Robert De Niro Speaks Out About Daughter’s Transition

Robert De Niro, 81, recently broke his silence after one of his children, Airyn, came out as transgender at the age of 29. The iconic actor, who has seven children with four different women, has been open about his family over the years, but this marks a more personal and public moment for him.

In April 2023, De Niro welcomed his youngest child with partner Tiffany Chen, and now, his 29-year-old daughter, Airyn, is sharing her journey. Born in 1995 while De Niro was in a relationship with model Toukie Smith, Airyn has lived much of her life out of the public eye. However, recently, she revealed she is transgender and opened up about the challenges she faced in meeting “beauty standards” before beginning her transition.

In an exclusive interview with Them, Airyn said, “It just felt right. I feel that this is what I’m supposed to be doing.” She described her transition as something deeply personal, adding that she started hormone therapy in November 2024 after feeling inspired by other trans women who publicly shared their stories.

“I saw other trans women succeed and be open about their transitions, especially on social media, and I thought, ‘Maybe I still have time to do this,’” she explained.

Despite growing up with one of Hollywood’s most famous actors, Airyn expressed gratitude for the privacy her parents maintained during her childhood. “I’m thankful they kept me out of the spotlight,” she said. “They wanted me to have as normal a childhood as possible, and they made it a priority.”

Now, as she enters the public conversation surrounding her transition, Airyn is eager to succeed “on my own merit,” and she’s currently pursuing a degree in mental health counseling. She hopes her story can inspire others, particularly Black and queer people, saying, “I would love to see more transgender and Black women who aren’t super thin or fit the ‘heroin chic’ stereotype. We need more representation for all body types.”

De Niro, always supportive of his children, responded to his daughter’s coming out with a simple, heartfelt message. In an interview with People, he said, “I love and support Airyn as my daughter. I don’t understand why this is a big deal. I love all of my kids.”

This moment coincides with increasing political and social debates about transgender rights in the United States, with recent executive orders prohibiting the expression of “gender ideology” and public criticism of trans rights. Despite these political challenges, Airyn remains focused on her goals, expressing hope that her story will inspire at least one person who feels underrepresented.

“I just want to be seen for who I am,” she concluded.