Robert De Niro Admits to Parent Guilt After Raising 7 Children Across 60-Year Career

Robert De Niro is pulling back the curtain on the personal trade-offs that came with his legendary screen career. The acting icon recently opened up about the emotional weight of balancing six decades in Hollywood with raising a massive family. Speaking with *People*, the Oscar winner got honest about the realities of fatherhood across multiple generations. With seven children spanning from a toddler born in 2023 to adults in their 50s, De Niro confessed that staying fully present was an ongoing challenge throughout his career.

How many kids does Robert De Niro have?

De Niro’s journey as a father spans several decades and relationships. His eldest daughter, Drena, 54, was adopted during his marriage to Diahnne Abbott. The former couple also had son Raphael, who is now 49. Later, the actor welcomed twin sons Julian and Airyn, both 30, with model Toukie Smith. His second marriage to Grace Hightower brought two more children: 28-year-old Elliot and 14-year-old Helen. Most recently, the screen veteran expanded his family again when he welcomed daughter Gia in 2023.

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What did Robert De Niro say about parenting guilt?

When asked if he had any wisdom to share about juggling a top-tier acting career with family life, De Niro admitted there is no secret formula. According to the star, parents simply have to manage the chaos as best as they can. However, he freely acknowledged that the feeling of falling short never entirely disappears. De Niro noted that looking back at his long career, it is virtually impossible to avoid feeling a bit guilty about the moments he missed when he felt he should have been there for his kids. Despite the huge age gap among his children, the screen legend remains candid about the continuous effort required to keep it all together.