Robert De Niro is showing the world exactly what unconditional love looks like.
The 81-year-old screen legend is standing proudly behind his daughter Airyn, who came out publicly as transgender this week. Airyn, 29, is one of De Niro’s twin children with former partner and model Toukie Smith.
On Wednesday (April 30), just one day after the news broke, De Niro released a heartfelt statement to People, making it clear where he stands: “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,” he said. “I love all my children.”
It’s a simple statement, but a powerful one—and a reminder that acceptance doesn’t need to be complicated.
Airyn, who had previously gone by the name Aaron, shares a close bond with her twin brother Julian. They’re part of De Niro’s large blended family that includes Drena, 53, and Raphael, 48—his children with ex-wife Diahnne Abbott—along with Elliot, 27, and Helen, 13, from his marriage to Grace Hightower. In 2023, the actor welcomed his youngest child, baby girl Gia, with partner Tiffany Chen.
De Niro’s response has been widely praised online, not just for its clarity but also for its calm, loving tone—proof that allyship often begins with simply showing up and offering support without making it about yourself.
While De Niro has always kept his family life relatively private, he’s known to be a hands-on father. Over the years, he’s spoken about the joys and challenges of parenting, particularly as his family has grown. Now, his message reinforces the importance of embracing your children for who they truly are, no matter how they identify.
In an era when LGBTQ+ rights are still the subject of heated debate, De Niro’s matter-of-fact declaration serves as a reminder that love is love—and family means standing by each other, period.
