Robert De Niro Opens Up About Fatherhood At 80 Years Old
Posted November 3, 2023 by: Admin
When Robert De Niro and his girlfriend, Tiffany Chen, surprised everyone earlier this year with the birth of their child on April 6, it was not only due to the secrecy surrounding her pregnancy but also because De Niro was 79 years old at the time, having just turned 80 in August. This event proves that age should never be a barrier to parenthood.
On October 15, De Niro engaged in an interview with Alex Moshakis of The Guardian, covering topics from politics to his illustrious acting career, and, of course, delving into the unique experience of fatherhood at the age of 80. When asked about how things were going with their little one, he responded with brevity.
He casually remarked, “It’s going OK,” with both men sharing a laugh. Moshakis, a father of two, understood the nuances behind De Niro’s response. De Niro went on to praise fatherhood for its endless mysteries, highlighting that “it’s always good and mysterious, and you don’t know what the hell is going to happen.”
The story of Robert De Niro and Tiffany Chen began on the set of “The Intern.” De Niro played a leading role, while Chen portrayed a minor character as a group tai chi instructor. Their romance sparked dating rumors in August 2021 when they were seen enjoying a PDA-filled outing in France.
What remained unknown at the time was that, two years later, Chen and De Niro would welcome their first child into the world. Their daughter, Gia Virginia Chen-De Niro, was born on April 6, making her their first child together, though she is De Niro’s seventh child in total. They managed to keep the pregnancy and birth a secret until mid-May.
“It doesn’t get easier,” De Niro acknowledged about becoming a new father at 80. He clarified, “It is what it is. It’s OK. I mean, I don’t do the heavy lifting. I’m there, I support my girlfriend. But she does the work. And we have help, which is so important.” When asked if he enjoys being a father, his response was a resounding, “Of course I do.”
Regarding what he finds enjoyable, De Niro expressed his delight in “All of it!” He acknowledged the differences in parenting his baby compared to his 11-year-old or his adult children and grandchildren. He humorously added, “I don’t talk to the adult children the way I talk to my baby or the way I speak to my 11-year-old, though she’s pretty smart.”
Later in his interview with The Guardian, De Niro was asked about his future plans and what lies ahead in the coming years. While he has a few projects in progress, his primary goal now is to ‘stay alive.’ He recognizes that time is ticking, but he believes he still has much to offer.
“Of course I think about it, at my age,” he admitted, emphasizing his awareness of his age, which has given him a deeper appreciation for the value of time. He looks forward to making the most of every summer, every season, and cherishing moments with his family.
Uncertainty about the future has focused De Niro on what truly matters in his life. He stressed, “Everything I do, time-wise, is important. Whatever I’m thinking about doing in two years, I’d better think about doing it now.” It’s a simple life lesson that resonates with us all.
De Niro also mentioned his acceptance of the aging process, partly because he understands that it’s beyond his control. He concluded, “What am I going to do? I might as well give in and go with it.” None of us can predict how much time we have left, so we should all make the most of it!
