Robert De Niro’s Youngest Daughter He Welcomed at 79 Has ‘Dad’s Face’ but with ‘Mom’s Eyes’ as She Turns 1

A recently emerged photo featuring a younger Robert De Niro in a black shirt, his partner Tiffany Chen in a tube top, and their beloved one-year-old daughter Gia Virginia Chen De Niro has sparked a flurry of netizen reactions.

In the photo, Gia, who appears with plump cheeks and black hair and wears a printed top, has captivated the online community, with many users commenting on which parent she resembles the most.

“Gia has her Mommy’s eyes, and her daddy’s face,” one user commented, summing up what many were thinking. Another concurred with a similar observation, saying, “Mom eyes and dad face.”

The overwhelming sentiment, however, was admiration for how she was a blend of both parents’ features. “She is a beautiful blend of both her parents!!” one fan exclaimed, while another noted, “Combination a good one, she’s cute.”

Many were thrilled that Gia inherited her mother’s captivating gaze, with one fan sighing in relief, “Thank God she looks like her Mom!”

And despite the positive reception from fans and their warm comments about the couple and their daughter, it was not always so. When the baby was much younger, some had mixed reactions about her, with one even suggesting Robert take a paternity test.

Robert once shared an exclusive, endearing picture, showing the doting dad lovingly cuddling a smiling Gia. Some netizens reacted to seeing the image and watching the video of the father talking about his baby. One person exclaimed, “The baby DOESN’T look like him at all.” Another user said, “Paternity test.”

When it comes to what naysayers stated about Gia and Robert not looking alike, Robert disagrees. In the interview where he shared the beautiful picture of him and his daughter, he spoke about how he sees “a lot of similarity” between himself and Gia. He also divulged, “She’s such an adorable baby. So sweet.”

Their daughter turned one in April, and Robert expressed the sheer happiness she brings into his life. Recalling her recent birthday celebration, Robert shared, “Yes, she did. She had a little cake, it was very nice, sweet.”

The veteran star also reflected on his youngest daughter, expressing that Gia brings him pure joy. He emphasized her innocence and lack of judgment, stating that she simply exists as she is, bringing happiness into his life.

Discussing his experience of becoming a father again at 79 in a 2023 interview, Robert shared, “It feels great.” He acknowledged the differences in his parenting approach now compared to his earlier years.

“I have certain awareness. When you’re older, you have awareness of certain things in life, dynamics, everything, family dynamics. It’s just – you can’t avoid learning certain things and how you can deal with those, and manage them and this and that, and the usual,” he explained.

Robert’s family is extensive. Gia is the first child of Robert and Tiffany together, and the actor’s seventh child overall. He has two adult children Drena, 52, and Raphael, 47, from his marriage to Diahnne Abbott.

He also has 28-year-old twin sons, Aaron and Julian, from his relationship with Toukie Smith. The movie star also has a son Elliot, 25, and a daughter Helen, 12, from his former marriage to Grace Hightower.

Gia may have captured the hearts of netizens and Robert alike, but the acclaimed actor also expressed vulnerability regarding another family member. He earlier opened up about the loss of his grandson, Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, almost a year after he died on July 2, 2023.

Leandro, who was 19, was the only son of Robert’s daughter Drena, who she shared with her ex Carlos Rodriguez. The cause of Robert’s grandson’s death was released last January.

The New York City chief medical examiner’s office revealed that Leandro died from “toxic effects of fentanyl, bromazolam, alprazolam, 7-aminoclonazepam, ketamine, and cocaine,” a mix of illegal drugs.

In February 2024, the actor called the death of his grandson an “awful” tragedy that he never thought would happen. When Robert got the news of Leandro’s death, he was in disbelief. “It’s just a shock,” he said.

After Leandro’s demise, Robert started thinking of all the things he could and should have maybe done with his grandson. He conveyed uncertainty about whether it would have made a difference and mentioned that it’s a recurring thought in his mind. The movie star added, “It shouldn’t have happened,” in reference to Leandro’s death.

When Leandro died, his mother, Drena, shared the news on Instagram, tagging his dad, Carlos. She mourned her son, calling him “her beautiful, sweet angel.”

Drena revealed that she didn’t know how she would continue living without her son but would try to go on by sharing the love and light Leandro gave her when she got to be his mother.

“You were so deeply loved and appreciated, and I wish that love alone could have saved you 😞 I’m so sorry, my baby, I’m so sorry,” she added.

In December 2023, Robert, Drena, and other family members and loved ones visited Miami, Florida, where they took pictures in front of a mural painted in honor of Leandro.

Drena, who often shares throwback pictures of her son on Instagram, told the artist, Pedro, that he brought so much healing to her and Robert’s heart with the stunning mural.