Is Robert De Niro married? As of the latest available information in September 2026, the legendary actor is not currently married. The two-time Oscar winner has been married twice in his life, first to actress Diahnne Abbott and later to Grace Hightower. Today, De Niro is in a long-term relationship with Tiffany Chen, a martial arts expert and actress, and the couple share a daughter, Gia Virginia Chen-De Niro.
De Niro, one of the most recognizable figures in American cinema, has spent more than five decades in the spotlight. While his professional accomplishments have been extensively documented, he has traditionally kept his personal life much more private. His current relationship has nevertheless attracted considerable attention, particularly since the couple welcomed their daughter in 2023.
Is Robert De Niro Married Right Now?
No. Robert De Niro is currently unmarried.
The actor’s most recent marriage was to Grace Hightower. Their relationship lasted for many years and included a separation, reconciliation and eventual divorce. Since that marriage ended, De Niro has not publicly announced another wedding.
He is currently romantically involved with Tiffany Chen. The couple has maintained a relatively private relationship but has occasionally appeared together at major entertainment events and public gatherings.
Their relationship has also become more visible because they are parents to Gia, De Niro’s youngest child.
There has been no confirmed announcement of a marriage between De Niro and Chen. As a result, descriptions of Chen as De Niro’s wife should be treated cautiously unless the couple themselves confirms such a development.
Who Is Tiffany Chen?
Tiffany Chen is a martial artist and actress whose background is quite different from that of a typical Hollywood celebrity partner.
Chen comes from a prominent martial arts family and developed extensive experience in tai chi and other disciplines. Her connection with De Niro began professionally before their romantic relationship became public.
The pair first crossed paths while working on the 2015 movie The Intern. Chen was involved in the film’s tai chi material, while De Niro played Ben Whittaker, a retired executive who becomes an intern at a fashion company.
Their professional meeting did not immediately result in a public romance. According to accounts from Chen, the relationship developed later after they reconnected.
By the early 2020s, De Niro and Chen were being linked romantically.
When Did Robert De Niro and Tiffany Chen Start Dating?
De Niro and Chen have been romantically linked since around 2021.
The relationship initially received limited public attention because both individuals have generally kept their private lives away from constant media coverage. Their connection became much more visible after Chen became pregnant with their child.
The couple eventually appeared together at public events, giving fans and entertainment observers a clearer picture of their relationship.
Their first major public appearances as a couple came around the time they welcomed their daughter, and they have continued to make occasional joint appearances since then.
Unlike some celebrity couples who frequently share details of their personal lives, De Niro and Chen have largely maintained a low-key approach.
Robert De Niro and Tiffany Chen’s Daughter
One of the biggest developments in De Niro’s personal life came in 2023, when he became a father for the seventh time.
De Niro and Chen welcomed their daughter, Gia Virginia Chen-De Niro, on April 6, 2023.
The news initially came as a surprise because De Niro had not extensively discussed the pregnancy beforehand. During an interview that year, the actor corrected an interviewer who referred to him as the father of six children, revealing that he had recently welcomed another baby.
Gia is the youngest member of De Niro’s large family.
The actor has spoken positively about fatherhood in his later years and has described spending time with his youngest daughter as an especially joyful experience. He has also discussed the realities of parenting while continuing to work in an industry that frequently requires travel and long production schedules.
How Many Children Does Robert De Niro Have?
Robert De Niro has seven children.
His family has been built through several relationships over the course of his life. His children include:
- Drena De Niro
- Raphael De Niro
- Aaron De Niro
- Julian De Niro
- Elliot De Niro
- Helen Grace De Niro
- Gia Virginia Chen-De Niro
Drena is De Niro’s adopted daughter from his marriage to Diahnne Abbott. Raphael is his son with Abbott.
De Niro later became the father of twin sons, Aaron and Julian, with former partner Toukie Smith.
His marriage to Grace Hightower produced two children, Elliot and Helen Grace.
Gia, his youngest child, was born during his relationship with Tiffany Chen.
This blended family spans several generations and reflects the different stages of De Niro’s personal life.
Robert De Niro’s First Marriage to Diahnne Abbott
De Niro’s first marriage was to actress Diahnne Abbott.
The couple married in 1976, during a period when De Niro’s acting career was rapidly developing. Abbott appeared in several films and was also part of the New York acting community surrounding De Niro.
During their marriage, De Niro adopted Abbott’s daughter, Drena. The couple later welcomed their son Raphael.
Their marriage ended in divorce in 1988.
Although the relationship eventually ended, Abbott played an important role in De Niro’s early family life and the actor’s transition into fatherhood.
Robert De Niro’s Marriage to Grace Hightower
De Niro’s second marriage was to Grace Hightower.
The pair married in 1997 after developing a relationship during the 1990s. Hightower had worked in several fields, including entertainment and hospitality, and later became known internationally through her marriage to De Niro.
Their relationship was not always straightforward.
De Niro and Hightower separated in 1999, but the two eventually reconciled. They later renewed their wedding vows, demonstrating that the relationship had continued despite their earlier difficulties.
They had two children together: Elliot and Helen Grace.
Eventually, however, the marriage came to an end. De Niro and Hightower separated again, and their divorce was finalized in 2018.
The marriage represented De Niro’s longest publicly documented marital relationship.
How Many Times Has Robert De Niro Been Married?
Robert De Niro has been married twice.
His first marriage was to Diahnne Abbott, from 1976 to 1988.
His second marriage was to Grace Hightower. They married in 1997 and ultimately divorced in 2018.
De Niro has also had serious relationships outside marriage, including his relationship with Toukie Smith, with whom he had twin sons.
His current relationship with Tiffany Chen has also resulted in a child, but the pair have not publicly announced a marriage.
Why Robert De Niro’s Relationship Status Gets Attention
De Niro’s personal life continues to attract interest partly because of his enormous influence in Hollywood.
He has appeared in some of the most acclaimed films in American cinema, including Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, Goodfellas, The Godfather Part II, Casino and The Irishman. His career has earned him two Academy Awards and established him as one of the defining actors of his generation.
Because he rarely provides extensive commentary about his private relationships, even relatively small developments can generate substantial interest.
His relationship with Chen became particularly noteworthy after the birth of their daughter. De Niro also continued appearing publicly with Chen at selected events, giving fans occasional glimpses of their family life.
Robert De Niro and Tiffany Chen in 2026
The couple remains together as of the latest available information in 2026.
They have been photographed together at several events, including entertainment gatherings in New York. Their appearances have remained relatively infrequent compared with celebrity couples who regularly document their relationships online.
In 2026, De Niro and Chen were also seen enjoying time together in New York. Their continued public appearances indicate that their relationship remains an important part of the actor’s personal life.
The couple’s approach is noticeably private. They do not regularly provide detailed updates about their relationship, and there has been no public announcement of an engagement or wedding.
For that reason, current reports continue to describe Chen as De Niro’s girlfriend or partner rather than his wife.
Has Robert De Niro Secretly Married Tiffany Chen?
There is no confirmed public evidence that Robert De Niro and Tiffany Chen have secretly married.
Celebrity marriage rumors can spread quickly, especially when a famous actor has been in a long-term relationship. However, a private ceremony or legal marriage should not be presented as fact without confirmation from reliable reporting or the couple themselves.
At present, the publicly established facts are straightforward: De Niro and Chen are partners, they have a daughter together, and De Niro has not publicly announced a new marriage.
That means anyone searching “is Robert De Niro married” should distinguish between his past marital history and his current relationship status.
Robert De Niro’s Approach to Fatherhood
Fatherhood has remained an important part of De Niro’s life.
Despite his demanding acting career, the actor has frequently spoken about his children. Having become a father across several different stages of his life, De Niro now has children ranging from adults to a young daughter.
His relationship with Gia has brought a new chapter to his experience as a parent.
De Niro has spoken warmly about spending time with her and has acknowledged the challenges of balancing work with family responsibilities. His comments suggest that he remains deeply involved in his children’s lives despite maintaining a busy professional schedule.
His family life is therefore an important part of understanding his current circumstances, particularly because his youngest child was born while he was already an established veteran of Hollywood.
A Look at Robert De Niro’s Relationship Timeline
1976: Marriage to Diahnne Abbott
De Niro married actress Diahnne Abbott and became a father to Drena, whom he adopted, and Raphael.
1988: Divorce From Abbott
The couple’s marriage ended after more than a decade.
Late 1980s and 1990s: Relationship With Toukie Smith
De Niro entered a long-term relationship with model and actress Toukie Smith. The couple later welcomed twin sons.
1997: Marriage to Grace Hightower
De Niro married Grace Hightower.
1999: Separation and Later Reconciliation
The couple separated but eventually repaired their relationship and remained together for years afterward.
2018: Marriage Ends
De Niro and Hightower’s marriage ultimately ended in divorce.
2021: Relationship With Tiffany Chen
De Niro and Chen became publicly linked as a couple.
2023: Birth of Gia
The couple welcomed their daughter, Gia Virginia Chen-De Niro.
2026: Relationship Continues
De Niro and Chen remain together and continue to raise their daughter while maintaining a largely private family life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Robert De Niro currently married?
No. Robert De Niro is not currently married. He is in a relationship with Tiffany Chen.
Who is Robert De Niro’s current girlfriend?
Tiffany Chen is Robert De Niro’s current partner. She is a martial artist and actress.
Who was Robert De Niro’s first wife?
His first wife was actress Diahnne Abbott. They married in 1976 and divorced in 1988.
Who was Robert De Niro’s second wife?
His second wife was Grace Hightower. They married in 1997 and ultimately divorced in 2018.
Does Robert De Niro have children with Tiffany Chen?
Yes. De Niro and Tiffany Chen have one child together, daughter Gia Virginia Chen-De Niro, who was born in April 2023.
How many children does Robert De Niro have?
Robert De Niro has seven children from several relationships.
How many times has Robert De Niro been married?
He has been married twice.
Did Robert De Niro and Tiffany Chen get married?
There has been no confirmed public announcement that De Niro and Tiffany Chen have married.
Bottom Line
Robert De Niro is currently unmarried and remains in a long-term relationship with Tiffany Chen. The couple share a daughter, Gia, who was born in April 2023.
The actor’s marital history includes two marriages. His first was to Diahnne Abbott, while his second was to Grace Hightower. Both marriages ended before his relationship with Chen.
Although De Niro and Chen have appeared together publicly and have built a family, there is no confirmed indication that they have exchanged wedding vows. For now, De Niro’s relationship status is best described as unmarried and partnered with Tiffany Chen.
At the same time, the actor continues to maintain a major presence in Hollywood while embracing another chapter of fatherhood with his youngest daughter.
The combination of his legendary career, two previous marriages, seven children and long-term relationship with Chen ensures that interest in De Niro’s personal life is likely to continue for years to come.