Robert De Niro recently celebrated his 81st birthday in a memorable way, marked by a delightfully ungraceful dive off a yacht. The splashy moment was captured on video by his eldest daughter, Drena De Niro.
“Happy 81st Birthday to my Dad and my ultimate ride-or-die! Love you with all my heart ♥️♥️♥️ #BobbyD forever ✨👑✨,” Drena, 56, shared on Instagram this past Saturday, August 17. Her post showcased a lively snapshot of Robert in midair, taking the plunge in eye-catching orange-and-blue striped swim trunks. The joyful dive, though far from elegant, perfectly epitomized the celebratory spirit of the day.
One video captured the Oscar winner making his dive off the boat, eliciting cheers from the onlookers. Drena could be heard exclaiming off-camera, “He’s so crazy!” As her father surfaced in the water, she called down to him to check if he was alright. He responded with a grin, “Yeah, I’m okay!” The exchange added a warm and humorous touch to the celebratory scene.
Robert De Niro adopted Drena when she was just five years old, following his marriage to her mother, Diahnne Abbott, in 1976. Their union also brought about the birth of Drena’s younger brother, Raphael, who is now 47. However, their marriage ended in divorce in 1988. Despite the split, Robert has remained a dedicated and loving father to both Drena and Raphael. Over the years, the bond between Robert and his children has remained strong, with Drena often sharing heartfelt moments and celebrations with her dad, such as the recent birthday festivities.
Robert De Niro has a diverse and growing family. He shares twin sons, Julian and Aaron, who are 28, with his former girlfriend Toukie Smith. With his ex-wife Grace Hightower, he has a son, Elliot, now 26, and a 12-year-old daughter, Helen Grace. His most recent addition is 16-month-old Gia, whom he shares with his current girlfriend, Tiffany Chen.
In a February 7 interview with People, De Niro spoke warmly about Gia, describing her as “such an adorable baby. So sweet.” He shared that spending time with her brings him immense joy and relief, noting that when he looks at her, “everything else goes away.” The simple pleasure of being present with Gia has brought a deep sense of contentment to his life.
In addition to his seven children, Robert De Niro is a grandfather to four grandchildren. His son Raphael has three children, and Drena has one, a son named Leandro De Niro Rodriguez. Tragically, Leandro passed away in July 2023 at the age of 19 due to an accidental drug overdose. The loss has been a profound and heartbreaking event for the De Niro family.
Last month, Drena De Niro marked the first anniversary of her son Leandro’s death with a heartfelt tribute on Instagram. She wrote, “Today we celebrated sweet wild boy Leo 🖤… In your short time here, you made the world a brighter place.” Leandro, who was Drena’s only child with artist Carlos Rodriguez, is remembered fondly for the joy he brought to those around him.
At the time of Leandro’s passing, Robert De Niro also expressed his sorrow. In a statement to Us Weekly, he said, “I’m deeply distressed by the passing of my beloved grandson Leo. We’re greatly appreciative of the condolences from everyone. We ask that we please be given privacy to grieve our loss of Leo.” The family has been navigating their grief with both public and private support during this challenging time.