At 81 years old, Robert De Niro is navigating fatherhood across generations, from his eldest child, now 57, to his youngest daughter, Gia, who just turned two. And according to the Oscar-winning actor, his approach to parenting can be summed up in one simple rule: unconditional support.
In a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight, Robert De Niro opened up about his approach to parenting. “The most important thing is to support your kids,” he said. “As long as they’re not hurting themselves or others, you have to stand by them. They need to know you’re there for them. Always.”
De Niro’s comments come shortly after his 29-year-old daughter, Airyn, publicly came out as transgender in an interview with Them magazine. Speaking about her decision to share her identity, Airyn said, “It felt right. I feel like I’m meant to be doing this.” She also revealed that she was unexpectedly thrust into the public eye when a media outlet outed her without her permission, misgendering her and labeling her a “nepo baby.” In response, Airyn emphasized that people “really don’t know anything about me.”
Airyn noted that staying out of the public spotlight for much of her life was a blessing. “I’m grateful my parents chose to keep me out of the limelight,” she said. “They wanted me to have as normal a childhood as possible.”
Although she felt anxious about how her family would react to her transition, she found comfort in her father’s unwavering support.
“I love and support Airyn as my daughter,” De Niro said. “I don’t see what the big deal is. I love all my children.”
He also spoke warmly about his youngest child, Gia, whom he shares with partner Tiffany Chen. “She’s pure joy,” he said. “She’s two now and as they grow, things change but still, it’s always wonderful. Pure joy, what can I say?”
De Niro and Chen reportedly first crossed paths on the set of The Intern in 2015, where he starred alongside Anne Hathaway. Their relationship became public in 2021 after they were seen vacationing together in France. In 2023, they quietly welcomed their daughter Gia—De Niro’s seventh child.
Despite a career playing everything from mobsters to comedic icons, De Niro appears most grounded in his off-screen role as a father. With children spanning generations, his message remains consistent: unwavering love, support, and acceptance.
