Contained in the love lifetime of Robert De Niro, 79, as he welcomes child #7
5 min read
Robert De Niro’s subsequent film, “About My Father,” during which he performs comic Sebastian Maniscalco’s Italian hairdresser father, comes out Could 26 — however those that know the Manhattan-born actor say being a dad is his favourite real-life position.
De Niro, who might be 80 in August, simply introduced the delivery of his seventh baby, presumably with a lot youthful girlfriend Tiffany Chen who was noticed sporting a child bump final month.
“My jaw dropped once I heard he had one other baby,” author Shawn Levy, creator of 2014’s “De Niro: A Life,” advised Web page Six. “I imply he’s going to be 102 when the child graduates from school. I believe it’s loopy. On the similar time I’ve to say he’s completely a terrific dad. Actually one of many signature accomplishments of his life is protecting his youngsters and ex-partners shut.”
De Niro has seven kids with 4 completely different ladies — two along with his first spouse Diahnne Abbott, two extra with girlfriend Toukie Smith, and two along with his former spouse Grace Hightower, in addition to the new child.
His oldest, adopted daughter Drena De Niro, is 51 years older than his youngest.
On Monday, De Niro — who has starred in movies starting from “Taxi Driver” and “Raging Bull” to “Meet the Fockers” and “The Irishman” — corrected an ET Canada reporter who mentioned he was a father of six, clarifying that he “simply had a child.”
Chen is reportedly a Tai Chi teacher who met De Niro on the set 2015’s “The Intern,” during which she performed a martial arts teacher.
The 2 had been first linked in 2021 and Chen often is the “thriller girl” seen on a yacht off Antibes, France, with De Niro final yr.
The actor’s busy love life has included flings with fashions Naomi Campbell and Veronica Webb, “Jagged Edge” actress Leigh Taylor-Younger and Tatiana Thumbtzen, who starred in Michael Jackson’s “The Method You Make Me Really feel” video.
Although Levy mentioned the actor has managed to remain amicable and pleasant with lots of his exes, De Niro and Hightower had a prolonged and bitter divorce.
In 2018, the actor first filed for divorce from the philanthropist and former flight attendant, now 66, in 1999 — two years after their marriage and a yr after the delivery of their son, Elliot, now 25.
In 2004, although, the couple reunited, and their daughter, Grace, was born in 2011.
After separating once more in 2018, De Niro and Hightower went into divorce hell for years.
In 2021, the actor’s lawyer claimed that De Niro was compelled to work in his senior years to help along with his estranged spouse’s lavish way of life — together with her “thirst for Stella McCartney” and $1 million-plus diamond rings.
Hightower’s counsel, in the meantime, alleged that De Niro was the one spending extravagantly, touring to social engagements by non-public jet or helicopter.
Beneath the phrases of their prenup, De Niro agreed to pay Hightower $1 million a yr in alimony till she remarries or one in every of them dies.
De Niro himself was an solely baby and grew up with bohemian artist mother and father in downtown Manhattan.
His painter father, Robert De Niro Sr., was homosexual and divorced De Niro’s mom when the actor was very younger.
Father and son remained shut, nonetheless, and De Niro has been a doting dad to his personal brood.
Levy quoted De Niro in his ebook as as soon as saying: “I like my youngsters to be throughout. I don’t like them to off right here and there until they actually have a motive or a job that pulls them there. I believe the Italian factor is sweet as a result of the group stays collectively, you recognize the entire household lives in numerous residences in the identical constructing. That’s good stuff if you are able to do it.”
“The ladies with whom he’s had kids, and the youngsters, are throughout him,” Levy advised Web page Six.
De Niro’s youngsters with Abbott are Drena, 51, an actress, producer and mannequin, and Raphael, 46, a flashy Manhattan real-estate dealer.
The actor additionally shares 27-year-old twins Julian, an actor, and Aaron with actress Toukie Smith.
In 2016, De Niro introduced that Elliot, his son with Hightower, was identified with autism.
For extra Web page Six you’re keen on …
Whereas the actor has clarified that he’s not “anti-vaccine,” in 2017 he questioned the CDC’s assertion that there isn’t a hyperlink between vaccines and the onset of autism, saying that “one thing will not be proper.”
Elliot has grow to be identified for his accomplishments as a tennis participant within the Particular Olympics.
Dad and mom at Manhattan’s stylish Episcopal College, the place De Niro’s second-youngest, Helen, was a scholar when she was youthful, recall him choosing her up each day.
“He’d bike over with a bodyguard to select her up each day after college,” a mom of a scholar at Episcopal advised The Put up. “He seemed like a raveled outdated man however he was a extremely doting dad and his daughter liked him.”
The “Taxi Driver” star advised ET Canada in Could 2023 that he has to stroll a wonderful line between being “loving” and “stern” whereas elevating his brood.
“I imply, there’s no means round it with youngsters. I don’t prefer to have to put down the legislation and stuff like that. However, [sometimes] you simply haven’t any selection,” he mentioned. “And any dad or mum, I believe, would say the identical factor. You at all times wish to do the best factor by the kids and provides them the good thing about the doubt however generally you’ll be able to’t.”
In 2020, De Niro advised Those who he didn’t push his youngsters to enter present enterprise— however he didn’t discourage it both.
“I inform them, ‘If you wish to be an actor otherwise you wish to do that or that, that’s wonderful so long as you’re completely satisfied. Simply don’t promote your self brief,’” he mentioned, including: “It’s vital for them to search out their very own lane.”