Robert De Niro talks fatherhood, collaborating with Martin Scorsese

De Niro, 80, became a dad of seven last year with daughter Gia's arrival.

February 7, 2024, 10:28 AM

Robert De Niro is opening up about being a dad of seven.

The 80-year-old actor, who is People's February cover star, spoke to the outlet about welcoming his youngest child, 10-month-old daughter Gia, with girlfriend Tiffany Chen, 45, last year.

"She's such an adorable baby. So sweet," he told the magazine. "[When I] look at her, everything else goes away. So it's a great joy and relief to just be with her in the moment."

De Niro said his other children -- up to his eldest child, daughter Drena, 56 -- "all get a big kick out of" Gia.

"The grandkids even. She's their aunt -- [and] they're about to be teenagers!" he added.

PHOTO: Robert de Niro attends the "Killers Of The Flower Moon" photocall at the 76th annual Cannes film festival at Palais des Festivals on May 21, 2023 in Cannes, France.
Robert de Niro attends the "Killers Of The Flower Moon" photocall at the 76th annual Cannes film festival at Palais des Festivals on May 21, 2023 in Cannes, France.
Mike Marsland/WireImage via Getty Images, FILE

De Niro said the fact that his entire family can all come together "is everything" to him.

This awards season, the two-time Oscar winner is up for best supporting actor for his role as William "King" Hale in Martin Scorsese's "Killers of the Flower Moon."

Of his 50-year collaboration with Scorsese, who first directed him in 1973's "Mean Streets," De Niro said he's "lucky" to have forged that relationship.

PHOTO: Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese, winners of the Vanguard Award for "Killers of the Flower Moon", pose in the press room during the 2024 Palm Springs International Film Festival Film Awards, Jan. 4, 2024 in Palm Springs, California.
Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese, winners of the Vanguard Award for "Killers of the Flower Moon", pose in the press room during the 2024 Palm Springs International Film Festival Film Awards at Palm Springs Convention Center on January 04, 2024 in Palm Springs, California.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images

"He allows people to do what they can do best and then he'll direct from there," he said.