Robert De Niro is the father of seven children, ranging from his adult children to his youngest daughter, Gia Virginia Chen-De Niro, whom he welcomed with partner Tiffany Chen in April 2023. The Oscar-winning actor has continued discussing fatherhood in recent interviews, describing how raising a young child differs from his experiences earlier in life. At 83, De Niro remains active in Hollywood while maintaining relationships with children from several stages of his life.
The Taxi Driver and The Irishman actor has six other children: Drena, Raphael, twins Julian and Aaron, Elliot, and Helen Grace. His family includes children from his marriages to Diahnne Abbott and Grace Hightower, as well as his relationship with former girlfriend Toukie Smith.
How Many Children Does Robert De Niro Have?
Robert De Niro has seven children. His eldest daughter, Drena, was born in 1971, while his youngest daughter, Gia, was born in 2023.
His children are:
- Drena De Niro, born in 1971
- Raphael De Niro, born in 1976
- Julian De Niro, born in 1995
- Aaron Kendrick De Niro, born in 1995
- Elliot De Niro, born in 1998
- Helen Grace De Niro, born in 2011
- Gia Virginia Chen-De Niro, born in 2023
De Niro adopted Drena during his marriage to her mother, Diahnne Abbott. Raphael is the couple’s biological son.
He welcomed twins Julian and Aaron with actress and model Toukie Smith. Elliot and Helen were born during his marriage to Grace Hightower, while Gia is his daughter with Tiffany Chen.
Drena and Raphael De Niro
Drena De Niro is Robert De Niro’s eldest child. She was born in September 1971 to actress Diahnne Abbott, whom De Niro married in 1976.
De Niro adopted Drena after marrying Abbott. She later pursued a career in acting, modeling, and filmmaking.
Drena has appeared in several productions associated with her father, including Wag the Dog, Showtime, and A Star Is Born.
Her son, Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, died in July 2023 at the age of 19. De Niro publicly expressed his grief following the loss of his grandson.
Raphael De Niro was born on November 9, 1976. He initially pursued acting before establishing a successful career in New York real estate.
He has worked with high-profile clients and developed a reputation in luxury property sales. Raphael has three children from his previous marriage to Claudine De Matos.
Julian and Aaron Kendrick De Niro
Julian and Aaron Kendrick De Niro were born on October 20, 1995, during Robert De Niro’s relationship with Toukie Smith.
The twins were conceived through in vitro fertilization and delivered by a surrogate.
Julian followed his father’s footsteps into acting. He portrayed a younger version of Barack Obama in the television series The First Lady.
He has also appeared in other film and television projects while developing his acting career.
Aaron has maintained a more private life than several of his siblings. In April 2025, Aaron publicly came out as transgender and began using the name Airyn De Niro.
Airyn has discussed her personal journey and her relationship with her family in interviews. Robert De Niro publicly expressed his support for his daughter.
Elliot and Helen Grace De Niro
Elliot De Niro was born on March 18, 1998, to Robert De Niro and his second wife, Grace Hightower.
De Niro revealed in 2016 that Elliot is autistic. He has also spoken about his son’s participation in tennis and the importance of supporting children with different developmental needs.
Elliot has generally remained outside the entertainment industry and maintains a private personal life.
Helen Grace De Niro was born on December 23, 2011, through a surrogate.
She is the youngest child from De Niro’s marriage to Hightower. The couple married in 1997, separated in 1999, reconciled, and renewed their vows in 2004.
They separated again in 2018.
Helen has occasionally appeared with her father at public events, although De Niro has largely protected her privacy.
Gia Virginia Chen-De Niro and Tiffany Chen
Gia Virginia Chen-De Niro was born on April 6, 2023, to Robert De Niro and his partner Tiffany Chen.
De Niro confirmed the arrival of his seventh child during an interview in May 2023, surprising many viewers who were unaware that he had welcomed another baby.
Chen is a martial arts instructor who met De Niro while working on the 2015 film The Intern.
The couple later developed a romantic relationship and began appearing publicly together.
In 2023, Chen revealed that she had experienced complications following Gia’s birth, including Bell’s palsy, a condition that causes temporary weakness or paralysis of facial muscles.
De Niro has spoken affectionately about spending time with Gia, describing how his youngest daughter brings a different perspective to fatherhood.
He has also shared that his older children have relationships with their youngest sibling.
Robert De Niro’s Family Life and Fatherhood
Robert De Niro was born on August 17, 1943, in New York City. His career spans more than six decades and includes acclaimed performances in The Godfather Part II, Raging Bull, Goodfellas, and Killers of the Flower Moon.
Despite his demanding acting schedule, De Niro has repeatedly emphasized the importance of family.
His children have pursued different paths, including acting, real estate, and careers outside public attention.
In interviews, he has acknowledged that parenting changes as children grow older and that each child requires different forms of support.
As of November 2026, De Niro has seven children and several grandchildren. His youngest daughter, Gia, is three years old, while his eldest daughter, Drena, is 55. He continues raising Gia with Tiffany Chen while remaining involved in film and television projects.
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