Robert De Niro Shares His Golden Rule for Parenting Seven Kids

Any parent will tell you that what you think you know about raising kids often shifts the moment you actually have one. The things you swore you’d never do (hello, screentime) quickly become part of everyday life. And with each child, you learn a little more: how to listen better, let go a bit and focus on what really matters.

Robert De Niro, now 81 and a father of seven ranging in age from 2 to 53, has clearly picked up a few lessons over the years. In a recent interview, the Meet the Parents star opened up about the guiding principle that’s shaped how he shows up for his kids.

“Well, there’s certain things you can do and certain things you can’t do. The main thing is to support your kids,” he told Entertainment Tonight. “As long as they’re not hurting themselves, doing anything destructive or anything like that, you have to support them. Period."

“Even if you don’t go with it or think that they are going at it, whatever it is, you have to support them. And they have to know that you support them. Always.”

De Niro’s parenting journey spans decades. He shares daughter Drena, 53, and son Raphael, 48, with his first wife, Diahnne Abbott; twins Julian and Aaron, 29, with former partner Toukie Smith; and son Elliot, 27, and daughter Helen Grace, 13, with ex-wife Grace Hightower.

And in 2023, De Niro surprised many after he welcomed his youngest daughter, Gia, with girlfriend Tiffany Chen at 79 years old. The Oscar winner later shared that he’s “loving it” and that being an older dad has brought a new sense of patience and perspective.