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People love a good comeback story, but in Hollywood, the "happily ever after" usually has a few more sequels than a Marvel franchise. When you talk about Robert De Niro and his wife, you’re actually opening a door to a decades-long saga of high-stakes litigation, secret ceremonies, and a very unexpected late-life plot twist.
Honestly, if you go on Google right now and search for De Niro's "wife," the results are a bit of a mess. Is he married? Is he divorced? Who’s the woman standing next to him at Cannes or the White House?
Here’s the reality: Robert De Niro is not currently married. He is, however, in the most stable and high-profile relationship he’s had in years. Since roughly 2021, his partner has been Tiffany Chen. She isn't just "the girlfriend"—she’s a world-class martial arts champion, a Tai Chi instructor, and the mother of his seventh child, Gia Virginia Chen De Niro.
The Grace Hightower Era: Why the "Wife" Label is Complicated
For over twenty years, the name synonymous with "De Niro’s wife" was Grace Hightower. They married in 1997, but their relationship was anything but a straight line. They split up just two years later in 1999, sparked a messy custody battle, and then—in a move that shocked the tabloids—reconciled and renewed their vows in 2004.
It felt like they’d made it.
Then 2018 hit. The couple announced their separation, and what followed was a legal marathon. If you’ve followed the news over the last few years, you’ve probably seen the headlines about their $500 million divorce battle.
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Grace argued that she was entitled to half of De Niro’s massive fortune, which includes not just movie checks but a literal empire of Nobu restaurants and hotels. The court eventually ruled that their 2004 prenuptial agreement held water. The "wife" title officially became "ex-wife," though the legal dust from a 21-year marriage takes a long time to settle.
Who is Tiffany Chen?
If you’re wondering how a 1943-born legend meets a martial arts expert, you have to look back at the 2015 film The Intern. Tiffany was hired to teach De Niro’s character Tai Chi. She didn't just consult; she’s actually in the movie.
Tiffany isn't some Hollywood socialite. She’s the daughter of Kung Fu Grandmaster William C.C. Chen. She grew up in a world of "push hands" competitions and internal meditation. By the time she was 26, she was already in the Inside Kung-Fu Hall of Fame.
The couple kept things incredibly low-key for years. We didn't really get confirmation until they were spotted on a yacht in the South France in 2021. Even then, they didn't do the whole "red carpet debut" thing immediately.
The Surprise of 2023: Baby Gia
In May 2023, an ET Canada reporter asked De Niro about being a father of six.
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"Seven, actually," he corrected.
The world collectively gasped. At 79 (he’s now 82), De Niro had welcomed a daughter, Gia, with Tiffany.
It wasn't an accident. De Niro later told reporters that the pregnancy was planned. "How could you not plan that kind of thing?" he joked.
But it wasn't all celebrations. Tiffany later opened up to Gayle King on CBS Mornings about a terrifying health scare she faced after giving birth. She developed Bell’s palsy, a condition that causes facial paralysis. She described the sensation as her "face melting on itself." Thankfully, she recovered, and the couple has since been seen looking quite happy at major events, including the 2024 White House state dinner.
The De Niro Family Tree in 2026
To understand the man, you have to look at the sheer scale of his family. It’s a tapestry of different eras of his life.
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- The Abbott Years: He shares Drena (whom he adopted) and Raphael with his first wife, Diahnne Abbott.
- The Toukie Smith Era: He has twin sons, Julian and Airyn, from his long-term relationship with model Toukie Smith. (Note: Airyn came out as transgender in 2025).
- The Hightower Years: Elliot and Helen Grace.
- The Present: Little Gia.
What This Means for the Legacy
De Niro has admitted that Tiffany does the "heavy lifting" with the baby. He’s 82, after all. He’s been candid about the fact that parenting doesn't necessarily get easier with age, but he seems more "present" now.
He recently mentioned in an interview that he wants to be around for as long as possible to see Gia grow up. He’s even trying to ensure she grows up bilingual, honoring Tiffany’s Chinese heritage.
If you're looking for the "wife" in this story, you won't find a marriage certificate signed in the 2020s. What you'll find instead is a man who, after two marriages and several high-profile breakups, seems to have found a different kind of rhythm with a woman who is literally a master of balance.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Followers
If you’re trying to keep up with the De Niro news cycle, keep these points in mind so you don't get tripped up by old SEO bait:
- Check the Date: Articles from 2017 will still refer to Grace Hightower as his wife. She is his ex-wife, and their divorce was one of the most expensive in celebrity history.
- Know the Name: Tiffany Chen is the current partner. She is a professional athlete and instructor, not just a "mystery woman."
- Watch for Project Crossovers: De Niro often works with people he knows. Tiffany’s background in martial arts is what brought them together on The Intern.
- The "Seven" Rule: Any source claiming he has six kids is outdated. Gia Virginia is the seventh.
The story of Robert De Niro’s personal life is a reminder that "family" is a fluid concept. Whether he ever walks down the aisle for a third time remains to be seen, but for now, the "wife" search leads to a much more interesting reality: a martial arts pro and a Hollywood kingpin raising a toddler in the 2020s.
To stay truly updated on his latest projects and family news, you can follow the official press releases from the Tribeca Film Festival, which De Niro co-founded and where Tiffany is frequently spotted by his side.