Ask anyone to name the greatest living actor, and Robert De Niro’s name usually comes up within the first few seconds. But behind the two Oscars and the legendary Scorsese collaborations is a personal story that’s just as compelling — one that includes becoming a father at 79, surviving prostate cancer, and navigating a family tree that spans both Italy and Ireland.

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Born: August 17, 1943 · Place of birth: Manhattan, New York City · Occupation: Actor, director, producer, restaurateur · Academy Awards: 2 (Best Supporting Actor, Best Actor) · Children: 7 · Marriages: 2 (including current partner)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Born August 17, 1943, in Manhattan (Britannica)
  • Won 2 Academy Awards (Britannica)
  • Father of 7 children, including daughter Gia (2023) (Wikipedia)
  • Prostate cancer survivor (2003) (Wikipedia)
2What’s unclear
  • Net worth estimates vary ($300M–$600M) (IMDb)
  • Exact current religious practice unspecified (Wikipedia)
3Timeline signal
  • Became father again at 79 in April 2023 (IMDb)
  • Diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2003, recovered (Wikipedia)
4What’s next

Ten essential facts about Robert De Niro, one pattern: a career of remarkable depth spanning six decades.

The table below compiles verified biographical data from authoritative sources.

Full Name Robert Anthony De Niro
Born August 17, 1943
Place of birth Manhattan, New York, USA
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.77 m) (IMDb)
Net Worth (estimated) $500 million (Britannica)
Children 7 (including Gia Virginia, born 2023)
Marriages 2 (Diahnne Abbott, Grace Hightower)
Partner (current) Tiffany Chen
Religion Catholic (upbringing), not practicing
Awards 2 Oscars, 1 Golden Globe, 1 BAFTA (Britannica)

The implication: De Niro’s documented stats reveal a man whose public persona is backed by concrete, verifiable milestones.

What happened with Robert De Niro?

Health updates and recent interviews

  • De Niro became a father again at age 79 (daughter Gia, born 2023) (IMDb)
  • He revealed a prostate cancer diagnosis in 2003 but stated he is recovered (Wikipedia)

Career milestones in 2024-2025

The paradox

At an age when most men are retired, De Niro embraced the chaos of a newborn — a choice that reshapes expectations of late-life parenting.

The pattern: De Niro’s recent years show a man who refuses to slow down, both personally and professionally.

Was Robert De Niro’s mother Irish?

De Niro’s maternal heritage

  • Mother Virginia Admiral was of Irish, English, French, and German descent (Wikipedia)
  • Father Robert De Niro Sr. was of Italian ancestry (Britannica)

Italian and Irish roots

  • De Niro has said he identifies as both Italian and Irish (Britannica)
  • His childhood was shaped by both Greenwich Village artist parents (Britannica)

What this means: De Niro’s mixed heritage is a verified part of his identity, not a rumor.

Which actor had a baby at 79 years old?

Robert De Niro’s seventh child

  • In April 2023, De Niro’s partner Tiffany Chen gave birth to daughter Gia Virginia (IMDb)
  • He is the father of seven children from two relationships (Wikipedia)

Details about daughter Gia Virginia

  • Gia is De Niro’s first child with Chen; born in New York (IMDb)
  • De Niro called the experience “a blessing” in interviews

The catch: Becoming a father at 79 defies conventional timelines, but De Niro has framed it as a positive life chapter.

What was Robert De Niro’s illness?

Prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment

  • Diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2003 at age 60 (Wikipedia)
  • Underwent surgery (prostatectomy) and recovered (Wikipedia)

Health in recent years

The implication: De Niro’s early detection and treatment allowed him to continue a demanding career without interruption.

How many wives has Robert De Niro had?

Marriage to Diahnne Abbott

  • Married 1976–1988; one son Raphael (Britannica)
  • Adopted daughter from Abbott’s previous marriage

Marriage to Grace Hightower

  • Married 1997–2018; two children (Elliot and Helen) (Britannica)
  • Divorce finalized in 2018 after lengthy proceedings

Current relationship with Tiffany Chen

  • Partner since 2021; not married (IMDb)
  • Chen is a martial arts instructor and former competitive athlete

The pattern: De Niro’s marital history shows two long-term marriages followed by a committed but unmarried partnership.

Is Robert De Niro Catholic or Protestant?

De Niro’s religious upbringing

  • Raised Catholic; baptized and attended church in childhood (Wikipedia)
  • Mother was Catholic; father was non-practicing

Personal beliefs

  • Has described himself as not particularly religious in adulthood (Wikipedia)
  • No recent statements on current religious practice

What this means: De Niro’s religious identity is rooted in upbringing, not current practice.

What actor refuses to kiss on screen?

De Niro’s policy on on-screen kissing

  • De Niro has stated he dislikes kissing scenes and avoids them when possible (IMDb)
  • He finds them uncomfortable and “not necessary” for storytelling

Other actors with similar rules

  • Sean Connery and Clint Eastwood have expressed similar preferences
  • No absolute rule; De Niro has done kissing scenes in early roles
The catch

De Niro’s reported discomfort with on-screen intimacy means audiences rarely see that side of him — a quirk that has become part of his no-nonsense persona.

The implication: This preference is a known quirk, not a hard rule, and it aligns with his public image.

Timeline: Key Moments in De Niro’s Life

  • 1943 — Born in Manhattan (Britannica)
  • 1974 — Won first Oscar for The Godfather Part II (Britannica)
  • 1976 — Married Diahnne Abbott (Britannica)
  • 1980 — Won Oscar for Raging Bull (Britannica)
  • 1988 — Divorced Diahnne Abbott
  • 1997 — Married Grace Hightower (Britannica)
  • 2003 — Diagnosed with prostate cancer, treated (Wikipedia)
  • 2018 — Divorced Grace Hightower
  • 2019 — Played Robert Mueller on SNL (Wikipedia filmography)
  • 2021 — Began relationship with Tiffany Chen (IMDb)
  • 2023 — Welcomed daughter Gia Virginia at age 79 (IMDb)

The pattern: De Niro’s timeline shows a life of sustained achievement punctuated by major personal events.

What We Know and What Remains Unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Prostate cancer diagnosed in 2003, treated, no recurrence (Wikipedia)
  • Father of 7 children, including daughter Gia (2023) (Wikipedia)
  • Mother Virginia Admiral of Irish descent (Wikipedia)
  • Married twice, currently with Tiffany Chen (Britannica)
  • Height 5 ft 9 in (1.77 m) (IMDb)

What’s unclear

  • Exact net worth: estimates vary ($300M–$600M) (IMDb)
  • Religious practice: raised Catholic but current practice unspecified (Wikipedia)
  • Refusal to kiss on screen: stated preference but no absolute rule confirmed
Why this matters

For fans, the mix of confirmed and unclear means separating rumor from reality is essential — especially when it comes to health and family timelines that are easy to misread online.

The implication: Readers should rely on verified sources for De Niro’s personal details.

Quotes from De Niro and Those Close to Him

“It feels great. I’m very happy. It’s a blessing.” — Robert De Niro on becoming a father at 79 (IMDb)

Robert De Niro

“I had prostate cancer. I was lucky. I caught it early.” — Robert De Niro on his cancer diagnosis (Wikipedia)

Robert De Niro

“I told him he had to go because he was making me nervous.” — Jennifer Lawrence on asking De Niro to leave her wedding (IMDb)

Jennifer Lawrence

Tiffany Chen, De Niro’s partner since 2021, has been publicly supportive of their relationship and their daughter Gia.

For today’s readers, the takeaway is clear: Robert De Niro’s longevity — both on screen and off — is not a matter of luck. His disciplined work ethic, early health intervention, and willingness to embrace life’s surprises at every age offer a model that any actor or parent can learn from. For fans of classic cinema, the decision to keep working means the legacy is still being written.

Additional sources

facebook.com, en.wikipedia.org, youtube.com

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Frequently asked questions

Does Robert De Niro have any upcoming movies in 2025?

Yes, he continues to take roles; upcoming projects include Alto Knights and an untitled Scorsese film (IMDb).

How many Oscars has Robert De Niro won?

He has won 2 Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actor for The Godfather Part II (1974) and Best Actor for Raging Bull (1980) (Britannica).

What is Robert De Niro’s real name?

His full name is Robert Anthony De Niro (Britannica).

Did Robert De Niro serve in the military?

No, he did not serve in the military. He dropped out of school at 16 to study acting (Britannica).

Is Robert De Niro still acting?

Yes, he has never retired and continues to work regularly in film (IMDb).

What diet does Robert De Niro follow?

He has mentioned following a healthy diet and exercise routine to maintain stamina, though no specific diet plan is publicly confirmed.

Does Robert De Niro have any health issues currently?

He is reportedly in good health; his 2003 prostate cancer is in remission (Wikipedia).

Which of Robert De Niro’s movies are based on true stories?

Several, including Raging Bull (boxer Jake LaMotta), The Irishman (Frank Sheeran), and Goodfellas (Henry Hill) (Britannica).

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