Robert De Niro Says Raising Baby Daughter Gia Is ‘Pure Joy’ Compared to Older Kids: ‘They’re More Critical’
The actor has seven children, after welcoming baby girl Gia in April 2023 with girlfriend Tiffany Chen
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Robert De NiroRobert De Niro is opening up about being a new dad in a new age.
On the Tuesday, June 4 episode of Today, the Academy Award winner, 80, chats about his experience raising 14-month-old daughter Gia with his girlfriend Tiffany Chen.
“I always say it’s pure joy. That’s it,” De Niro says, adding that he thinks he’s an “okay” dad.
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Related: Robert De Niro Opens Up About Daughter Gia's 'Sweet' First Birthday: 'Just Pure Joy'
Asked how the actor has changed as a dad to Gia compared to his older kids, he teases, "Ask the older ones."
"Nothing is perfect in life as we all know, and my older kids, when they're older, they’re more critical. When they’re young like the baby, that’s pure joy, so I’m enjoying that," he explains.
The actor has seven children. De Niro and his first wife, Diahnne Abbott, are parents to daughter Drena, 52, and son Raphael, 47. In 1995, he welcomed twin sons Julian and Aaron, 28, with his former girlfriend, model and actress Toukie Smith. De Niro shares son Elliot, 26, and daughter Helen Grace, 12, with his ex-wife, Grace Hightower. In April 2023, the proud father welcomed Gia.
While talking to PEOPLE in February 2024, De Niro said his favorite thing to do with his children is "just being together, taking trips to warm places."
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Robert De Niro and Drena De Niro 12th Annual Tribeca Film Festival Artists Dinner“The fact that they’d all be together is everything to me," he said.
Also a grandfather, De Niro has said that the best thing a parent or grandparent can do is push their kids to reach for their dreams.
"For my kids, I tell them, 'If you want to be an actor or you want to do this or that, that's fine as long as you're happy. Just don't sell yourself short,' " De Niro told PEOPLE in January 2020. "That's the most I would say — push yourself a little more and reach for what you really think it is you want to do. Don't be afraid."
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