daughter is still a toddler. This nearly eight-decade age difference has attracted public curiosity, but De Niro has embraced fatherhood at every stage of life.
His family now includes adult professionals, actors, teenagers, young children, and grandchildren, making it one of the most unique family dynamics among major Hollywood stars.
Why Are People Interested in Robert De Niro’s Kids?
Search interest in Robert De Niro’s family increased significantly after several major events:
- The birth of daughter Gia in 2023.
- Airyn De Niro’s public announcement in 2025.
- Julian De Niro’s growing acting career.
- Continued public appearances with younger children.
- De Niro discussing parenting during interviews.
These moments have introduced different generations of his family to the public while reinforcing the actor’s image as a devoted father.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many kids does Robert De Niro have?
Robert De Niro has seven children. They are Drena, Raphael, Julian, Airyn, Elliot, Helen Grace, and Gia. His children were born over several decades and come from four different relationships.
Who is Robert De Niro’s youngest child?
His youngest child is Gia Virginia Chen-De Niro, who was born in April 2023. She is Robert De Niro’s daughter with his partner Tiffany Chen and made headlines because he became a father again at age 79.
Which of Robert De Niro’s children are actors?
Drena De Niro has worked as an actress and filmmaker, while Julian De Niro has pursued acting professionally and gained attention for portraying a young Barack Obama in The First Lady. Some of his other children have chosen careers outside entertainment.
Did Robert De Niro adopt any children?
Yes. Robert De Niro adopted Drena De Niro after marrying her mother, actress Diahnne Abbott. Drena has carried the De Niro surname throughout her professional career and has maintained a close relationship with him.
What has Robert De Niro said about parenting?
Robert De Niro has said that supporting his children is his biggest parenting priority. He believes parents should stand by their children as long as they are not harming themselves or others, a philosophy he has expressed in several recent interviews.
Conclusion
Interest in Robert De Niro kids reflects more than simple celebrity curiosity. His family tells the story of a father whose children span multiple generations, careers, and life experiences. From adopting Drena decades ago to welcoming Gia later in life, De Niro has embraced fatherhood through every stage of his remarkable career.
While his children have chosen different paths—some in entertainment, others in business or private life—De Niro has consistently emphasized respect, privacy, and unconditional support. As one of Hollywood’s most celebrated actors, his greatest role away from the cameras continues to be that of a father to seven unique individuals.
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