Robert De Niro Says Raising Baby Daughter Gia Is ‘Pure Joy’ Compared to Older Kids: ‘They’re More Critical’
The actor has seven children, after welcoming baby girl Gia in April 2023 with girlfriend Tiffany Chen.
Robert De Niro is delighted to be a dad again at 80, sharing his joy about raising his baby daughter, Gia, with girlfriend Tiffany Chen.
During an episode of Today, the Academy Award-winning actor expressed that parenting Gia, who is just 14 months old, is “pure joy.” He humbly mentioned that he considers himself an “okay” dad.
Asked about how his approach to fatherhood has changed with Gia compared to his older children, he jokingly said, “Ask the older ones.”
De Niro explained, “Nothing in life is perfect, and my older kids, when they get older, they become more critical. But when they’re young, like the baby, it’s pure joy. So I’m enjoying that.”
The actor has seven children in total. With his first wife, Diahnne Abbott, he shares daughter Drena, 52, and son Raphael, 47. In 1995, he welcomed twin sons Julian and Aaron, 28, with his former girlfriend, model and actress Toukie Smith. De Niro also has a son, Elliot, 26, and a daughter, Helen Grace, 12, with ex-wife Grace Hightower. In April 2023, he welcomed baby Gia.
In an earlier conversation with PEOPLE, De Niro spoke tenderly about his family. His favorite moments are simply “being together and taking trips to warm places.”
“The fact that they’d all be together means everything to me,” he shared.
As a grandfather, De Niro emphasizes the importance of encouraging children to pursue their dreams. He advises his kids, “If you want to be an actor or you want to do this or that, that’s fine as long as you’re happy. Just don’t sell yourself short.”
He believes in pushing oneself to reach for their dreams without fear, telling them, “Push yourself a little more and reach for what you really think it is you want to do. Don’t be afraid.”
