When it comes to the Mount Rushmore of American cinema, few faces are as deeply etched as that of Robert De Niro. From the menacing glint of Travis Bickle to the comedic father-in-law antics of Jack Byrnes, De Niro has redefined the art of the “method” for over half a century.
As of early 2026, the two-time Oscar winner is showing no signs of slowing down. Between welcoming new life into his family and taking on dual roles in major crime dramas, the legend is entering his mid-80s with the same fierce energy that defined his youth in Little Italy.
Robert De Niro Biography
Born Robert Anthony De Niro Jr. on August 17, 1943, in Manhattan, New York, he was the only child of two visionary painters, Virginia Admiral and Robert De Niro Sr. Raised in the Greenwich Village and Little Italy neighborhoods, young “Bobby” found his calling early. At age 10, he made his stage debut as the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz, a moment that sparked a lifelong obsession with the craft.
He dropped out of high school at 16 to study under the legendary Stella Adler and Lee Strasberg, immersing himself in the “Method” style that would later see him drive real cabs, gain 60 pounds for a role, and even grind his teeth to inhabit a character.
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Career
De Niro’s career is a blueprint for cinematic greatness.
- The Scorsese Partnership: Beginning with Mean Streets (1973), De Niro and Martin Scorsese formed the most potent actor-director duo in history, collaborating on masterpieces like Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, and Goodfellas.
- The Chameleon Years: He has spanned every genre, from the haunting The Deer Hunter to the hilarious Meet the Parents franchise.
- Recent Triumphs (2025–2026): In 2025, De Niro took on a rare “double duty” in Barry Levinson’s The Alto Knights, portraying both rival 1950s mob bosses Frank Costello and Vito Genovese. He also made a major move into prestige television with the Netflix limited series Zero Day, playing a former U.S. President.
- Honorary Recognition: In May 2025, he was awarded the Honorary Palme d’Or at the 78th Cannes Film Festival for his legendary contributions to the world of film.
Robert De Niro Movies
- The Godfather Part II (1974): His first Oscar win as a young Vito Corleone.
- Taxi Driver (1976): Creating the iconic, mohawk-sporting Travis Bickle.
- Raging Bull (1980): His Best Actor win for the role of Jake LaMotta.
- Heat (1995): The historic on-screen face-off with Al Pacino.
- The Irishman (2019): A poignant reunion with Scorsese and Pacino.
- Killers of the Flower Moon (2023): A chilling performance that earned him his ninth Oscar nomination.
- The Alto Knights (2025): His latest tour-de-force playing dual lead gangsters.
Robert De Niro Net Worth
As of January 2026, Robert De Niro’s net worth is estimated at $500 million. While his acting fees remain high (reaching $20 million per film at his peak), the bulk of his empire comes from his business savvy. He is the co-founder of the Nobu franchise, which now spans over 50 luxury hotels and sushi restaurants globally, generating hundreds of millions in annual revenue. He also owns the Tribeca Grill and founded the Tribeca Film Festival.
Family
De Niro is the patriarch of a vast and diverse family. He is a father to seven children, ranging in age from their 50s to a toddler.
- Drena and Raphael: From his first marriage to Diahnne Abbott.
- Julian and Aaron: Twin sons from his relationship with Toukie Smith.
- Elliot and Helen Grace: From his marriage to Grace Hightower.
- Gia Virginia: His youngest daughter, born in April 2023.
Tragically, the family faced a major loss in 2023 with the death of his grandson, Leandro De Niro Rodriguez. In late 2025 and early 2026, several individuals were federally charged in connection with the fentanyl-laced pills that caused the tragedy.
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The Loves of a Legend
Robert De Niro and Diahnne Abbott
De Niro married his first wife, actress Diahnne Abbott, in 1976. They worked together on Taxi Driver and New York, New York. De Niro adopted Abbott’s daughter, Drena, and they had a son, Raphael, before divorcing in 1988.
Robert De Niro and Toukie Smith
Following his first divorce, De Niro had a long-term relationship with model and actress Toukie Smith. Though they never married, they welcomed twin sons, Julian and Aaron, via a surrogate in 1995.
Robert De Niro and Grace Hightower
His longest marriage was to Grace Hightower, whom he wed in 1997. Their relationship was a rollercoaster; he filed for divorce in 1999, they reconciled and renewed their vows in 2004, and then finally separated for good in 2018. Their divorce was highly publicized, revolving around a bitter multi-year battle over De Niro’s half-billion-dollar fortune.
Robert De Niro and Tiffany Chen
In 2021, De Niro found love again with martial arts instructor Tiffany Chen, whom he met on the set of The Intern. In April 2023, at age 79, he welcomed his seventh child, Gia Virginia, with Tiffany. As of early 2026, the couple remains together, frequently seen at global film events like Cannes, where Tiffany has been a supportive presence during her well-publicized recovery from Bell’s palsy.
Controversies
De Niro has never been one to bite his tongue, leading to several high-profile moments:
- The “Hush Money” Trial (2024): De Niro caused a media firestorm when he appeared outside the courthouse during Donald Trump’s trial to deliver a fiery speech against the former President.
- Workplace Liability (2023): His production company, Canal Productions, was ordered to pay $1.2 million to his former personal assistant, Graham Chase Robinson, in a gender discrimination and retaliation lawsuit, though De Niro was not found personally liable.
- Cannes 2025 Denunciation: During his 2025 visit to Cannes, De Niro sparked headlines by criticizing the “philistine” nature of global political movements that he believes threaten the independence of the arts.
Robert De Niro Age
As of January 2026, Robert De Niro is 82 years old. He will celebrate his 83rd birthday on August 17, 2026.
Robert De Niro Now
Now, De Niro is enjoying a “legacy phase” while remaining a vital creative force. He resides primarily in New York City, where he continues to be the face of the Tribeca neighborhood he helped revitalize. In early 2026, he is actively filming his next collaboration with Martin Scorsese, a documentary project, and overseeing the global expansion of his Nobu empire. He remains one of the few legends who avoid Instagram and social media, letting his work and his very loud public opinions speak for themselves.
Conclusion
Robert De Niro is the rare actor whose presence can still command a room, or a box office, well into his 80s. In 2026, he remains the gold standard for commitment, a man who has lived several lifetimes both on and off the screen.
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