Robert De Niro has seven children—four daughters and three sons—from four relationships. The Oscar-winning actor’s eldest daughter, Drena, was born in 1967, while his youngest child, Gia Virginia Chen-De Niro, arrived on April 6, 2023, when he was 79. His family includes actors, a real estate professional, and children who largely stay away from Hollywood. In November 2026, the family also faced the loss of De Niro’s former partner Toukie Smith, the mother of his twins Julian and Airyn.
How Many Children Does He Have?
Robert De Niro is the father of seven children: Drena, Raphael, Julian, Airyn, Elliot, Helen Grace, and Gia.
His children were born between 1967 and 2023, creating an age difference of more than 55 years between the oldest and youngest.
De Niro shares his children with four women: Diahnne Abbott, Toukie Smith, Grace Hightower, and Tiffany Chen.
Despite his decades of fame, the actor has generally kept his younger children’s everyday lives private.
Drena De Niro
Drena De Niro was born on September 3, 1967, and is the actor’s eldest child.
Her biological mother is actress Diahnne Abbott. When De Niro married Abbott in 1976, he adopted Drena, who subsequently took his surname.
Drena followed a creative career, working as an actress, model, and filmmaker.
She has appeared in several film projects and maintained a connection with the entertainment industry.
In July 2023, Drena experienced a devastating loss when her son, Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, died at age 19.
De Niro publicly expressed his grief following his grandson’s death.
Raphael De Niro
Raphael De Niro was born on November 9, 1976, during Robert De Niro’s marriage to Diahnne Abbott.
Unlike his famous father, Raphael established his main career in real estate.
He became a successful luxury property broker in New York City, working with high-value residential properties.
Although he has connections to the entertainment industry, his professional reputation is primarily associated with Manhattan’s competitive property market.
Raphael turned 50 on November 9, 2026.
He is De Niro’s eldest son and one of his two children with Abbott.
Julian De Niro
Julian De Niro was born on October 20, 1995, alongside his twin sister, Airyn.
Their mother was actress and model Toukie Smith, who was in a relationship with De Niro during the 1990s.
The twins were born through surrogacy.
Julian pursued acting and gained attention for portraying a younger Barack Obama in the television series The First Lady.
His work represents another connection between the De Niro family and the entertainment industry.
As of November 2026, Julian is 31 years old.
Airyn De Niro
Airyn De Niro, Julian’s twin sister, was also born on October 20, 1995.
She is the daughter of Robert De Niro and Toukie Smith.
In April 2025, Airyn publicly came out as a transgender woman, discussing her identity and personal experiences.
Her decision brought greater public attention to her life, although she had previously maintained a relatively private profile.
Airyn has also expressed an interest in modeling and developing her own professional identity.
She and Julian celebrated their 31st birthdays in October 2026.
Elliot De Niro
Elliot De Niro was born on March 18, 1998, to Robert De Niro and his second wife, Grace Hightower.
Elliot has largely remained outside the entertainment spotlight.
De Niro has publicly discussed his son’s autism, while Elliot has developed a strong interest in tennis.
He has participated in Special Olympics tennis competitions, demonstrating his commitment to the sport.
His involvement has also brought attention to opportunities for athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Elliot is 28 years old as of November 2026.
Helen Grace De Niro
Helen Grace De Niro was born on December 23, 2011, through surrogacy.
She is De Niro’s second child with Grace Hightower.
Unlike some of her older siblings, Helen has grown up largely away from cameras and entertainment coverage.
Her parents have generally avoided sharing detailed information about her education and personal interests.
De Niro and Hightower separated in 2018 after more than two decades of marriage.
Helen will turn 15 in December 2026.
Gia Virginia Chen-De Niro
Gia Virginia Chen-De Niro is Robert De Niro’s youngest child, born on April 6, 2023.
Her mother is Tiffany Chen, a martial arts instructor and De Niro’s partner.
The actor surprised many fans in May 2023 when he revealed that he had recently welcomed his seventh child.
De Niro was 79 when Gia was born.
Her arrival attracted international attention because of his age and the significant gap between his eldest and youngest children.
As of November 2026, Gia is three years old.
Toukie Smith’s Death
The De Niro family faced a loss in November 2026 following the reported death of Toukie Smith at age 74.
Smith, an actress and former model, was the mother of Julian and Airyn.
She and De Niro were together for approximately eight years, and their twins were born in 1995.
According to reports published on November 10, 2026, Smith died following a battle with multiple sclerosis.
Her death prompted tributes recognizing her modeling career, acting work, and family life.
Robert De Niro’s Marriages
De Niro married Diahnne Abbott in 1976, and their marriage ended in 1988.
He subsequently had a long-term relationship with Toukie Smith, with whom he welcomed twins.
In 1997, he married Grace Hightower. They welcomed Elliot and Helen Grace before separating in 2018.
His youngest daughter, Gia, was born during his relationship with Tiffany Chen.
These relationships span several decades of De Niro’s personal life.
His Life as a Grandfather
Robert De Niro is also a grandfather.
His eldest daughter, Drena, welcomed Leandro in 2003.
Leandro died in July 2023 at age 19, bringing profound grief to the family shortly after Gia’s birth.
De Niro has spoken publicly about the loss while continuing to maintain privacy around other family matters.
Family Life in 2026
At 83 years old in November 2026, Robert De Niro continues balancing his acting career with family responsibilities.
His seven children represent different generations, with some established in professional careers and others still growing up.
While Drena and Julian have pursued acting, Raphael works in real estate, and several of their siblings maintain more private lives.
Robert De Niro’s seven children are Drena, Raphael, Julian, Airyn, Elliot, Helen Grace, and Gia. His youngest daughter, Gia, remains a particularly notable part of his family story after he welcomed her at 79.
