Robert De Niro Biography: The Legendary Actor’s New Double-Mafia Role & Lifelong Legacy in 2025

Robert De Niro is an iconic American actor, producer, and director, celebrated for his intense performances and long-standing collaboration with Martin Scorsese. Based in New York, he remains one of the most respected figures in cinema, with a career spanning six decades and a powerful influence on film acting.

Quick Facts

Full Name	Robert Anthony De Niro Jr.
Profession	Actor, Producer, Director
Birth Date	August 17, 1943
Age (2025)	82 years (turning 82 in August)
Birth Place	New York City, New York, U.S.
Nationality	American
Known For	Iconic film roles (e.g. Taxi Driver, Raging Bull), collaboration with Scorsese, method acting
Ethnicity / Heritage	Italian, Irish, Dutch, English, German, French ancestry
Zodiac Sign	Leo (August 17)
Height & Weight	~5′8″ (173 cm) – public sources vary
Hair Color	Salt-and-pepper / Grey in later years
Eye Color	Brown
Education / Training	Studied acting (didn’t follow a traditional college path); trained with Stella Adler & others
Religion	Not publicly defined in recent sources
Marital Status	Multiple relationships / marriages
Notable Relationships / Spouses	Diahnne Abbott (m. 1976–1988) Grace Hightower (m. 1997–2018; separated) Partner: Tiffany Chen (recent)
Children	7 children (various relationships)
Family / Parents	Mother: Virginia Admiral; Father: Robert De Niro Sr.
Hobbies / Interests	Film production, social issues, hospitality business (co-founded Tribeca Festival)
Current Work (2025)	Acting — starring in The Alto Knights; continued film production
Years Active	1968–present
Net Worth	Estimated ~US$ 500 million (includes acting, production, business)

Early Life & Education

Robert Anthony De Niro Jr. was born on August 17, 1943, in the Manhattan borough of New York City. His mother, Virginia Admiral, was a painter and poet; his father, Robert De Niro Sr., was also a painter and sculptor.

De Niro’s parents separated when he was very young, and he was largely raised by his mother in Greenwich Village and Little Italy.

As a teenager, he became interested in acting. He studied under Stella Adler and Lee Strasberg, shaping his method-acting style.

Career Journey

Breakthrough & Collaboration with Scorsese

De Niro gained early recognition with Bang the Drum Slowly (1973), which showcased his dramatic range.
His collaboration with Martin Scorsese began with Mean Streets (1973), a partnership that would define much of his career.
In The Godfather: Part II (1974), De Niro played the young Vito Corleone—a role that won him his first Academy Award (Best Supporting).

Iconic Roles & Awards

Taxi Driver (1976) cemented his reputation; he deeply prepared for the role, embodying the character’s intensity.
In Raging Bull (1980), De Niro gained or lost significant weight and trained like a boxer to play Jake LaMotta. He won his second Oscar (Best Actor).
Over his career, he starred in many critically acclaimed films: The Deer Hunter (1978), Once Upon a Time in America (1984), GoodFellas (1990), Casino, Heat, etc.

Directing & Producing

De Niro made his directorial debut with A Bronx Tale (1993).
He later directed The Good Shepherd (2006), about the origins of the CIA.
He is co-founder of Tribeca Enterprises and the Tribeca Film Festival, contributing to film culture beyond acting.

Recent Activity (2023–2025)

In 2023, De Niro starred in Killers of the Flower Moon, directed by Scorsese, for which he earned an Oscar nomination.
2025: He stars in The Alto Knights, a crime drama where he plays two mafia figures—Frank Costello and Vito Genovese.
He is being honored with an Honorary Palme d’Or at Cannes in 2025, recognizing his five-decade legacy.

Personal Life

De Niro has had multiple marriages: married Diahnne Abbott (1976–1988) and Grace Hightower (1997–2018).
He has seven children: Drena, Raphael, Julian, Aaron, Elliot, Helen, and most recently Gia (born in April 2023).
He publicly expressed support for his transgender daughter, Airyn (formerly Aaron), emphasizing love and acceptance.

Awards & Achievements

Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actor (The Godfather: Part II), Best Actor (Raging Bull)
Kennedy Center Honors (2009)
Cecil B. DeMille Award (Golden Globes, 2011)
Presidential Medal of Freedom (2016)
Honorary Palme d’Or at Cannes (2025) for lifetime contribution to cinema

Physical Statistics

Height	~173 cm (5′8″) (approximate)
Weight	Not precisely public; has fluctuated for roles
Hair Color	Salt-and-pepper / Grey (in later years)
Eye Color	Brown
Build	Medium / Muscular (depending on role)

Quotes

“Fight the good fight, work hard, and have a good time.” — Robert De Niro (often cited in interviews)
“There is no such thing as work-life balance. Everything worth fighting for unbalances your life.” — Robert De Niro (reflecting on acting & family)

Controversies

De Niro has occasionally clashed publicly over political views, particularly criticizing certain political figures.
His business ventures (restaurants, hotels) have attracted scrutiny and mixed reviews over the years.
Some critics have debated his late-career choices in films, though his legacy remains overwhelmingly strong.

Favorites (Interests)

Genre: Crime dramas, mafia-style films, serious character work
Director Collaborations: Martin Scorsese (longtime collaborator)
Off-screen Interests: Film production, nurturing independent cinema (Tribeca), mentoring younger actors

Salary & Net Worth (2025)

While precise annual salary is not publicly disclosed, De Niro’s income comes from acting, his production company, and his hospitality investments (restaurants, hotels).
His estimated net worth in 2025 is around US$ 500 million.

Interesting Facts

De Niro once gained 60 pounds to convincingly portray boxer Jake LaMotta in Raging Bull.
He co-founded the Tribeca Film Festival as a response to the 9/11 attacks, to revitalize Lower Manhattan.
He has played aging gangsters, but in The Alto Knights (2025) he portrays two rival mafia bosses — a rare double role.
Despite his gruff onscreen persona, he has expressed deep love for family, especially recently spending quality time with his youngest daughter.

Social Media & Public Presence

Robert De Niro is not particularly active on social media; his presence is more prominent via public appearances, interviews, film promotions, and Tribeca Festival communications.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: How old is Robert De Niro in 2025?
A1: He was born on August 17, 1943, so he is 81 (turning 82 later in 2025).

Q2: What recent movie is De Niro starring in?
A2: In 2025, he stars in The Alto Knights, playing both Frank Costello and Vito Genovese.

Q3: How many Oscars has he won?
A3: He has won two Academy Awards: one for The Godfather: Part II (supporting) and another for Raging Bull (leading).

Q4: Is Robert De Niro directing any films?
A4: He has directed in the past (A Bronx Tale, The Good Shepherd) but as of 2025 his primary focus remains acting and film production.

Q5: What is his net worth?
A5: His estimated net worth is about US$ 500 million as of 2025.

Q6: What is his family situation?
A6: He has seven children from different relationships. One of his daughters, Airyn, publicly came out as transgender in 2025, and De Niro expressed full support.

Conclusion

Robert De Niro’s career is a master class in versatility, resilience, and dedication to craft. From gritty crime dramas to heartfelt character pieces, his body of work has left an indelible mark on cinema. In 2025, he continues to challenge himself with ambitious roles while remaining deeply respected across the film world. If you found this biography insightful, feel free to share it — De Niro’s legacy deserves to be celebrated.