Robert de Niro officially becamea father of sevenwhen he welcomed his youngest daughter Gia Virginia with partner Tiffany Chen.
He also has twin sons with his ex-girlfriend Toukie Smith named Aaron and Julian.
Additionally, de Niro welcomed two kids withhis second wife, Grace Hightower: son Elliot and daughter Helen.
De Niro has spoken out about the challenges ofbeing a parentin several interviews.
“Sometimes I don’t think people really know what being a good father is.
… You know you have a responsibility,” he toldAccess Hollywoodin 2023.
“But look, it’s a mystery.
It’s a lot of excitement but scary and you do your best.”
In a devastating twist, Leandro died on July 2, 2023, after suffering an accidental drug overdose.
He was 19 years old.
“It’s just a shock,” he said.
“[I] never thought it would happen.”
Even now, de Niro said he still couldn’t wrap his head around the loss.
“I don’t know if that would’ve made a difference.
And so that’s always playing through my mind.”
“Today marks 7 bleak & lonely months since you left this world.
7 months full of tears, anger, sadness and regret,” she wrote.
“Life is completely empty without you.”
She then expressed how much she misses him and craves his presence.
“My only comfort in this nightmare is that I know you always knew that.”
If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction issues, help is available.
“[It was a] Double whammy…
I had no idea what we were in for,” Claudine said.
Despite her struggles, Ella remains a wonderful child and warrior.She turned 13 years oldlast March 1.
