Robert De Niro recently celebrated his daughter Gia’s first birthday with a delightful party. The 80-year-old actor, who shares Gia with his girlfriend Tiffany Chen, welcomed his youngest child in April of the previous year. De Niro, one of the oldest fathers on record, shared details of the celebration with Entertainment Tonight.
De Niro described the party as “very nice” and “sweet,” with the family presenting Gia with a small cake to mark the special occasion. He expressed his joy and pride in his youngest daughter, highlighting the profound positive impact she has had on his life. “She’s pure joy,” he said. “There’s nothing about her, there’s no judgement, there’s no anything. She just is what she is, and it’s just pure joy for god’s sake.”
De Niro is a father to seven children. His eldest, Drena, 51, is an adoptive daughter he shares with his former wife, Diahnne Abbott. The couple also welcomed their oldest son, Raphael, 47, in 1976. De Niro later had twin sons, Julian and Aaron, 28, via surrogate with model Toukie Smith. He also shares two children, Elliot, 25, and Helen, 12, with his ex-wife Grace Hightower.
The actor has four grandchildren, although he suffered the tragic loss of one last July. Reflecting on parenthood during an interview with The Guardian, De Niro spoke about embracing the unpredictability of raising children. “It’s always good and mysterious, and you don’t know what the hell is going to happen,” he shared.
De Niro acknowledged that while he plays an active role in Gia’s life, Chen handles much of the day-to-day responsibilities. “I’m there, I support my girlfriend. But she does the work. And we have help, which is so important,” he admitted. He praised Chen for her efforts and highlighted the importance of having a supportive network.
The actor also reflected on the different aspects of parenting children of various ages. “With a baby, it’s different than with my 11-year-old, my adult children, my grandchildren. It’s all different,” he said. De Niro seems to relish the diversity and challenges that come with parenting at different stages of life.
De Niro’s personal life has often been in the public eye, given his illustrious career and high-profile relationships. His commitment to his family and his ability to find joy and purpose in fatherhood, even at 80, is evident in his words and actions. As he continues to navigate the complexities of raising a young child alongside his older children and grandchildren, De Niro’s reflections offer a glimpse into his life off-screen.
In summary, Robert De Niro’s celebration of his daughter Gia’s first birthday was a heartfelt and intimate affair. His reflections on fatherhood, his appreciation for his girlfriend’s efforts, and his enjoyment of the different stages of parenting underscore the actor’s enduring commitment to his family. Despite the challenges that come with being an older parent, De Niro finds joy and fulfillment in his role, cherishing the unique experiences that come with raising children across a wide age range.