Award-winning actor Robert De Niro recently got emotional while discussing his experience of becoming a father again at the age of 80. In a video coinciding with his appearance on the cover of AARP The Magazine's February/March 2024 issue, De Niro expressed his joy at being a parent once more and shared how it has brought him immense happiness.
De Niro spoke affectionately about his 9-month-old daughter, Gia, whom he welcomed with his girlfriend Tiffany Chen. He described the feeling of looking at his daughter and how it makes everything else fade away, calling it a wondrous experience. De Niro's emotions were palpable as he confessed that fatherhood has made his life better.
The accomplished actor has multiple children from different relationships. He is the father of son Raphael, age 46, with ex-wife Diahnne Abbott. He also has an adopted daughter, Drena, age 52, from Abbott's previous relationship. In addition, De Niro shares twins Julian and Aaron, now 27, with former partner Toukie Smith. He has two children, Elliot (25) and Helen (11), from his marriage to Grace Hightower.
De Niro's relationship with Chen began in 2021, and he surprised fans in May 2023 when he announced the birth of his seventh child. The actor reflected on his newfound fatherhood in an interview with Hoda Kotb, mentioning that age has provided him with a certain awareness of family dynamics and how to manage them.
While De Niro acknowledges the differences in raising a baby versus older children, he expressed how he cherishes the unique connection he has with his youngest daughter. He admitted that he doesn't communicate with his adult children the same way he does with Gia or his 11-year-old daughter. The actor also emphasized the importance of support and help in parenting, crediting Chen and their support system for sharing the responsibilities.
Despite his personal life attracting attention, De Niro has been actively engaged in promoting his film The Killers of the Flower Moon, which recently received 10 Oscar nominations. During the 2024 Golden Globes, De Niro found himself on the receiving end of an awkward joke from host Jo Koy. However, De Niro appeared unfazed by the humor and even shared a laugh with Chen, demonstrating his ability to take things in stride.
At 80 years old, Robert De Niro continues to leave his mark on the entertainment industry with his accomplished career and his newfound joy as a father. His candidness about the joys and challenges of parenting at his age serves as an inspiration for others and showcases the deep love he has for his children.
