Robert De Niro has recently become a father to his seventh child. During an interview with ET Canada, the 79-year-old Academy Award winner discussed his most recent film, About My Father, and the challenges of parenting. He shared that as a parent, there are times when you have to lay down the law, even if you don’t want to. “You always want to do the right thing by the children and give them the benefit of the doubt, but sometimes you can’t,” he said.
When asked about his six children, De Niro corrected the interviewer, revealing that he actually has seven children. He did not provide any further details about the newest addition to his family or the partner he welcomed the child with.
De Niro has six children from previous relationships. With his first wife, Diahnne Abbott, he shares a daughter, Drena (51), and a son, Raphael (46). With his former girlfriend, model and actress Toukie Smith, he welcomed twin sons Julian and Aaron (27) in 1995. De Niro also has a son, Elliot (24), and a daughter, Helen Grace (11), with his ex-wife, Grace Hightower.
As a grandparent, De Niro believes in encouraging his children and grandchildren to pursue their dreams and push themselves. “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,” he said. He also emphasized the importance of finding one’s own path in life.
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