Robert De Niro's Surprise Announcement
On May 9, 2023, during an interview with ET Canada for his movie About My Father, Robert De Niro was asked about being a father of six. His correction to the interviewer—"Seven, actually. I just had a baby"—sent shockwaves across the entertainment world, confirming that Robert De Niro had a baby at 79. The nonchalant nature of the revelation was classic De Niro, sparking immediate interest and conversation. He later told Gayle King on CBS Mornings that the baby, a girl, was named Gia Virginia Chen De Niro.
The Mother of the Child: Tiffany Chen
While De Niro initially did not name the mother, it was soon confirmed that his girlfriend, tai chi instructor Tiffany Chen, was the baby's mother. The couple first met on the set of the 2015 film The Intern, where Chen had a small role teaching De Niro's character. Their romantic relationship became public knowledge in August 2021 when they were spotted holding hands on vacation. Despite their private nature, Chen later gave an emotional interview on CBS Mornings detailing her difficult postpartum experience, including a diagnosis of Bell's palsy, while De Niro expressed his support.
De Niro's Expanding Family
Gia is De Niro's seventh child, joining a large family with a significant age gap between siblings. His other children range widely in age. His oldest, adopted daughter Drena, is significantly older than Gia, with multiple decades separating them. This late-in-life fatherhood is not unprecedented for the actor, though the considerable age gap with his youngest has captured the most attention.
- Drena De Niro: Born in 1971 and adopted by De Niro when he married her mother, Diahnne Abbott.
- Raphael De Niro: Son with his first wife, Diahnne Abbott, born in 1976.
- Julian and Airyn De Niro: Twin sons with ex-girlfriend Toukie Smith, born in 1995 via surrogate.
- Elliot De Niro: Son with ex-wife Grace Hightower, born in 1998.
- Helen Grace De Niro: Daughter with ex-wife Grace Hightower, born via surrogate in 2011.
- Gia Virginia Chen De Niro: Daughter with girlfriend Tiffany Chen, born in 2023.
Hollywood's Older Fathers: De Niro vs. Others
Robert De Niro's choice to have a baby in his late 70s placed him in the conversation of Hollywood's oldest fathers. While many celebrities have children in their 50s and 60s, a few have become fathers well into their 70s. This comparison highlights different approaches to late-life parenting and the public's reaction.
| Aspect | Robert De Niro | Mick Jagger | Tony Randall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age at Newest Child's Birth | 79 (2023) | 73 (2016) | 78 (1998) |
| Child's Name | Gia Virginia Chen De Niro | Deveraux Octavian Basil Jagger | Julia Laurette Randall |
| Parental Approach | Publicly supportive, watches children's shows with toddler | Reportedly private, though shares updates with press | Open about the late-life parenting experience |
| Public Reaction | Widespread surprise and intense media scrutiny | Mixed reactions, but less dramatic than De Niro's news | Positive, but less global media frenzy |
Balancing Work and Family
After the birth of Gia, De Niro spoke about the joys and challenges of raising a newborn at his age. He has openly admitted that his girlfriend, Tiffany Chen, does most of the "heavy lifting" but that he supports her and loves spending time with his youngest daughter. He noted how the arrival of Gia has brought him immense joy, stating that when he looks at her, everything else seems to fade away. His commitment to his family, old and new, seems unwavering despite the demands of his acting career.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the answer to the question "Did Robert De Niro have a baby at 79?" is a definitive yes, making him one of Hollywood's most senior new fathers. The confirmation came in May 2023, with his representative verifying that he and his partner, Tiffany Chen, had welcomed a daughter named Gia Virginia Chen De Niro the previous month. The news drew significant media attention, but the actor has embraced his role, sharing candid details about his life as a father to a newborn. His expanding family highlights a changing conversation around late-life parenthood in the public eye. De Niro, who will turn 82 later this year (as of September 2025), is often photographed with his toddler, showing his commitment to being an active, hands-on parent.
AARP has also covered the news of De Niro's late fatherhood, emphasizing the joyous aspect of the new baby's arrival in his life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When did Robert De Niro have his seventh child? A: Robert De Niro's seventh child, Gia Virginia Chen De Niro, was born in April 2023. He publicly announced her birth in May of that same year.
Q: Who is the mother of Robert De Niro's new baby? A: The mother of Robert De Niro's youngest daughter is his girlfriend, martial arts instructor Tiffany Chen.
Q: What is Robert De Niro's youngest child's name? A: Robert De Niro's youngest child is a daughter named Gia Virginia Chen De Niro.
Q: How old was Robert De Niro when he had his most recent baby? A: Robert De Niro was 79 years old when he welcomed his seventh child in April 2023.
Q: How did Robert De Niro announce the news? A: De Niro revealed the news casually during an interview with ET Canada in May 2023 when a reporter mistakenly mentioned he had six children.
Q: What has Robert De Niro said about being an older father? A: He has spoken positively about the experience, stating that the baby brings him immense joy and that he is an engaged and supportive parent.
Q: How many children does Robert De Niro have in total? A: Robert De Niro has seven children with four different women: Drena, Raphael, twins Julian and Airyn, Elliot, Helen, and Gia.
