In a recent interview with AARP The Magazine, legendary actor Robert De Niro shared the joy of becoming a father again at 80. Welcoming his seventh child, 9-month-old daughter Gia, with girlfriend Tiffany Chen, the two-time Oscar winner expressed the profound impact parenthood has on his life.
“It feels great,” De Niro said, acknowledging his Best Supporting Actor nomination at the Academy Awards. He revealed that looking at Gia makes everything else fade away, stating, “Everything that I’m consumed with or worried about just goes away when I look at her. It’s wondrous.”
The Hollywood icon became emotional when describing Gia’s sweet and observant nature, saying, “When she gets older — who knows? But that sweet way she has of looking at you, taking you in, thinking and watching and observing… It’s really interesting.”
Embracing Late-in-Life Parenting
De Niro surprised the public by revealing Gia’s birth over a month later during an interview with ET Canada. On the red carpet, he expressed acceptance and contentment about being an 80-year-old father, noting that raising children never gets easier, regardless of age.
“I’m okay with it. I’m good with it,” he remarked, acknowledging the unique joys and challenges that come with late-in-life parenting.
Despite his thriving career and a recent Oscar nomination for “Killers of the Flower Moon,” De Niro emphasized the transformative power of fatherhood, stating, “I’ve learned how not to worry or tax myself too much. I like to just let things happen.”
The esteemed actor will compete for the Best Supporting Actor award at the Academy Awards. “Killers of the Flower Moon” received multiple nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director for Martin Scorsese.
Who is De Niro’s Ex wife and other children’s?
Married twice, De Niro’s first marriage to Diahnne Abbott in 1976 resulted in two children, Drena and Raphael. Drena ventured into modeling, acting, and producing. Tragically, her son Leandro passed away in 2023.
Julian and Aaron, born in 1995 to De Niro and model Toukie Smith, have taken different paths. Julian pursued acting, appearing in notable projects, while Aaron maintains a more private life.
Raphael De Niro, Robert De Niro and ex-wife Abbott had a son, Raphael De Niro, born on Nov. 9, 1976. Raphael pursued a career in real estate, working for Douglas Elliman in Manhattan.
Drena De Niro, Drena De Niro, born on September 3, 1971, was adopted by Robert De Niro during his marriage to ex-wife Abbott.
Elliot, born in 1998, has autism, and De Niro has spoken about his son’s passion for tennis, highlighting its positive impact.
Helen Grace, born in 2011 via surrogate with second wife Grace Hightower, has largely remained out of the public eye.
Born in April 2023, Gia is the youngest addition to De Niro’s family. In a December 2023 interview with Rolling Stone, De Niro shared his desire to raise Gia as bilingual, given her half-Chinese heritage through girlfriend Tiffany Chen.
Conclusion As De Niro embraces the joys of late-in-life fatherhood with Gia, his journey continues to be a blend of personal fulfillment and professional success.
Read Also: Meet Molly Ringwald’s three children, Icons of the ’80s