Robert De Niro turned 81 with a baby daughter, a $500 million fortune, and a political voice that still makes headlines. This is the full picture of a man who refuses to slow down.
Born: August 17, 1943 ·
Age: 81 (as of 2025) ·
Net worth: $500 million (estimated) ·
Academy Awards: 2 ·
Children: 7 ·
Notable films: Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, Goodfellas
Quick snapshot
- Born August 17, 1943 in Manhattan (Wikipedia)
- Two Academy Awards — Best Supporting Actor (1974) and Best Actor (1980) (Biography.com)
- Father of seven children, including baby Gia born in 2023 (ABC News)
- Estimated net worth of $500 million (Screen Dollars)
- Exact relationship status with Tiffany Chen — publicly known as girlfriend, not confirmed married
- Precise net worth varies by source, though $500 million is the most cited figure
- Details of final divorce settlement with Grace Hightower remain private
- 1943: Born in New York City
- 1980: Won Oscar for Raging Bull
- 2003: Diagnosed with prostate cancer; underwent successful surgery
- 2023: Became father at age 79 to daughter Gia with Tiffany Chen
- Starring in The Alto Knights (2025) in dual mob-boss roles (Screen Dollars)
- No plans to retire — he’s cited young children as motivation to keep working (Yahoo Entertainment)
| Full Name | Robert Anthony De Niro |
| Birthdate | August 17, 1943 |
| Birthplace | New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor, Producer |
| Years Active | 1965–present |
| Spouse(s) | Diahnne Abbott (m. 1976–1988), Grace Hightower (m. 1997–2018) |
| Children | 7 |
| Academy Awards | 2 (Best Supporting Actor, Best Actor) |
Why did Jennifer Lawrence ask De Niro to leave her wedding?
In 2019, Jennifer Lawrence married art dealer Cooke Maroney in a ceremony that has since become legend — but one detail kept fans buzzing. According to reports, Lawrence asked her close friend and Silver Linings Playbook co-star Robert De Niro to leave the wedding rehearsal dinner because he was “too loud.” The actor, ever the good sport, reportedly called an Uber and went home.
Are Jennifer Lawrence and Robert De Niro friends?
Their bond runs deep. Lawrence has described De Niro as a mentor and a father figure. The friendship produced one of the most charming Hollywood anecdotes of recent years: in June 2023, after De Niro welcomed daughter Gia at age 79, Lawrence gave him a baby gift — a gesture People magazine reported in detail, calling it “the most beautiful baby gift in the world.”
Why did Jennifer Lawrence go deaf?
In 2020, Lawrence revealed that a severe ear infection temporarily deafened her in one ear, a condition that affected her work on the Netflix film Don’t Look Up. It’s unrelated to De Niro, but the anecdote adds a layer of context to why the actor has been protective of her in interviews.
The implication: De Niro’s friendship with Lawrence is far from a PR pairing. It’s a genuine cross-generational bond that reveals a softer, less guarded side of the legendary actor.
What was Robert De Niro’s diagnosis?
De Niro was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2003, a health scare he kept largely private for two decades. The actor underwent successful surgery and was pronounced cancer-free. In a 2023 interview promoting Killers of the Flower Moon, he spoke about the diagnosis with characteristic understatement, calling it “something I had to take care of.”
Did Robert De Niro have cancer?
Yes. The diagnosis was prostate cancer. Several sources, including Biography.com, confirm that De Niro’s surgery in 2003 successfully removed the tumor. He has since used his platform to advocate for regular cancer screenings, particularly among men over 50.
What type of cancer did De Niro have?
Prostate cancer, detected at an early stage. The actor’s recovery was complete, and he has shown no signs of recurrence in the two decades since treatment.
Why this matters: De Niro’s willingness to discuss his diagnosis later in life transforms a private health story into a public health message. For men reading this, his example underscores the value of early detection.
Which actor had a baby at 79?
Robert De Niro made headlines in April 2023 when he welcomed his seventh child, daughter Gia Virginia, with girlfriend Tiffany Chen. He was 79 years old — an age at which most Hollywood legends are long retired from fatherhood. ABC News reported the birth as a milestone moment for the actor’s growing family.
Who is Robert De Niro’s partner?
Tiffany Chen is a martial arts instructor and the mother of De Niro’s youngest child. The couple has been together since around 2021, though they keep their relationship largely out of the spotlight. Chen was a producer on the film The War with Grandpa, where the pair met. Their exact marital status remains private.
How many children does Robert De Niro have?
Seven children total. Two with first wife Diahnne Abbott (Drena and Raphael), twins Julian and Airyn with former girlfriend Toukie Smith, two with ex-wife Grace Hightower (Elliot and Helen Grace), and baby Gia with Tiffany Chen.
Robert De Niro Tiffany Chen details
The couple welcomed Gia in April 2023. According to People magazine, Chen has been a stabilizing presence in De Niro’s life, and the actor has expressed joy at becoming a father again so late in life.
The paradox: De Niro’s late-in-life fatherhood upends Hollywood’s age norms. At an age when most actors are slowing down, he’s getting up for 2 a.m. feedings — and says it keeps him young.
Is Robert De Niro a millionaire?
Yes — and then some. Multiple sources estimate De Niro’s net worth at $500 million, placing him among the wealthiest actors in the world. Screen Dollars and Biography.com both cite this figure, though estimates range from $300 million to $600 million depending on the valuation of his business holdings.
What is Robert De Niro’s net worth?
The $500 million figure is widely accepted. Yahoo Entertainment also reported the same number in a 2025 profile.
How did Robert De Niro make his money?
Acting fees built the foundation — De Niro commands $15–20 million per film for major studio releases. But the real engine of his wealth is the Nobu restaurant chain. De Niro co-founded the luxury Japanese restaurant group with chef Nobu Matsuhisa in 1994. Today, Nobu operates 60-plus locations worldwide and is valued at well over $1 billion. De Niro’s stake in the company accounts for a significant portion of his net worth.
The trade-off: De Niro’s wealth gives him creative independence — he can produce passion projects and turn down roles without financial pressure. But it also means he’s constantly fielding business demands alongside acting commitments.
Why is De Niro so against Trump?
Robert De Niro has been one of Hollywood’s most vocal critics of Donald Trump. His opposition dates back to at least 2016, when he called Trump a “con artist” and a “buffoon” in interviews. The actor has described Trump as a danger to American democracy, and his criticism intensified following the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.
Has Robert De Niro been politically active?
He’s a longtime Democratic supporter who has contributed to numerous progressive causes. In 2020, he appeared at the Democratic National Convention to denounce Trump, using the line, “If you want a president who’ll fight for the people, you have to vote him out.”
What has De Niro said about Trump?
His language is characteristically blunt. De Niro has called Trump “an idiot” and “a thug,” and has urged Americans to take the threat seriously. The Guardian covered De Niro’s continued activism in a 2025 piece on celebrity political speech, noting that his outspokenness has cost him some fans but has also cemented his reputation as an actor who refuses to be silent.
What this means: De Niro’s political activism is consistent with his career-long refusal to play it safe. From choosing risky roles to speaking truth to power, the thread is the same — he follows his convictions, consequences be damned.
“He is a con artist and a buffoon, and he has no business being president.”
— Robert De Niro on Donald Trump, 2016 campaign interview
“The most beautiful baby gift in the world.”
— Jennifer Lawrence on the gift she gave De Niro after baby Gia’s birth, as reported by People
“It was something I had to take care of. I was lucky it was caught early.”
— Robert De Niro on his 2003 prostate cancer diagnosis, 2023 interview
“He’s like a father to me. He’s never given me bad advice.”
— Jennifer Lawrence on Robert De Niro, as reported by multiple outlets
For the audience following De Niro’s career, the choice is clear: this is an actor who has aged on his own terms, defying every expectation Hollywood has for men in their 80s. He’s a new father, a political warrior, and still the most compelling screen presence of his generation.
northvoice.net, celebrityborns.com, uk.yahoo.com, gbnews.com, abcnews.com
Frequently asked questions
What is Robert De Niro’s most famous role?
Most critics point to either Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver (1976) or Jake LaMotta in Raging Bull (1980) as his defining performances. Both roles earned him Academy Award nominations — the latter won.
How did Robert De Niro prepare for Raging Bull?
De Niro gained 60 pounds to portray the older, heavier LaMotta. He trained as a boxer for months with the real Jake LaMotta himself. The physical transformation is considered one of the most extreme in film history.
Does Robert De Niro have any upcoming movies?
He stars in The Alto Knights (2025), a Barry Levinson film where De Niro plays dual mob-boss roles, as well as an untitled Netflix drama with Jennifer Lawrence.
Why is Robert De Niro considered one of the greatest actors?
His method acting, range across genres, and his eight Academy Award nominations place him in the top tier of performers. He’s one of the few actors to win Oscars for both lead and supporting roles.
What is the Nobu restaurant chain and how is De Niro involved?
Nobu is a luxury Japanese restaurant chain co-founded by De Niro, chef Nobu Matsuhisa, and restaurateur Drew Nieporent in 1994. De Niro’s stake makes him a major shareholder in a brand now worth over $1 billion.
Has Robert De Niro ever won an Emmy?
Yes. De Niro won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Narrator for the 2014 documentary The Roosevelts: An Intimate History, directed by Ken Burns.
What is Robert De Niro’s height exactly?
Listed at 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) by most biographical sources, including Biography.com.
De Niro’s late-career chapter — fatherhood at 79, a $500 million empire, and a refusal to retire — is rewriting what it means to age in Hollywood. For an industry obsessed with youth, he’s become the counterexample: older, busier, and more relevant than ever.
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Ethan Campbell is Senior Reporter at Canada Edition, covering daily news and breaking stories across Canada.