Robert De Niro Shares One Rule While Parenting 2-Year-Old Daughter Gia

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Robert De Niro is offering his award-worthy parenting advice. 

The elderly gentleman of 81 years revealed his singular guideline for nurturing his brood of seven offspring, and this wise advice will undoubtedly melt your heart.

In a June 4 interview with Entertainment Tonight, Robert emphasized the importance of backing one’s children. He stated, “Regardless of any actions they take that may not be harmful to themselves, it’s crucial to provide them with support – full stop.

In my fervent admiration, the two-time Academy Award laureate urged me, as a parent, to be an unwavering cheerleader for my kids, even when their decisions don’t align with my own beliefs. To put it in his words, “If you’re not on board—you still need to back them up. And they must understand that you’re backing them. Unconditionally.

To date, Robert has found taking care of his two-year-old daughter Gia, whom he co-parents with Tiffany Chen (age 45), to be quite enjoyable. After all, the actor from Goodfellas characterized little Gia as a source of “nothing but pure happiness.

“She’s 2 now,” Robert continued. “It’s always wonderful.”

Indeed, the actor in question boasted a certain level of parenting skill due to his past experiences with raising young children. Beyond Gia, he is also a father to Drena, who is 57 years old, Raphael, aged 48, twins Julian and Airyn, both 29, Elliot, 27, and Helen Grace, only 13, from various past relationships.

He’s more than willing to back up each of his children entirely, but there’s a specific chore he no longer takes on – handling dirty diapers.

Indeed, when queried about collaborating with Gia, he informed The Sunday Times in November 2024, “I didn’t then, and I haven’t recently, but I did in the past.

Indeed, Robert spends quality moments with his little one by also enjoying videos from her favorite kids’ YouTube channel, which happens to be run by Miss Rachel.

“I spend my mornings watching Ms. Rachel with her,” he noted, “and I give her her bottle.”

In 2023, Robert explained to The Guardian about his involvement in child-rearing: “I’m present and I assist my partner. However, she’s the one doing most of the work. We also have help, which is crucial.

For more on Robert De Niro’s family tree, keep reading. 

Robert De Niro encountered his first spouse, Diahnne Abbott, during the filming of Martin Scorsese’s movie “Taxi Driver.” In this iconic 1976 production, she played a minor role as the ticket seller at the adult theater that Travis Bickle frequented.

They tied the knot April 28, 1976.

Apart from their individual roles, they were seen alongside each other in Martin Scorsese’s films “New York, New York” (a 1977 drama about a tortured romance) and “The King of Comedy” (a satire released in 1982).

The actor adopted Diahnne’s daughter Drena, born Sept. 3, 1971, when they got married.

Robert De Niro and Grace Hightower’s son named Raphael was born on the 9th of November, 1976. As Raphael grew older, he remembered the family relocating from Los Angeles (where his father was born) to New York (a city closely linked with his dad), around when he was approximately ten years old. He described this move as a significant “culture shock” in an interview with The Real Deal.

Raphael’s parents divorced in 1988.

Drena, who shared her first Instagram post featuring a black-and-white photo of herself dining with her parents and the then-couple Jack Nicholson and Anjelica Huston (with the caption “At that time, all I can think is WTF was I there for??”), has continued to be involved in the entertainment industry as both an actor and producer.

In her youth, she shared with Everything Zoomer, “it wasn’t your average family life we led,” but there was an abundance of affection, laughter, and chaos. She depicted her father as a tolerant and broad-minded individual, consistently welcoming of the choices people make for themselves.

Raphael ventured into the real estate business, following a familial tradition. According to his site, he heads The De Niro Team at Douglas Elliman in New York City, and he’s a partner at Manhattan’s Greenwich Hotel in TriBeCa.

The individual who is 46 years old has three children with his former spouse, Claudine de Matos, and has been in a marital relationship with stylist Hannah Carnes since March 2020.

Recognized solely by his last name, he found himself a subject for gossip magazines. Speaking to The Real Deal, Raphael said, “I simply aim to stay low-key and safeguard my personal life from public scrutiny.

Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, the son of artist Carlos Rodriguez and Drena, tragically passed away on July 2, 2023, due to suspected drug overdose. He was only 19 years old.

Approximately twenty years old, a female individual was apprehended by federal authorities two weeks subsequent to the event, on allegations of distributing controlled substances related to Leandro’s demise. This unfortunate incident, initially linked by his mother to overdose from tainted fentanyl pills.

On August 11, 2023 (what would have been her son’s 20th birthday), Drena posted on Instagram: “Thank you for the happiest and most meaningful 20 years of my life, sweet angel. I hope your soul is at rest today and forevermore, and that it is filled with joy.

Robert De Niro expressed to People magazine that his grandson’s passing was an “unexpected jolt,” sharing, “It then made me reflect on all the things I could or should have done with him. I can’t help but wonder if it would have altered anything. And that thought keeps lingering in my mind. It shouldn’t have happened.

De Niro and model-actress Toukie Smith are parents to twins Julian and Airyn, born Oct. 20, 1995. 

In April 2025, Airyn publicly identified as a transgender woman. She opened up about her experiences to Them Magazine, revealing how her journey had deepened her understanding and connection with her racial identity.

She mentioned that a significant aspect of her transformation is the impact Black women have had on her. She feels that embracing this new identity and being more proud of her African-American heritage brings her closer to these women in a unique sense.

As for who the actress aspires to be like? Her mother, of course.

At any get-together on my father’s side of the family, everyone always talks about how much they adore my mother, how unforgettable she was, and how joyful my father seemed when he was with her. This is something I aspire to be like… I long to be remembered in the same way that people remember her.

 

As a dedicated admirer, I follow Airyn’s private journey with intrigue. On the other hand, I find myself on the public stage as Julian, having just graced Broadway in the Tony-nominated play “The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window“. In 2022, I took on an extraordinary role, portraying a young Barack Obama in the Showtime limited series “The First Lady“.

In simpler terms, Robert De Niro shared with People magazine in January 2020, “I advise my children, ‘It’s alright if you dream of being an actor or pursuing other passions. Just make sure you’re truly content. Avoid undervaluing yourself.’ Essentially, strive a bit further and aim for what genuinely inspires you. Don’t let fear hold you back.

Robert De Niro is the father of Elliot (born March 18, 1998) and Helen Grace (born December 23, 2011), both children being born to him by his second wife, Grace Hightower.

On June 17, 1997, he wed the renowned actress. However, De Niro sought a divorce just two years into their marriage. Yet, prior to the formal separation, they reconciled, and they reaffirmed their commitment by renewing their vows in 2004.

They again began divorce proceedings in 2018.

When discussing the movie “Silver Linings Playbook,” where he played a father of a son with bipolar disorder, De Niro spoke candidly about having a child with special needs to Katie Couric in 2013, saying, “I don’t usually get emotional, but I truly understand what my character experiences.” In 2016, he disclosed that his son Elliott has autism.

De Niro’s seventh child was born April 6, 2023.

On her morning show on May 11th, CBS anchor Gayle King had the joy of revealing the name. She exclaimed, “How adorable is this baby!” referring to then-one-month-old Gia. Robert De Niro and his partner, Tiffany Chen, are absolutely thrilled about their new little girl.

The two-time Oscar winner, although not taking on the main tasks, was full of praise for the joy of having a baby around.

He shared with AARP, “All my concerns and preoccupations vanish whenever I gaze upon her. It’s truly a marvelous feeling.

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2025-06-05 01:47