Robert De Niro shares heartfelt parenting rule after daughter comes out as transgender
The Oscar-winning actor opens up about love, acceptance, and fatherhood across generations
At 81, Robert De Niro says parenting still comes down to one simple thing: always support your children. That message has taken on new meaning after his daughter, Airyn, recently came out as transgender.
In a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight, De Niro reflected on his evolving journey as a father. With children ranging from 57 years old to just 2, he says one rule remains constant.
“The main thing is to support your kids,” he said. “As long as they’re not hurting themselves or doing anything destructive, you have to support them, period.”
His words came soon after his 29-year-old daughter, Airyn De Niro, publicly came out as transgender in an interview with Them magazine.
Airyn’s brave step into the spotlight
For most of her life, Airyn stayed out of the public eye. That changed when a media outlet outed her without her consent, misgendering her and calling her a “nepo baby.” In response, Airyn decided to tell her own story.
“I feel like I’m meant to be doing this,” she said about living openly. While she was nervous about how her famous family might react, her father’s love gave her confidence.
“I love and support Airyn as my daughter,” De Niro shared. “I don’t know what the big deal is. I love all my children.”
Airyn also expressed gratitude for how her parents protected her privacy as a child. “They wanted me to have as normal a childhood as possible,” she said.
De Niro’s youngest daughter, Gia, recently turned two. He shares her with his girlfriend, Tiffany Chen, whom he met on the set of The Intern in 2015.
Speaking about little Gia, De Niro said, “She’s just pure joy.” He added that, while parenting changes as kids grow up, the love remains the same.
De Niro and Chen began dating in 2021 and welcomed Gia quietly in 2023, making her his seventh child. Despite his fame and decades-long career, De Niro seems to find his deepest purpose in being a dad.
From dealing with Hollywood fame to navigating personal milestones, De Niro’s parenting style stays rooted in love and acceptance.
In a world where public figures are often criticized or put on pedestals, his message is refreshingly simple: support your children, no matter what. His story is not just about being a famous actor—it’s about being a present and caring father.
“They have to know that you support them. Always,” he said.
That message may be the most important role he’s ever played.
