Robert De Niro Biography Robert De Niro born August 17, 1943 is an acclaimed American actor and film producer, widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential actors of his generation. He has received numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and nominations for eight BAFTA Awards and four Emmy Awards. In addition, De Niro was honored with the AFI Life Achievement Award in 2003, the Kennedy Center Honors in 2009, the Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2011, and the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award in 2019. In 2016, he was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by U.S. President Barack Obama. De Niro studied acting at institutions like HB Studio, Stella Adler Conservatory, and Lee Strasberg’s Actors Studio. His first credited film role was in Greetings (1968), directed by Brian De Palma.
Robert De Niro Biography
Robert De Niro, regarded as one of the greatest actors in cinema history, was born in 1943 in Manhattan, New York City, to artists Virginia Admiral and Robert De Niro Sr. With Italian roots on his father’s side, his heritage also includes Irish, English, Dutch, German, and French ancestry. De Niro honed his craft at the Stella Adler Conservatory and the American Workshop. He first gained recognition with his role in Bang the Drum Slowly (1973) but solidified his reputation as a powerful and intense actor in Mean Streets (1973), his first collaboration with director Martin Scorsese. He won his first Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Vito Corleone in The Godfather Part II (1974), and earned subsequent Oscar nominations for Best Actor in Taxi Driver (1976), The Deer Hunter (1978), and Cape Fear (1991).
Robert De Niro Biography Details
| Born | Robert Anthony De Niro August 17, 1943 (age 81) New York City, U.S. |
| Citizenship | United States Italy |
| Occupations | Actor film producer |
| Years active | 1963–present |
| Works | Scorsese collaborations |
| Spouses | Diahnne Abbot (m. 1976; div. 1988) Grace Hightower (m. 1997; sep. 2018) |
| Children | 7, including Drena and Raphael |
| Parents | Robert De Niro Sr. Virginia Admiral |
| Category | Singers Bio |
About Robert De Niro
Robert Anthony De Niro is an American actor and film producer. He is considered to be one of the greatest and most influential actors of his generation.
- Born: 17 August 1943 (age 81 years), Manhattan, New York, United States
- Spouse: Grace Hightower (m. 1997–2018), Diahnne Abbott (m. 1976–1988)
- Partner: Tiffany Chen
- Upcoming movie: The Alto Knights
- Children: Drena De Niro, Raphael De Niro, Elliot De Niro, Julian Henry De Niro, Aaron Kendrick De Niro
- Height: 77 m
Early Life and Education
De Niro was born in Manhattan on August 17, 1943, the only child of painters Virginia Admiral and Robert De Niro Sr. His father was of Irish and Italian descent, while his mother had Dutch, English, French, and German ancestry. His parents separated when he was two, following his father’s revelation that he was gay. Raised by his mother in Greenwich Village and Little Italy, De Niro maintained a close relationship with his father. Nicknamed “Bobby Milk” due to his pale complexion, he befriended many street kids in Little Italy, some of whom remain lifelong friends.
De Niro’s mother, initially Presbyterian, became an atheist, while his father, a lapsed Catholic, had De Niro secretly baptized into the Catholic Church during his parents’ divorce. De Niro attended PS 41, a public elementary school, through sixth grade. At age 10, he made his stage debut in The Wizard of Oz, playing the Cowardly Lion.
Robert De Niro At a Glance
Category: Richest Celebrities › Actors
Net Worth: $500 Million
Birthdate: August 17, 1943 (81 years old)
Birthplace: Greenwich Village, New York City
Gender: Male
Height: 5 ft 9 in (1.77 m)
Profession: Actor, Film Producer, Director, Voice Actor, Television Producer
Nationality: United States
Film Career Success
De Niro’s career skyrocketed after starring in Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather Part II (1974), which earned him his first Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. He went on to deliver iconic performances in Taxi Driver (1976) and The Deer Hunter (1978), solidifying his status as one of the greatest actors of his generation. His portrayal of Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver and the famous line “You talkin’ to me?” became cultural landmarks. Known for his intense method acting, De Niro is renowned for his dedication to roles. For Raging Bull (1980), he gained 60 pounds and learned boxing to portray real-life boxer Jake LaMotta, winning Best Actor at the Academy Awards.
Directorial and Entrepreneurial Ventures
In 1993, De Niro made his directorial debut with A Bronx Tale, followed by The Good Shepherd (2006). In addition to his film career, he co-founded the Nobu restaurant chain with celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa. Nobu has become a global empire, with over 40 locations worldwide. This venture has significantly contributed to De Niro’s wealth, generating hundreds of millions annually. De Niro also owns the Greenwich Hotel in New York and has invested in numerous properties and restaurants, particularly in Lower Manhattan. He played a key role in the success of the Tribeca Film Festival, which he co-founded in 2002, and has expanded his wealth through various business ventures.
Personal Life
De Niro was married twice. His first marriage was to Diahnne Abbott, with whom he had a son, Raphael, and adopted Abbott’s daughter, Drena. The couple divorced in 1988. He then had a long-term relationship with model Toukie Smith, which resulted in twin sons born via surrogate in 1995. In 1997, he married Grace Hightower, and they had a son, Elliot, in 1998. The couple separated in 1999 but reconciled before ultimately divorcing in 2018. During their marriage, they had a daughter, Helen Grace, who was also born via surrogate in 2011. In 2023, De Niro welcomed his seventh child at the age of 79.
Business Ventures and Divorce
Outside of acting, De Niro is heavily involved in business ventures, most notably the Nobu chain. In 2017, he and Australian billionaire James Packer announced plans for a luxury resort called Paradise Found on the Caribbean island of Barbuda.
De Niro’s divorce from Grace Hightower included financial revelations, with claims that his net worth was at least $500 million. In their divorce settlement, it was determined that Grace would receive substantial spousal support, including $1 million per year for each year of marriage, a $6 million apartment, and half of their primary residence. In 2020, Grace filed a complaint accusing Robert of unfairly reducing her financial allowance during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the court ruled that the reduction was not unreasonable.
Real Estate
De Niro and Hightower purchased a 6,000-square-foot apartment in New York City in 2006 for $20.9 million. This apartment was later listed for sale in 2024 by Grace with an asking price of $20 million. De Niro also owns several properties in both East and West Manhattan, contributing to his extensive real estate portfolio. Robert De Niro’s multi-faceted career and business acumen have helped him build a substantial fortune, while his philanthropic work and continued dedication to his passions have made him one of Hollywood’s most influential figures.
What is Robert De Niro Net Worth and Salary 2025?
Robert De Niro, a legendary actor, producer, and director, has an estimated net worth of $500 million. Along with his successful acting career, he has amassed significant wealth through his business ventures, particularly as a co-founder of the high-end Nobu restaurant and hotel chain. Today, there are over 40 Nobu locations worldwide, generating hundreds of millions in revenue annually. According to legal documents from his divorce proceedings with Grace Hightower, his net worth was reported to be at least $500 million, with earnings of $250–$300 million between 2004 and 2018 from films and business investments.