Robert De Niro has been married twice, first to actress Diahnne Abbott in 1976 and later to philanthropist Grace Hightower in 1997. Both marriages ended in separation or divorce proceedings, and he has not publicly confirmed a new marriage. His family includes seven children, and his personal life has attracted attention because of his long relationships, family milestones, and continued career in Hollywood.

Introduction

The question of who Robert De Niro’s wife is continues to attract interest from movie fans who want to know more about the personal life of one of Hollywood’s most respected actors. Best known for films such as The Godfather Part II, Taxi Driver, Raging Bull and Goodfellas, De Niro has built a celebrated acting career while keeping many aspects of his family life relatively private.

As of October 28, 2026, De Niro has been married twice. His first wife was actress Diahnne Abbott, whom he married in 1976. His second wife was philanthropist Grace Hightower, whom he married in 1997. Their relationship ended in a separation announced in 2018. Biography+1

De Niro has since been publicly associated with martial arts instructor Tiffany Chen. They welcomed a daughter, Gia Virginia Chen-De Niro, in April 2023 and appeared together at public events in subsequent years. However, there is no verified public announcement establishing that Chen and De Niro are married. CBS News+1

Understanding the distinction between his former wives and his current partner is important because celebrity relationship articles sometimes use the word wife when referring to a partner who has not been confirmed as a spouse.

What Happened? Understanding Robert De Niro’s Marital Status

The main point is that Robert De Niro does not have a publicly confirmed current wife. His two documented marriages were to Abbott and Hightower, while Chen is widely identified in reporting as his partner.

De Niro’s relationship history spans several decades. His first marriage began in the 1970s, followed by a long relationship with former model and actress Toukie Smith. He later married Hightower, with whom he raised two children. Following their separation, he entered a relationship with Chen, and the couple welcomed their daughter in 2023. Biography+2

This timeline helps answer the most common question behind the search term: readers looking for Robert De Niro’s wife may be asking about his former spouses, his current relationship, or the mother of his youngest child. These are related but different subjects.

Key Details About Robert De Niro’s Wives and Partner

1. Diahnne Abbott

First wife · Married in 1976

Abbott is an actress and singer who appeared in films including Taxi Driver. She and De Niro had a son, Raphael, and De Niro adopted Abbott’s daughter, Drena.

2. Grace Hightower

Second wife · Married in 1997

Hightower is a philanthropist and former hospitality professional. She and De Niro have two children, Elliot and Helen Grace. Their separation was reported in November 2018.

3. Tiffany Chen

Current publicly known partner

Chen is a martial arts instructor who met De Niro while working on the film The Intern. They welcomed daughter Gia in April 2023. A marriage between them has not been publicly confirmed.

Relationship details are based on published biographies, CBS News reporting and public-event coverage. Biography+3

Background: Who Is Robert De Niro?

Robert Anthony De Niro Jr. was born on August 17, 1943, in New York City. He grew into one of the most influential American actors of his generation, earning recognition for his intense performances, character transformations and long-running collaborations with director Martin Scorsese.

His major films include Mean Streets, The Godfather Part II, Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, Casino, Heat and The Irishman. He won Academy Awards for The Godfather Part II and Raging Bull. His career has included dramatic roles, comedies, film production and work supporting New York’s independent film community through the Tribeca Festival.

Although his professional life has often been in the public eye, De Niro has generally kept his relationships and children away from unnecessary publicity. Nevertheless, his marriages, family milestones and occasional public appearances have generated sustained interest.

His relationship history is best understood in chronological order, beginning with Abbott and continuing through Hightower and Chen.

Robert De Niro’s First Wife: Diahnne Abbot

Who is Diahnne Abbott?

Diahnne Abbott is an American actress and singer whose film work includes Taxi Driver (1976), the psychological drama in which De Niro played Travis Bickle. She and De Niro married in 1976, during the early years of his rise to international prominence. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1988. Biography+1

Abbott’s acting career included appearances in several films, although she has maintained a much lower public profile than her former husband.

Their children

De Niro and Abbott raised two children within their family:

• Drena De Niro: Abbott’s daughter from an earlier relationship, whom De Niro adopted.
• Raphael De Niro: Their biological son, who later became known for his work in New York real estate.

Drena pursued acting, producing and directing, while Raphael developed a career in real estate. Their professional paths illustrate how De Niro’s family has included people working both within and outside the entertainment industry. Biography+1

Why their marriage remains significant

Abbott’s marriage to De Niro coincided with a defining period in his career. Films such as Taxi Driver helped establish his reputation for powerful and psychologically complex performances.

Although their marriage ended decades ago, Abbott remains an important part of De Niro’s family history because of their shared years and their children.

Public information about their private relationship is limited. It is therefore more accurate to focus on confirmed milestones than to speculate about the personal reasons for their divorce.

Robert De Niro’s Second Wife: Grace Hightower

Grace Hightower is the second woman De Niro married. She is known for her philanthropic activities, business interests and long relationship with the actor.

When did Robert De Niro marry Grace Hightower?

De Niro and Hightower married in 1997. Their relationship had begun years earlier, and they became one of the more prominent couples associated with Hollywood and New York’s cultural scene.

Their marriage experienced difficulties early on. CBS News reported in November 2018 that the couple had separated after approximately 21 years of marriage. The report also noted that they had separated in 1999, later reconciled and renewed their vows in 2004. CBS News+1

Their history demonstrates why a couple’s separation date and the legal end of a marriage should not automatically be treated as the same event.

Who is Grace Hightower?

Hightower has worked in hospitality and philanthropy. Her public profile has also included charitable and business initiatives, while she has generally maintained a more private lifestyle than De Niro.

The couple’s relationship extended across a period in which De Niro continued to work on major films, build business ventures and support cultural projects in New York.

Hightower’s identity is not limited to being the actor’s former wife. Her professional activities and philanthropic work form part of her own public biography.

Robert De Niro and Grace Hightower’s children

The couple has two children:

• Elliot De Niro: Their son, born in 1998.
• Helen Grace De Niro: Their daughter, born in 2011.

De Niro has occasionally spoken about the joys and challenges of parenting. Hightower and De Niro have generally kept their children’s private lives away from extensive public scrutiny. CBS News+1

Did Robert De Niro and Grace Hightower divorce?

The couple announced their separation in 2018, and their subsequent relationship and financial arrangements received media coverage. However, separation reporting should not be confused with a verified date for the final legal dissolution of a marriage.

For readers seeking a precise legal date, a reliable court record or direct statement is preferable to repeating an unsourced date from a celebrity biography. The publicly reported separation is well established, but this article does not claim a specific date on which a divorce was finalized.

Who Is Robert De Niro’s Current Partner, Tiffany Chen?

Tiffany Chen is a martial arts instructor who became publicly known as De Niro’s partner after their relationship developed following their meeting on a film set.

The pair reportedly met during production of The Intern (2015), in which Chen worked as an on-screen Tai Chi instructor. Their relationship later became the subject of entertainment reporting, and they welcomed a daughter in 2023. Entertainment Tonight+1

How did Robert De Niro meet Tiffany Chen?

Chen and De Niro met while working on The Intern, the 2015 comedy starring De Niro and Anne Hathaway. Chen’s martial arts background connected her to the production, and their acquaintance subsequently developed into a relationship.

Their public appearances have been relatively limited compared with those of many celebrity couples. This has contributed to continued searches about their relationship status.

Is Tiffany Chen Robert De Niro’s wife?

There is no verified public confirmation that De Niro and Chen have married. Reputable coverage has identified Chen as his partner or girlfriend, not as a newly confirmed wife.

The distinction matters: welcoming a child together, appearing at an event as a couple or maintaining a long-term relationship does not establish that two people are legally married.

As of October 28, 2026, the responsible answer is that Chen is De Niro’s publicly known partner, while his two documented marriages were to Abbott and Hightower.

Their daughter, Gia Virginia Chen-De Niro

De Niro announced in May 2023 that he had welcomed his seventh child. In an interview with CBS News’ CBS Mornings, he and Chen shared details about their daughter, Gia Virginia Chen-De Niro, who was born on April 6, 2023. CBS News+1

The announcement drew international attention partly because De Niro was 79 when Gia was born. It also renewed public interest in his family and his relationship with Chen.

In a July 2023 CBS Mornings interview, Chen discussed a health complication she experienced after giving birth and described De Niro as supportive. The interview offered a rare glimpse into their family life while illustrating the challenges that can accompany childbirth and recovery. Paramount Press Express+1

Their daughter is De Niro’s youngest child publicly reported as of the date of this article.

How Many Children Does Robert De Niro Have?

Robert De Niro has seven children, born across different relationships. His family includes adopted, biological and twin children. Biography+1

1. Drena De Niro

De Niro adopted Drena, Abbott’s daughter from an earlier relationship. She has worked as an actress, producer and director.

2. Raphael De Niro

His son with Diahnne Abbott is known for his career in real estate.

3. Julian De Niro

One of the twins De Niro had with former partner Toukie Smith.

4. Aaron De Niro

De Niro’s other twin son with Toukie Smith.

5. Elliot De Niro

His son with Grace Hightower, born in 1998.

6. Helen Grace De Niro

His daughter with Hightower, born in 2011.

7. Gia Virginia Chen-De Niro

His daughter with Tiffany Chen, born on April 6, 2023.

The names and family relationships are based on published biographical reporting. Some children maintain private lives, and the images above are illustrative searches rather than verified portraits of every individual. Biography+2

Why De Niro’s family attracts public interest

De Niro’s family life has drawn attention for several reasons. His children span different generations, and his youngest daughter arrived when he was 79. Several of his children have maintained private lives, while others have pursued careers in entertainment or business.

His family history also reflects the fact that a person’s marital history and parenting history are not identical. Some of De Niro’s children were born during his marriages, while others were born during relationships outside marriage.

When reporting on celebrity families, it is useful to distinguish between a spouse, a former spouse, a partner and a co-parent. These terms describe different relationships and should not be used interchangeably.

What Officials and Organizations Have Said

There has been no identified official announcement establishing a new marriage between De Niro and Chen. Their daughter’s birth, however, was confirmed publicly through De Niro’s own interview and subsequent coverage.

In May 2023, De Niro revealed the news of his seventh child while promoting his film About My Father. He corrected an interviewer who referred to his six children, explaining that he had recently welcomed another child. CBS News subsequently reported the baby’s name and birth date. CBS News+1

In July 2023, CBS Mornings interviewed Chen about her postpartum experience and showed the couple’s daughter publicly. Chen also spoke positively about De Niro’s support during her recovery. CBS News+1

These interviews are useful primary reporting for the family announcement and Chen’s account of her experience. They do not establish that the couple married.

For the historical marriages, biographical reporting and contemporary coverage identify Abbott and Hightower as De Niro’s two wives. CBS News’ November 2018 report documented the separation announcement involving Hightower. Biography+1

Why Robert De Niro’s Relationship History Matters

The continuing interest in Robert De Niro’s wife reflects more than curiosity about a famous actor’s personal life. His relationships have unfolded alongside a career spanning several decades, making his family history relevant to readers interested in both Hollywood and his life outside the screen.

Three points are especially important.

First, his marriages are part of his biography. Abbott and Hightower were both significant partners in different stages of his life. Their marriages overlapped with periods of professional growth and major changes in his family.

Second, his current relationship should be described accurately. Chen is the mother of his youngest child and his publicly known partner. Without a confirmed marriage announcement, calling her his wife would present an unverified claim as fact.

Third, his family is larger than his marital history alone suggests. De Niro has seven children from different relationships. Understanding those family connections provides a fuller picture than focusing exclusively on his former spouses.

His story also highlights a broader issue in celebrity reporting: widely searched questions do not always have the simple answers suggested by their wording. Careful reporting separates established facts from assumptions and respects the privacy of family members.

What Happens Next?

As of October 28, 2026, no verified public announcement has established that Robert De Niro has married Tiffany Chen or another partner since his separation from Grace Hightower.

The clearest way to establish a change in his marital status would be a direct statement from De Niro or his representatives, or reliable documentation reported by a reputable news organization.

Until such information becomes available, there is no confirmed new marriage to report. His two historical marriages, his relationship with Chen and the birth of their daughter remain the key documented facts for readers seeking information about his personal life.

Future updates should be based on new, verifiable information rather than speculation arising from public appearances, photographs or social media posts.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is Robert De Niro’s wife now?

Robert De Niro has no publicly confirmed current wife. His former wives are Diahnne Abbott and Grace Hightower. He is publicly known to be in a relationship with Tiffany Chen, but their marriage has not been confirmed. Biography+2

2. How many times has Robert De Niro been married?

Robert De Niro has been married twice. He married Diahnne Abbott in 1976 and Grace Hightower in 1997. His marriage to Abbott ended in divorce in 1988, while his relationship with Hightower ended in a separation announced in 2018. Biography+1

3. Who was Robert De Niro’s first wife?

His first wife was Diahnne Abbott, an actress and singer. They married in 1976 and had a son, Raphael. De Niro also adopted Abbott’s daughter, Drena, from an earlier relationship. Biography+1

4. Who was Robert De Niro’s second wife?

His second wife was Grace Hightower, a philanthropist and former hospitality professional. They married in 1997 and have two children together, Elliot and Helen Grace. They announced their separation in November 2018. CBS News+1

5. Is Robert De Niro married to Tiffany Chen?

There is no verified public confirmation that Robert De Niro and Tiffany Chen are married. They are publicly known as partners and welcomed their daughter, Gia Virginia Chen-De Niro, in April 2023. CBS News+1

6. How many children does Robert De Niro have?

Robert De Niro has seven children: Drena, Raphael, Julian, Aaron, Elliot, Helen Grace and Gia Virginia. They are from different relationships, and Drena was adopted by De Niro. Biography+1

7. Who is the mother of Robert De Niro’s youngest child?

Tiffany Chen is the mother of De Niro’s youngest publicly reported child, Gia Virginia Chen-De Niro. Gia was born on April 6, 2023, and De Niro publicly announced her arrival in May of that year. CBS News+1

8. How old was Robert De Niro when his youngest daughter was born?

De Niro was 79 when Gia was born on April 6, 2023. He discussed becoming a father for the seventh time during an interview while promoting About My Father.