Robert De Niro’s personal life: seven children, tragedies, and career successes
1 may 2025 в 04:37
Robert De Niro, an award-winning actor known for films such as «Taxi Driver» and «Raging Bull», - often kept his personal life private. In addition to being one of the most celebrated actors of his time, De Niro is also the father of seven children. Throughout his career, the actor remained relatively modest while bringing to life some of the most memorable characters on the big screen. In April 2023, the actor became a father for the seventh time. He welcomed a daughter named Gia Virginia Chen-De Niro with his girlfriend Tiffany Chen. Just over two months later, Robert’s eldest daughter, Drena De Niro, announced that her son Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, 19, had passed away. In April 2025, one of Robert’s children, Eirin, announced their transgender status.
Although De Niro rarely discusses his personal life publicly, there are several interesting facts about his family, past relationships and marriages, as well as his seven children. Learn more about the actor’s personal life through the detailed chronological portrait below.
De Niro married Diahnne Abbott in 1976 and became a stepfather to Diahnne’s daughter, Drena, from a previous marriage. Diahnne and De Niro met on the set of the 1976 film «Taxi Driver», - in which De Niro played one of his most iconic roles. Drena, born on September 3, 1971, took her stepfather’s surname and followed in the footsteps of both her parents.
Drena is an actress and model. Her acting career began in the mid-2000s when she played a receptionist role in the film «Grace of My Heart». Over the decades, Drena has built a strong portfolio with a range of works, including a role in the 2018 film «A Star is Born», - starring Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, as well as a role in the film «Joy», - starring her stepfather and Jennifer Lawrence. Drena is close with both her mother and stepfather, and often shares photos with De Niro on her Instagram page.
On July 2, 2023, Drena announced the death of her 19-year-old son, Robert’s grandson, Leandro De Niro Rodriguez. Drena shared Leo with New York artist Carlos Mare. Leo had a small role in «A Star is Born» alongside his mother. «My beautiful sweet angel. I have loved you beyond words or description from the moment I felt you in my belly», - Drena wrote in her emotional Instagram post. «You were my joy, my heart, and everything that was ever pure and real in my life. I wish I could be with you right now. I wish I could be with you. I don’t know how to live without you, but I will try to continue and spread the love and light that you made me feel, becoming my mother».
Drena continued: «You were so deeply loved and cherished, and I wish only love could have saved you. Forgive me, my baby. Forgive me, @carlosmare. Rest in peace and eternal paradise, my dear boy». Robert has not yet commented on the death of his grandson.
Raphael De Niro is the first child of Diahnne Abbott and Robert De Niro. The couple welcomed their son on November 9, 1976. Like his stepsister Drena, Raphael also began his career in acting. Initially, Raphael appeared in films alongside his father, including «Awakenings» and «Raging Bull». Although he started with acting, Raphael took a sharp turn in his adult career.
Raphael became a real estate broker, founding the firm De Niro Team, Douglas Elliman, described as a «real estate team with 15 years of successful experience in resale and new construction in New York», - according to their Instagram page. Among his clients, Raphael has worked with celebrities such as Jon Bon Jovi, Kelly Ripa, and others when it comes to their real estate. Raphael has been married twice and has three children with his ex-wife Claudine De Matos. When Raphael was still a teenager, his parents divorced.
After divorcing Diahnne Abbott, De Niro began dating model Toukie Smith. During their relationship, which lasted several years, Toukie became De Niro’s second wife
Although De Niro rarely discusses his personal life publicly, there are several interesting facts about his family, past relationships and marriages, as well as his seven children. Learn more about the actor’s personal life through the detailed chronological portrait below.
De Niro married Diahnne Abbott in 1976 and became a stepfather to Diahnne’s daughter, Drena, from a previous marriage. Diahnne and De Niro met on the set of the 1976 film «Taxi Driver», - in which De Niro played one of his most iconic roles. Drena, born on September 3, 1971, took her stepfather’s surname and followed in the footsteps of both her parents.
Drena is an actress and model. Her acting career began in the mid-2000s when she played a receptionist role in the film «Grace of My Heart». Over the decades, Drena has built a strong portfolio with a range of works, including a role in the 2018 film «A Star is Born», - starring Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, as well as a role in the film «Joy», - starring her stepfather and Jennifer Lawrence. Drena is close with both her mother and stepfather, and often shares photos with De Niro on her Instagram page.
On July 2, 2023, Drena announced the death of her 19-year-old son, Robert’s grandson, Leandro De Niro Rodriguez. Drena shared Leo with New York artist Carlos Mare. Leo had a small role in «A Star is Born» alongside his mother. «My beautiful sweet angel. I have loved you beyond words or description from the moment I felt you in my belly», - Drena wrote in her emotional Instagram post. «You were my joy, my heart, and everything that was ever pure and real in my life. I wish I could be with you right now. I wish I could be with you. I don’t know how to live without you, but I will try to continue and spread the love and light that you made me feel, becoming my mother».
Drena continued: «You were so deeply loved and cherished, and I wish only love could have saved you. Forgive me, my baby. Forgive me, @carlosmare. Rest in peace and eternal paradise, my dear boy». Robert has not yet commented on the death of his grandson.
Raphael De Niro is the first child of Diahnne Abbott and Robert De Niro. The couple welcomed their son on November 9, 1976. Like his stepsister Drena, Raphael also began his career in acting. Initially, Raphael appeared in films alongside his father, including «Awakenings» and «Raging Bull». Although he started with acting, Raphael took a sharp turn in his adult career.
Raphael became a real estate broker, founding the firm De Niro Team, Douglas Elliman, described as a «real estate team with 15 years of successful experience in resale and new construction in New York», - according to their Instagram page. Among his clients, Raphael has worked with celebrities such as Jon Bon Jovi, Kelly Ripa, and others when it comes to their real estate. Raphael has been married twice and has three children with his ex-wife Claudine De Matos. When Raphael was still a teenager, his parents divorced.
After divorcing Diahnne Abbott, De Niro began dating model Toukie Smith. During their relationship, which lasted several years, Toukie became De Niro’s second wife
© Artemenko Olga
