Robert De Niro's Extraordinary Blended Family: Discover the Actor's 7 Children and the Women who Shaped his Life

Full house! Robert De Niro, renowned actor in Hollywood, not only excels in his profession but also takes great joy in being a father of seven.

In 1976, the Oscar-winning actor embraced parenthood for the first time when he had a son named Raphael with his former wife, Diahnne Abbott. Their marriage came about while collaborating on the movie Taxi Driver. Additionally, De Niro lovingly adopted Abbott's daughter, Drena, from her previous relationship.

After parting ways with the singer in 1988, De Niro entered into a relationship with Toukie Smith. They became parents to twins Aaron and Julian through surrogacy in 1995. However, the couple separated just one year after their sons' birth.

Following his split with the model, De Niro had casual dating experiences but eventually found stability with Grace Hightower. They exchanged vows in 1997, and a year later, the philanthropist gave birth to their son, Elliot. Unfortunately, De Niro filed for divorce in 1999, seeking custody of his fifth child. Nevertheless, he and Hightower rekindled their love and renewed their marital vows in 2004. In 2011, they were blessed with the arrival of their daughter, Helen.

De Niro and Hightower ended their reconciliation in 2018, putting an end to their 20-year marriage.

"We share the joy of raising two beautiful children. Our relationship is going through a challenging but necessary phase of transition," the Golden Globe winner stated in a message to We.

After his breakup from Hightower, the Irish actor spoke exclusively to Us about his experiences as a father with a large family.

"I cherish spending time with my children," he expressed in April 2019. "It can be challenging at times. There are moments of fun and immense love, but there are also times when you feel frustrated. However, the good moments overshadow the not-so-good ones."

In May 2023, during an interview with ET Canada, the renowned actor of Goodfellas, Robert De Niro, disclosed that he had secretly become a father for the seventh time. Initially mentioned to have six children, De Niro corrected the record, stating that he in fact had seven children, mentioning that he had recently welcomed a baby. At the age of 79, De Niro confirmed to Gayle King of CBS in the same month that he and his girlfriend Tiffany Chen, whom he started dating in 2021, were joyfully celebrating the arrival of their daughter, Gia, born in April 2023.

Keep scrolling to get to know all of De Niro’s children and their mothers:

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A Guide to Robert De Niro's Blended Family: Meet the Actor’s 7 Children and Their Mothers

Robert De Niro, a renowned Hollywood actor, proudly embraces his role as a father to seven children, in addition to his illustrious career. In 1976, he entered parenthood with the birth of his son Raphael, with his former wife Diahnne Abbott, whom he married following their collaboration on the movie Taxi Driver. Furthermore, De Niro compassionately adopted Abbott's daughter, Drena, from her previous partnership.

Following his split from the singer in 1988, De Niro began a relationship with Toukie Smith. The couple became parents to twins Aaron and Julian through a surrogate in 1995. However, their relationship ended a year later.

After his breakup with Smith, De Niro briefly dated before settling down with Grace Hightower. They got married in 1997, just a year before the birth of their son, Elliot. In 1999, the actor filed for divorce and sought custody of his fifth child. However, De Niro and Hightower reconciled and renewed their vows in 2004. They later had a daughter named Helen in 2011.

De Niro and Hightower's reconciliation came to an end in 2018, marking the final chapter of their 20-year marriage.

"We share the blessing of two wonderful children. Our relationship is now undergoing a challenging but necessary process of change," stated the Golden Globe recipient to We at that time.

In April 2019, after his separation from Hightower, the Irish actor spoke exclusively to Us about his experience as a father, managing a large family.

"I adore my children, simply being in their company," he exclaimed. "It's certainly not without its challenges. Sometimes it's enjoyable and you have a deep love for your kids, and other times you feel overwhelmed! But when you have those special moments, the not-so-great ones fade away."

In a revelation four years later, the renowned actor from Goodfellas disclosed that he had discreetly become a father for the seventh time. During an interview with ET Canada in May 2023, De Niro was initially questioned about his "six kids" but promptly corrected the number. "Actually, it's seven. I just had a baby," he responded. (The star of About My Father was 79 years old at that time.)

De Niro later affirmed to Gayle King of CBS in the same month that he and his girlfriend Tiffany Chen, who they commenced dating in 2021, were joyfully embracing parenthood with the arrival of their daughter Gia in April 2023.

Keep scrolling to get to know all of De Niro's children and their mothers:

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Drena De Niro

Drena, born in 1971, was adopted by the Meet the Parents actor five years later, taking on his last name. Following in De Niro's footsteps, she pursued a career in acting and has appeared in numerous films such as Grace of My Heart, The Intern, A Star Is Born, and more. In 2003, Drena welcomed her son, Leandro, making De Niro a proud grandfather. Tragically, in July 2023, Drena announced the heartbreaking news of Leandro's passing at the age of 19.

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Raphael De Niro

In 1976, De Niro and Abbott had their first child and got married. Raphael grew up to become a real estate broker and founder of The De Niro Team, as stated on his website.

After his marriage to Claudine de Matos from 2008 to 2015, Raphael has three children with her. He then got married to stylist Hannah Carnes in March 2020.

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Aaron Kendrick De Niro

Aaron and his twin brother, Julian, were born in October 1995. De Niro and Smith welcomed their sons via surrogate. 

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Julian Henry De Niro

A fellow actor, Julian portrayed young Barack Obama in the Showtime series The First Lady and had a small role in the 2016 film In Dubious Battle.

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Elliot De Niro

Hightower gave birth to Elliot in 1997. Neatly 20 years later, the Silver Linings Playbook actor revealed his son was diagnosed with autism.

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Helen Grace De Niro

De Niro and Hightower welcomed Helen via surrogate in 2011.

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Gia Virginia Chen-De Niro

The Meet the Fockers star became a father for the seventh time with the arrival of his and Chen’s daughter, Gia, in April 2023.