Robert De Niro, father of seven children with four different women, welcomed his youngest child with Tiffany Chen in April 2023 at the age of 79. Recently, his 29-year-old child, Airyn, publicly came out as transgender — and De Niro’s heartfelt response underscored his unwavering love and support as a father.
Born in 1995 during De Niro’s relationship with Toukie Smith, Airyn has largely lived out of the public eye. Speaking to *Them* magazine, she explained that transitioning “just felt right,” and shared her gratitude that her parents prioritized privacy during her upbringing. “They wanted me to have as much of a normal childhood as possible,” she said.
Airyn revealed she began hormone therapy in November and credited seeing other successful trans women in public spaces as inspiration to embrace her own journey. “Maybe it’s not too late for me. Maybe I can start,” she reflected.
When asked about her transition, De Niro’s response was direct and full of warmth: “I loved and supported Aaron as my son, and now I love and support Airyn as my daughter. I don’t know what the big deal is. I love all my children,” he told *People*.
Airyn hopes to inspire others, especially those who are Black, queer, and outside narrow beauty standards, to embrace their truth. Her story comes at a time of heightened political debate over gender identity, but for De Niro, the message is simple — love and acceptance come first.
