The Seven Ages Of De Niro: A Full List Of Robert De Niro’s Children, Their Mothers, And Their Lives Today

Robert De Niro’s family life is as storied and long-running as his legendary film career, spanning over five decades and four different relationships. As of December 18, 2025, the Academy Award winner is a proud father of seven children, with an age gap of over 50 years between his eldest and youngest. The birth of his seventh child in 2023 at the age of 79 brought his private life back into the global spotlight, highlighting a complex, multi-generational family structure that is fiercely protected by the star.

This comprehensive, up-to-date guide details every one of De Niro's children, their mothers, their ages, and the unique details of their lives, providing a fresh look into the private world of one of Hollywood's most enduring figures. From successful real estate moguls and actors to a young toddler and children with special needs, his family is a reflection of a life lived fully.

Robert De Niro’s Complete Family Biography (Parents and Children)

Robert De Niro has been married twice and has had two long-term relationships that resulted in children. His role as a father is one he frequently calls his most important, often stressing the need to simply "support your kids."

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• Father: Robert De Niro (Born August 17, 1943)
• First Wife: Diahnne Abbott (Married 1976–1988)
• Long-Term Partner: Toukie Smith (Relationship 1988–1996)
• Second Wife: Grace Hightower (Married 1997–2018)
• Current Partner: Tiffany Chen (Relationship began c. 2021)

The Seven Children of Robert De Niro: A Full List (Oldest to Youngest)

The age range of De Niro's children is vast, with his eldest daughter being a grandmother and his youngest just a toddler, creating a fascinating dynamic within the family.

1. Drena De Niro
   • Age: Approximately 54 (Born 1971)
   • Mother: Diahnne Abbott (Adopted by Robert De Niro)
   • Career: Actress and filmmaker, known for roles in *A Star Is Born* and *The Intern*.
   • Note: Drena is Diahnne Abbott’s daughter from a previous relationship, whom De Niro adopted during their marriage.
2. Raphael De Niro
   • Age: Approximately 49 (Born 1976)
   • Mother: Diahnne Abbott
   • Career: Highly successful luxury real estate broker in New York City.
   • Note: Raphael had a brief acting career before moving into real estate.
3. Julian Henry De Niro (Twin)
   • Age: Approximately 30 (Born 1995)
   • Mother: Toukie Smith
   • Career: Actor, known for his role in the miniseries *The Mosquito Coast*.
   • Note: Julian and his twin Airyn were conceived via in vitro fertilization and born via a surrogate mother.
4. Airyn De Niro (Twin)
   • Age: Approximately 30 (Born 1995)
   • Mother: Toukie Smith
   • Career: Artist and model.
   • Note: Airyn, formerly known as Aaron, recently came out as a transgender woman, a journey that has been publicly supported by their family.
5. Elliot De Niro
   • Age: Approximately 27 (Born 1998)
   • Mother: Grace Hightower
   • Note: Elliot was diagnosed with autism, which De Niro publicly confirmed in 2016 to raise awareness. He is a keen tennis player.
6. Helen Grace De Niro
   • Age: Approximately 13 (Born 2011)
   • Mother: Grace Hightower
   • Note: Helen Grace was born via a surrogate mother.
7. Gia Virginia Chen-De Niro
   • Age: Approximately 2 (Born April 6, 2023)
   • Mother: Tiffany Chen
   • Note: Gia is De Niro's seventh and youngest child, born when the actor was 79. Her mother is a tai chi instructor whom De Niro met on the set of *The Intern*.

The Mothers Who Shaped the De Niro Legacy

The women who share parenthood with Robert De Niro are all accomplished in their own right, and their relationships with the actor span different eras of his life. The continuity of co-parenting and mutual respect is a recurring theme in De Niro’s rare public comments about his family.

Diahnne Abbott: The First Chapter

De Niro’s first wife, Diahnne Abbott, is an actress and singer who appeared alongside him in films like *Taxi Driver* and *The King of Comedy*. Their marriage lasted from 1976 to 1988. Together, they raised Drena, whom De Niro adopted, and their biological son, Raphael. Both Drena and Raphael have followed creative paths, with Raphael becoming a major figure in the New York real estate scene.

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Toukie Smith: Twins and Surrogacy

Model and actress Toukie Smith was De Niro’s long-term partner in the late 1980s and early 1990s. In 1995, they welcomed twin sons, Julian and Airyn, who were born via a surrogate. This was a notable and progressive choice at the time. The twins have carved out careers in the arts, with Julian pursuing acting and Airyn focusing on modeling and art. Airyn's recent public sharing of her journey as a transgender woman highlights the family's private and evolving nature.

Grace Hightower: A Decades-Long Partnership and Shared Challenges

De Niro’s second marriage to Grace Hightower, a philanthropist and actress, was a decades-long, sometimes tumultuous relationship that produced two children, Elliot and Helen Grace. Elliot, born in 1998, was diagnosed with autism, a challenge De Niro has spoken about with candor. In a rare interview, he shared that he wanted to be open about Elliot’s autism to help others.

The couple welcomed their second child, Helen Grace, in 2011, also via a surrogate. Though De Niro and Hightower separated in 2018, the actor has publicly stated his commitment to co-parenting, referring to Hightower as a "wonderful mother."

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Tiffany Chen: The Youngest Generation

In May 2023, De Niro surprised the world by confirming the birth of his seventh child, Gia Virginia Chen-De Niro, with his current partner, tai chi instructor Tiffany Chen. The news made headlines due to the actor's age. Chen and De Niro met while working on the 2015 film *The Intern*.

De Niro has described fatherhood with his youngest daughter as "pure joy" and has gushed about life with the two-year-old toddler. This late-in-life experience of parenting has given him a renewed perspective, stating he wants to be around for as long as he can to enjoy it. Tiffany Chen has also been open about her experience, revealing she was diagnosed with Bell’s palsy shortly after Gia’s birth.

De Niro on Fatherhood: Supporting His Kids

Despite his private nature, De Niro has occasionally offered insight into his philosophy on raising his large, diverse family. His primary rule is simple yet profound: "The main thing is to support your kids." He has emphasized the importance of encouraging them to pursue their dreams, even if they are not the ones he might have initially envisioned for them.

His children, who span five decades in age, represent a wide array of life experiences and career paths, from the world of Hollywood and New York finance to navigating personal identity and living with special needs. This multi-generational family, united by the iconic actor, continues to be a compelling, if mostly private, part of Robert De Niro’s enduring legacy.