The Seven Children And Three Loves: A Deep Dive Into Robert De Niro's Wives And Partners

As of today, December 18, 2025, Robert De Niro remains one of Hollywood's most enduring and private legends, yet his personal life—specifically his complex and layered relationship history—continues to fascinate fans and media alike. While the iconic actor has been officially married twice, his journey through love has involved three significant long-term partners who have collectively made him a father to seven children, a testament to a life lived fully both on and off the screen. The latest chapter in his family life, the birth of his seventh child in 2023 with current partner Tiffany Chen, brought his private world back into the public eye, highlighting a life of enduring commitment to family that spans decades and multiple relationships. This article explores the women who have been the center of De Niro's world and the large, modern family they have built together.

Robert De Niro: Full Biography and Career Profile

Robert Anthony De Niro, born on August 17, 1943, in New York City, is universally regarded as one of the greatest actors of his generation. His parents, Robert De Niro Sr. and Virginia Admiral, were both artists, providing him with an early exposure to the creative world. De Niro’s career is defined by his intense method acting, often involving extreme physical and psychological transformations for roles. Key elements of his profile include:

• Birth Name: Robert Anthony De Niro
• Born: August 17, 1943
• Birth Place: Greenwich Village, New York City, U.S.
• Parents: Robert De Niro Sr. (Painter/Sculptor) and Virginia Admiral (Painter/Poet)
• Notable Collaborator: Martin Scorsese, with whom he has made nine feature films, including masterpieces like Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, and Goodfellas.
• Academy Awards: Two wins—Best Supporting Actor for The Godfather Part II (1974) and Best Actor for Raging Bull (1980).
• Profession: Actor, Producer, Director.

His filmography is a cornerstone of American cinema, featuring critically acclaimed performances that have cemented his legacy as a titan of the industry.

Wife 1: Diahnne Abbott (1976–1988)

Robert De Niro’s first wife, Diahnne Abbott, is an American actress and singer. Their relationship began after they met on the set of the 1976 film Taxi Driver, a pivotal work in De Niro’s career. They married in 1976, marking the beginning of De Niro's first official marriage. Their union lasted for twelve years, concluding in divorce in 1988.

The Children with Diahnne Abbott

The marriage to Diahnne Abbott resulted in two children, establishing the foundation of De Niro's large family:

• Drena De Niro: Drena is Diahnne’s daughter from a previous relationship, whom Robert De Niro formally adopted. She was born in 1971 and has followed in her parents' footsteps, working as an actress and filmmaker.
• Raphael De Niro: Born in 1976, Raphael is the couple's biological son. He has achieved success in his own right, not in acting, but as a prominent New York City real estate broker.

Despite their divorce, both Diahnne Abbott and their children have maintained a strong relationship with the acclaimed actor.

Wife 2: Grace Hightower (1997–2018)

De Niro’s second marriage was to Grace Hightower, an actress and philanthropist. Their relationship was one of Hollywood’s most enduring, though it was marked by periods of separation and reconciliation. The couple first met in 1987 in London at the restaurant Mr. Chow. They dated for a decade before marrying in 1997 at their home in Marbletown, New York. This marriage was notable for its longevity, spanning over two decades, though their relationship was not without highly publicized challenges. They briefly filed for divorce in 1999 but reconciled and renewed their vows in 2004. The couple finally separated in 2018, with their divorce being finalized several years later.

The Children with Grace Hightower

Grace Hightower and Robert De Niro welcomed two children during their long marriage:

• Elliot De Niro: Born in 1998, Elliot has been a source of private pride for the family. De Niro publicly revealed that Elliot has autism, an entity he has discussed to raise awareness.
• Helen Grace De Niro: Born in 2011 via surrogate, Helen is the younger daughter of the couple.

The complexity of their relationship and the eventual divorce highlights the difficulty of maintaining a private life under the relentless scrutiny of the public eye.

The Long-Term Partner: Toukie Smith

Between his two marriages, Robert De Niro had a long-term relationship with model and actress Toukie Smith. While they were never officially married, their partnership was significant and added two more children to his growing family. Toukie Smith is a successful former model and entrepreneur. Their relationship spanned the late 1980s and early 1990s.

The Children with Toukie Smith

In 1995, De Niro and Smith welcomed twins via a surrogate:

• Julian Henry De Niro: One of the twin sons.
• Aaron Kendrick De Niro: The other twin son.

The use of a surrogate was a relatively unconventional choice at the time, showcasing De Niro's progressive approach to building his family.

The Current Chapter: Tiffany Chen and the Seventh Child

The most recent and widely reported update in Robert De Niro's personal life involves his current partner, Tiffany Chen. Chen is a martial arts instructor, specifically Tai Chi, and the two reportedly met on the set of the 2020 film The Intern, where she played a small role. Their relationship was confirmed publicly, and in May 2023, at the age of 79, De Niro welcomed his seventh child with Chen. This news made headlines globally, emphasizing his status as an active, devoted father late in life.

The Newest Addition: Gia Virginia Chen-De Niro

The couple's daughter, Gia Virginia Chen-De Niro, was born on April 6, 2023. The birth of Gia Virginia Chen-De Niro underscores the actor's commitment to his current partner and his dedication to fatherhood, regardless of his age. Tiffany Chen has been a visible presence alongside De Niro at recent public events, including the 2024 and 2025 Cannes Film Festival red carpets, where some sources have even begun to refer to her as his "wife." This suggests a deeply committed and stable relationship, continuing the actor’s pattern of long-term, significant partnerships.

The Legacy of Robert De Niro’s Modern Family

Robert De Niro’s family structure is a prime example of a modern, blended celebrity family. With two former wives and two long-term partners, he has fathered a total of seven children across four decades. The topical authority of this narrative lies in the sheer scope of his personal life, which mirrors the depth and complexity of the characters he portrays on screen. Key entities and relationships in his family tree:

• Total Children: Seven (Drena, Raphael, Julian, Aaron, Elliot, Helen, Gia)
• Partners Who are Mothers: Four (Diahnne Abbott, Toukie Smith, Grace Hightower, Tiffany Chen)
• Marital Status: Divorced twice, currently in a long-term partnership.

Despite the public curiosity surrounding his romantic life, De Niro consistently prioritizes the privacy and well-being of his children. His dedication to each of his partners and the resulting family is a powerful, if often quiet, narrative alongside his legendary career in film. The continuous updates, such as the 2023 birth and 2025 public appearances, ensure that the story of Robert De Niro's wives and partners remains a fresh and compelling topic for his global audience.