NEWSRobert De Niro Admits He Feels 'Guilty' Being Away From His 7 Kids Amid Busy Career
Robert De Niro reflected on balancing his acting career with fatherhood and spending time with his seven children.
Aug. 28 2026, Published 10:26 a.m. ET
Robert De Niro opened up about the challenges of balancing fatherhood with a demanding acting career.
"I don’t know if there is a secret. It’s just managing it all," De Niro told People.
"And there’s no way around not feeling a little guilty about not being there at times you should or you think you should," he added.
Robert De Niro Embraced Fatherhood As a Learning Experience
Robert De Niro reflected on feeling guilty when his busy career kept him away from his seven children.
De Niro is a father of seven. He became a parent to Drena, 54, after marrying her mother, ex-wife Diahnne Abbott, and later welcomed their son Raphael, 49.
He also shares twins Julian and Airyn, 30, with ex-girlfriend Toukie Smith; Elliot, 28, and Helen, 14, with ex-wife Grace Hightower; and daughter Gia, 3, with girlfriend Tiffany Chen.
"It’s a new experience. It’s not like you’ve taken courses on it and stuff," the Oscar-winner said.
"You can, of course, but you don’t. You just jump in and you have the child and you got to... That’s it," he added.
Robert De Niro Reflected On His Approach To Fatherhood
Robert De Niro reflected on his experience raising seven children at different stages of his life.
De Niro also opened up about his approach to fatherhood during a September 2025 appearance on Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace?
"I’m going to put on my gravestone, 'I tried my best.' I was thinking about that the other day," he said.
Despite his demanding career, De Niro reflected on how he balances it all.
"I don’t think of it that way," he revealed.
"I mean, I was busy, of course, but I always loved my kids," he added.
When host Chris Wallace asked what it was like welcoming Gia in his 80s, De Niro said, "In some ways. Of course. I’m trying my best. I’m older, you know."
"Things just change. I have no choice. Embrace it. Embrace whatever you’ve been given," he continued.
- 'Selfish' Robert De Niro Slammed for Saying He Doesn't 'Do the Heavy Lifting' With Newborn Daughter: 'Irresponsible'
- Robert De Niro Admits He Doesn't Change His Toddler's Diapers After Saying His Girlfriend Does the 'Heavy' Lifting: 'I Used To'
- Robert De Niro, 79, Reveals He Secretly Welcomed Baby No. 7
Want OK! each day? Sign up here!
De Niro Found Joy In Becoming a Father Later In Life
Robert De Niro spoke about the joy he found in fatherhood after welcoming his youngest daughter, Gia.
The Meet the Parents actor previously spoke about the experience after his daughter’s birth in 2023.
"It feels great," De Niro told AARP in a 2023 interview after Gia’s birth.
"Everything that I'm consumed with or worried about just goes away when I look at her. It's wondrous," he said.
Robert De Niro shared his perspective on supporting children through their choices and experiences.
The Raging Bull actor discussed his parenting philosophy with Entertainment Tonight in 2025.
"The main thing is to support your kids," he said.
"As long as they’re not hurting themselves, doing anything destructive or anything like that, you have to support them—period," he added.
De Niro also explained how parents could approach situations where they disagreed with their children.
"Even if you don’t go with it—you have to support them," he admitted.
"And they have to know that you support them. Always," he concluded.
