Robert De Niro Biography: Legendary Actor & Cultural Icon, Birthdate, Birthplace, Age, Height, Ethnicity, Education, Profession, Spouse, Children, Net Worth

“You learned the two greatest things in life: never rat on your friends, and always keep your mouth shut.” — Robert De Niro as Jimmy Conway in Goodfellas

Robert De Niro (born August 17, 1943 in New York City) is an American actor, director, and producer widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of his generation. He has won two Academy Awards for The Godfather Part II (1974) and Raging Bull (1980). In 2025, he is trending for appearing with his arm in a sling after a shoulder procedure, and for the poor box office performance of his mob drama The Alto Knights. His challenges include navigating health concerns at age 82, coping with family tragedy after the loss of his grandson in 2023, and sustaining relevance in a rapidly changing film industry.

Timeline Overview

Year	Milestone
1943	Born August 17 in New York City
1963	Began acting career
1974	Won Academy Award for The Godfather Part II
1980	Won Academy Award for Raging Bull
1993	Co‑founded Tribeca Film Festival
2000s	Expanded into directing and producing
2019	Starred in The Irishman
2023	Became father again with Tiffany Chen
2025	Trending for health updates and The Alto Knights flop

Quick Facts

Attribute	Detail
Full Name	Robert Anthony De Niro
Birthdate	August 17, 1943
Birthplace	New York City, USA
Age	82 (as of 2025)
Height	5 ft 9 in (1.77 m)
Profession	Actor, Director, Producer
Known For	Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, Goodfellas, The Irishman
Spouses	Diahnne Abbott (1976–1988), Grace Hightower (1997–2018)
Children	7, including Drena, Raphael, and infant daughter Gia (2023)
Parents	Robert De Niro Sr. and Virginia Admiral
Net Worth	Estimated $500 million

Early Life & Education

Robert De Niro was born in Manhattan, New York City, to artists Robert De Niro Sr. and Virginia Admiral. His father was a painter of Italian descent, while his mother was a poet and painter of Irish, German, Dutch, and English ancestry.

Nicknamed “Bobby Milk” for his pale complexion, De Niro grew up in the Little Italy neighborhood. He studied acting at the Stella Adler Conservatory and the American Workshop, developing a method acting style that would define his career.

Robert De Niro photo - wikiiTrends — ***Robert De Niro photo – wikiiTrends***

Career Background

Breakthrough Roles De Niro’s breakthrough came with Mean Streets (1973), directed by Martin Scorsese. He won his first Oscar for playing young Vito Corleone in The Godfather Part II (1974).

Raging Bull (1980) His portrayal of boxer Jake LaMotta earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor, cementing his reputation as a master of transformation.

Collaboration with Scorsese De Niro’s partnership with Scorsese produced classics like Taxi Driver (1976), Goodfellas (1990), Casino (1995), and The Irishman (2019).

Comedy & Later Roles He showed versatility in comedies like Meet the Parents (2000) and Silver Linings Playbook (2012).

Producer & Festival Founder In 2002, he co‑founded the Tribeca Film Festival, revitalizing lower Manhattan after 9/11.

Challenges & Achievements

Challenges

Health Concerns: At 82, De Niro faces physical limitations, including recent shoulder surgery.
Family Loss: Coping with the tragic death of grandson Leandro in 2023.
Industry Shifts: Adapting to streaming platforms and changing audience tastes.

Achievements

Two Academy Awards and a Golden Globe.
Eight BAFTA nominations and four Emmy nominations.
Co‑founder of Tribeca Film Festival.
Iconic performances across six decades.

Family & Parents

Robert De Niro was born to Robert De Niro Sr. and Virginia Admiral, both artists. His father was openly gay, and his parents divorced when he was two.

He married Diahnne Abbott in 1976, with whom he had son Raphael and adopted daughter Drena. He later married Grace Hightower in 1997, with whom he had two children before separating in 2018.

In 2023, De Niro welcomed a daughter, Gia, with partner Tiffany Chen. He has seven children in total.

Salary & Net Worth

Salary (Peak Years): Up to $20 million per film.
Net Worth: Approximately $500 million.

Legacy

Robert De Niro’s legacy lies in his ability to embody complex, often violent characters with authenticity. His collaborations with Scorsese defined modern cinema, while his comedic roles showed versatility.

His story in 2025 reflects both triumph and challenge: enduring fame alongside health struggles and family tragedy. As he continues to act and produce, De Niro remains a towering figure in Hollywood.