Robert De Niro may have played many iconic parts over the years, but the Oscar-winning actor’s most important role is as a father.
The actor shares seven children with four different women — two each with Diahnne Abbott, Toukie Smith and Grace Hightower, as well as one he is believed to have welcomed with Tiffany Chen.
The “Taxi Driver” star told ET Canada in May 2023 that he has to ride the line between being “loving” and “stern” while raising his brood.
“There’s no way around it with kids,” the Emmy winner explained. “I don’t like to have to lay down the law and stuff like that. But, [sometimes] you just have no choice.
“Any parent, I think, would say the same thing,” he continued. “You always want to do the right thing by the children and give them the benefit of the doubt but sometimes you can’t.”
Keep scrolling to see how De Niro’s family has grown between 1976 to 2023.
Drena De Niro
When Robert and Abott tied the knot in April 1976, the “Dirty Grandpa” star adopted the actress’ daughter, Drena, from a previous relationship.
The little one, who was born in 1971, took her then-stepdad’s surname at the time.
Not only has she followed in Robert’s acting footsteps over the years – with movies like “Great Expectations” and “Joy” – but she has also worked as a model and a DJ.
Additionally, she created the production company Daredevil Films and Television.
Drena made Robert a grandfather in 2003 when she and then-boyfriend Carlos Rodriguez welcomed son Leandro. The 19-year-old died in 2023.
Raphael De Niro
Robert and Abbott welcomed their son, Raphael, in November 1976, seven months after their wedding.
While the real estate agent broker did not pursue a career in Hollywood, he has helped many A-listers find homes during his time at Douglas Elliman.
Raphael married fellow broker Claudine De Matos in 2008, and they separated in 2015 after welcoming three children. By the time their divorce was finalized in January 2020, Raphael had moved on with stylist Hannah Carnes, whom he is now married to.
Aaron Kendrick De Niro
Robert divorced Abbott in 1988, moving on with actress Toukie Smith that same year.
Before their 1996 split, the former couple welcomed twin sons Aaron and Julian in October 1995.
Aaron has remained out of the spotlight, unlike his brother.
Julian Henry De Niro
Julian has taken a page from his parents’ book and tried his hand at acting — in addition to studying science and math at New York University.
He made his film debut in the 2016 movie “In Dubious Battle,” alongside James Franco, Selena Gomez and more stars.
As for the silver screen, Julian played a young Barack Obama in Showtime’s “First Lady” in 2022.
Elliot De Niro
In June 1997, Robert married Grace Hightower.
Their son, Elliot, was born in March of the following year.
The Golden Globe winner shared Elliot’s autism diagnosis in 2016. While Robert has clarified that he is not “anti-vaccine,” he said in 2017 that “something is not right” with the process.
As for Elliot, he is best known for his accomplishments as a tennis player in the Special Olympics.
Helen Grace De Niro
Robert and Hightower’s second child, daughter Helen, was born via surrogate in December 2011.
The former couple, who have kept their youngest child out of the spotlight, called it quits in 2018 after more than two decades together.
“We are entering a period of transition in our relationship which is a difficult but constructive process,” De Niro wrote in a statement at the time. “I honor Grace as a wonderful mother and ask for privacy … as we proceed to develop our roles as partners in parenting.”
Gia Virginia Chen-De Niro
Robert made headlines in May 2023 when he corrected an ET Canada reporter saying he had six kids, clarifying that he “just had a baby” and was a father of seven.
While the “Intern” star did not confirm Tiffany Chen’s maternity at the time, he has been linked to martial arts instructor Tiffany Chen since 2021.
Gayle King revealed on “CBS Mornings” later that same week that the couple named their baby girl Gia.
