Robert De Niro Opens Up About the Heartrending Loss of his Grandson Leandro De Niro Rodriguez: Grabbing Every Heartbeat

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Robert De Niro broke his silence on the death of his 19-year-old grandson Leandro De Niro Rodriguez.

De Niro, 79, expressed his deep distress over the passing of his beloved grandson Leo in a statement to We on Monday, July 3. He thanked everyone for their condolences and requested privacy during this difficult time. Leandro, the son of Robert's eldest daughter Drena De Niro, was adopted by the actor during his marriage to Diahnne Abbott. Drena, 51, had Leandro with artist Carlos Mare in 2004. Following the tragic loss, Drena expressed gratitude for the support her family has received.

"We are deeply shocked and filled with sorrow as we bid farewell to our cherished son, Leo," she stated in a message to Us on Monday. "We appreciate the overwhelming love and support we have received and kindly request that we be given space to cope with this overwhelming sadness."

Drena shared the heartbreaking news of Leandro's passing with a poignant tribute post on Sunday, July 2nd.

"My beloved angel, words cannot express the immense love and adoration I have felt for you since the very moment I sensed your presence within me. You have brought unparalleled joy and meaning to my existence, encapsulating all that is pure and authentic in my life," she expressed on Instagram, accompanied by a heartfelt photograph of the teenager. "If only I could be by your side at this very moment; if only I could be with you."

Drena De Niro and Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, as seen in a photo shared by Drena De Niro on Instagram.

In her heartfelt message, she expressed her struggle in finding a way to carry on without him. Despite the pain, she vowed to share the same love and light he brought into her life as his mother. Leandro was cherished deeply, and she wished that love alone could have been enough to save him.

In Drena's post, Mare paid tribute to their late son.

"Mare commented on Instagram, expressing that words cannot adequately convey the immense happiness our son brought us, as well as the profound void we now experience alongside our loved ones. Our son is now in the care of God," Mare wrote. "During this full moon, his spirit shines a light on what remains unseen in the darkness. LEO is an integral part of the word LOVE."

Leandro, before his demise, was continuing the family legacy by venturing into acting, just like his mother and grandfather. The young teenager had the opportunity to share the screen with Drena in various productions, such as the 2018 reimagining of A Star Is Born, the 2005 film The Collection, and the 2018 movie Cabaret Maxime.