The Seven Lives: What Robert De Niro’s Sons (and Children) Are Doing In 2025
Robert De Niro’s family life is arguably as compelling and multifaceted as his legendary film career. While the Oscar-winning actor is known worldwide for roles in cinematic masterpieces like *The Godfather Part II*, *Raging Bull*, and *The Irishman*, his most important role is that of a father to seven children, whose lives span five decades and various successful careers. As of late 2025, the De Niro family continues to make headlines, not just for their famous father, but for their own significant achievements and personal milestones, including a major, recent family announcement.
The family dynamic remains a central point of public interest, especially following the surprise birth of his seventh child, Gia Virginia, in April 2023, and the very recent, public support De Niro showed for one of his children who came out as transgender in May 2025. This article provides a deep dive into the lives of Robert De Niro’s sons and all his children, offering the most current and updated information available in late 2025.
Robert De Niro’s Children: A Complete Biography List
Robert De Niro is a father to seven children from four different relationships. The list below details his sons and daughters, their mothers, and birth years, forming a comprehensive family tree.
- Drena De Niro (Daughter)
- Born: September 3, 1971
- Mother: Diahnne Abbott (De Niro adopted Drena, Abbott's daughter from a previous relationship.)
- Career: Actress and filmmaker.
- Raphael De Niro (Son)
- Born: November 9, 1976
- Mother: Diahnne Abbott
- Career: Highly successful New York City real estate broker and former actor.
- Julian Henry De Niro (Son)
- Born: October 20, 1995 (Twin)
- Mother: Toukie Smith (via surrogacy)
- Career: Actor, notably playing a young Barack Obama.
- Airyn De Niro (Daughter, formerly Aaron)
- Born: October 20, 1995 (Twin)
- Mother: Toukie Smith (via surrogacy)
- Career: Artist and activist. Recently came out as a trans woman in May 2025.
- Elliot De Niro (Son)
- Born: March 18, 1998
- Mother: Grace Hightower
- Career: Avid tennis player; De Niro revealed in 2016 that Elliot has autism.
- Helen Grace De Niro (Daughter)
- Born: December 2011 (via surrogacy)
- Mother: Grace Hightower
- Career: Currently a student.
- Gia Virginia Chen-De Niro (Daughter)
- Born: April 6, 2023
- Mother: Tiffany Chen
- Career: Robert De Niro’s youngest child.
Raphael De Niro: The Real Estate Mogul Who Avoided Hollywood
Of Robert De Niro's biological sons, Raphael De Niro, the eldest, has carved out the most successful career outside of his father's shadow, establishing himself as a powerhouse in the demanding world of New York City luxury real estate.
Born in 1976 to Robert De Niro and his first wife, actress Diahnne Abbott, Raphael initially followed the family path, appearing in a few films, including a small role in 1995’s *The Old Man and the Gun* alongside his father. However, he quickly pivoted to real estate, a move that proved immensely lucrative. Raphael founded The De Niro Team within the prestigious brokerage Douglas Elliman Real Estate in 2004.
His team is consistently ranked among the top-producing real estate groups in the city, routinely handling high-profile, multi-million dollar transactions. This career choice allowed Raphael to leverage his name recognition while building a distinct professional identity far removed from Hollywood's spotlight. He is a key figure in the NYC property market, with his business success often cited in financial news, demonstrating his entrepreneurial prowess beyond his celebrity lineage.
Julian and Elliot: The Next Generation of De Niro Sons
Robert De Niro’s two younger sons, Julian and Elliot, represent the next generation of the family, each pursuing vastly different paths, reflecting the diverse interests within the De Niro household.
Julian Henry De Niro: The Twin Following the Acting Footsteps
Julian Henry De Niro, born in 1995, is one half of the set of twins De Niro shares with his former partner, model and actress Toukie Smith, via surrogacy. Unlike his older brother Raphael, Julian has embraced the world of acting.
Julian’s career gained significant traction when he was cast in the role of a young Barack Obama in the Showtime series *The First Lady*. This high-profile role demonstrated his commitment to his craft and his ability to land major parts on his own merit. While he and his twin, Airyn, were largely raised out of the public eye, Julian’s recent acting success suggests he is ready to step into the spotlight, continuing the family's artistic legacy.
Elliot De Niro: Overcoming Challenges Through Tennis
Elliot De Niro, born in 1998, is Robert De Niro’s son with his ex-wife, philanthropist Grace Hightower. Elliot has been a source of profound personal sharing for the legendary actor. In 2016, De Niro publicly revealed that Elliot has autism, an announcement that brought attention to the family's private life and their commitment to supporting Elliot.
De Niro has often spoken about the challenges and joys of raising a child with autism. Elliot is known to be an avid and accomplished tennis player, a passion that his father has supported wholeheartedly, often citing the sport as a key to Elliot’s development and confidence. This public disclosure of Elliot's condition highlighted De Niro's role as a dedicated father and brought a human, relatable dimension to his public persona.
The Newest Chapter: Airyn’s Transition and Gia’s Recent Appearances in 2025
The De Niro family has been at the center of two major, recent news stories in 2025, which underscores the family's evolving and supportive nature. These events provide the most current context for the De Niro family's public life.
Airyn De Niro’s Transition and Father’s Unwavering Support
One of the most significant and recent pieces of news is the transition of Julian’s twin, Airyn De Niro (formerly Aaron). In May 2025, Airyn publicly came out as a trans woman, a move that was met with immediate and unwavering support from her father.
Robert De Niro released a powerful statement, saying, "I loved and supported Aaron as my son, and now I love and support Airyn as my daughter." Airyn has since spoken out, describing her father’s support as "nonstop" and "affirming." This public affirmation from the *Taxi Driver* star is a major cultural moment, demonstrating unconditional parental love and providing a high-profile example of support for the LGBTQ+ community. This event has shifted the public conversation around the De Niro family, highlighting their commitment to acceptance and love.
Gia Virginia Chen-De Niro: The Youngest De Niro
The other major recent event is the arrival of Gia Virginia Chen-De Niro, born in April 2023, whom De Niro shares with his current partner, martial arts instructor Tiffany Chen.
Gia's birth at a later stage in De Niro's life has been a topic of curiosity, but the actor has frequently expressed his joy at being a father again. In June 2025, De Niro made a rare public appearance with his two-year-old daughter, a moment captured by the media that showed the actor in his role as a doting, hands-on father. Gia’s presence, along with the recent news about Airyn, confirms that the De Niro family is not a static entity but a continually growing and evolving one, anchored by the strong, if private, support of its patriarch. The sheer range of ages, from Drena in her 50s to Gia, who is just over two, makes the De Niro family tree a unique and fascinating study in celebrity parenthood.
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