Robert De Niro is one of Hollywood’s most celebrated actors, but away from films and awards, he has built a remarkably large family. The Goodfellas and Taxi Driver star is the father of seven children, born across more than five decades.
His family includes actors, a real-estate professional, an athlete and children who have largely remained away from public attention. De Niro became a father for the first time in 1971 and welcomed his youngest child more than 50 years later, in 2023.
Here’s a closer look at Robert De Niro’s seven children and what is publicly known about their lives.
Drena De Niro
Drena De Niro was born in 1971 to actress Diahnne Abbott and a previous partner. When Abbott married De Niro in 1976, he adopted Drena and raised her as his daughter.
Drena followed her parents into entertainment. She has worked as an actress, filmmaker and producer, appearing in projects including The Intern, A Star Is Born and Joy.
Her connection with De Niro has extended beyond family life, with the pair occasionally working within the same entertainment circles.
Drena has also spoken publicly about her close relationship with her father over the years.
Raphael De Niro
Born in 1976, Raphael is De Niro’s eldest biological child.
He initially explored acting, appearing in a small number of screen projects. His career eventually moved in a very different direction, however.
Raphael became a successful Manhattan real-estate broker and developed a reputation for handling luxury properties. He has worked with high-profile clients and built a substantial career in New York’s competitive property market.
Unlike his father, Raphael’s professional reputation is primarily associated with real estate rather than movies.
Julian De Niro
Julian was born in 1995 during De Niro’s relationship with model Toukie Smith.
He and his twin sibling, Airyn, were born through surrogacy. Julian has followed the family entertainment tradition and pursued acting.
His credits include appearances in television and film, giving him a career path that bears a clear resemblance to his father’s.
Julian has nevertheless maintained a comparatively private public profile, choosing to build his career without constantly relying on the De Niro name.
Airyn De Niro
Airyn is Julian’s twin sibling and was also born in 1995 through surrogacy.
In April 2025, Airyn publicly came out as transgender, marking an important personal milestone that brought renewed public attention to the De Niro family.
Airyn has discussed her identity and personal journey publicly, while also pursuing her own interests outside the enormous shadow of her father’s Hollywood career.
Her story has become another chapter in a family whose members have taken notably different paths.
Elliot De Niro
Elliot, born in 1998, is De Niro’s son with actress and philanthropist Grace Hightower.
He has generally avoided the entertainment business. Elliot is on the autism spectrum and has competed successfully in Special Olympics tennis.
His sporting achievements have given him an identity separate from his father’s film career. De Niro has previously spoken about the importance of supporting his son’s interests and allowing him to pursue his own goals.
Helen Grace De Niro
Helen Grace was born in 2011 and is De Niro’s second child with Hightower.
She was born through a surrogate and has largely grown up away from Hollywood’s constant attention.
Unlike some of her older siblings, Helen Grace has not pursued a highly visible public career. De Niro has generally protected the privacy of his younger children, particularly as they have grown up.
Her relatively quiet life contrasts sharply with the worldwide fame surrounding her father.
Gia Virginia Chen-De Niro
Gia Virginia is De Niro’s youngest child.
She was born in 2023 to De Niro and his partner, martial arts instructor Tiffany Chen. Her arrival attracted enormous attention because De Niro was 79 when he became a father again.
The actor has spoken warmly about fatherhood later in life and has described spending time with his youngest daughter as a meaningful part of his life.
Gia is still a young child and has understandably remained almost entirely outside the public spotlight.
A Five-Decade Family
One of the most remarkable details about De Niro’s family is the extraordinary age gap between his children.
Drena was born in 1971, while Gia arrived in 2023. That means De Niro’s children span more than 50 years.
Their backgrounds are equally varied. One was adopted, several were born through surrogacy, and they have pursued careers ranging from acting and filmmaking to real estate and competitive sports.
Family Beyond Hollywood
Despite his immense fame, De Niro’s children have not all followed the same path.
Drena and Julian have pursued acting, while Raphael established himself in luxury real estate. Elliot has focused on tennis, and his younger siblings have largely lived away from public scrutiny.
That diversity reflects a family shaped by several relationships and different generations.
