Childhood and Education Journey of Robert De Niro in Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Robert De Niro. A timeline of key moments.

Robert De Niro is a highly acclaimed American actor, director, film producer, and restaurateur, widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential actors of his generation. He has received numerous awards, including two Academy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and nominations for several BAFTA and Emmy Awards. De Niro's contributions to the film industry have been recognized with prestigious honors such as the AFI Life Achievement Award, Kennedy Center Honors, Cecil B. DeMille Award, Presidential Medal of Freedom, Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award, and the Honorary Palme d'Or.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

August 17, 1943: Robert De Niro's Birth

On August 17, 1943, Robert Anthony De Niro was born. He later became an acclaimed actor, director, film producer, and restaurateur.

Others born on this day/year

1976: Married Diahnne Abbott

In 1976, De Niro married actress Diahnne Abbott. They later had a son, Raphael and he adopted her daughter Drena.

1988: Divorced Diahnne Abbott

In 1988, De Niro and Diahnne Abbott divorced.

1988: Relationship with Toukie Smith began

In 1988, De Niro began a relationship with model Toukie Smith.

1989: Investment in Tribeca

Since 1989, De Niro has been investing in Manhattan's Tribeca neighborhood.

1990: Tribeca Grill Opening

In 1990, De Niro opened Tribeca Grill, a New American restaurant located in Tribeca, Manhattan.

1995: Twins Julian and Airyn born

In 1995, De Niro and Toukie Smith had twins, Julian and Airyn, conceived via in vitro fertilization and delivered by a surrogate mother.

1996: Relationship with Toukie Smith ended

In 1996, De Niro's relationship with model Toukie Smith ended.

1997: Married Grace Hightower

In 1997, De Niro married actress Grace Hightower.

January 1998: Clinton-Lewinsky scandal helped generate publicity for 'Wag the Dog'

In January 1998, a month after the release of 'Wag the Dog', the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal dominated headlines, which helped generate publicity for the film.

February 1998: Questioned by French police in connection with prostitution ring

In February 1998, De Niro was questioned by French police regarding an international prostitution ring. He denied involvement and later filed a complaint against the examining magistrate.

1998: Son Elliot was born

In 1998, De Niro and Grace Hightower's son, Elliot, was born.

1998: Lobbying Against Impeachment

In 1998, De Niro lobbied U.S. Congress against impeaching President Bill Clinton.

1999: Split from Grace Hightower

In 1999, De Niro and Grace Hightower initially split, although their divorce was never finalized at that time.

1999: Threatened to sue "De Niro's Supper Club"

In 1999, De Niro threatened to sue the owners of "De Niro's Supper Club" in Vancouver, leading the restaurant to change its name to "Section (3)".

October 2003: Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

In October 2003, De Niro was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

December 2003: Prostate Cancer Surgery

In December 2003, De Niro underwent surgery for prostate cancer.

2004: Renewed vows with Grace Hightower

In 2004, De Niro and Grace Hightower renewed their vows.

2006: Italian Citizenship

In 2006, De Niro received Italian citizenship, despite opposition by the Sons of Italy.

2006: Tax assessment lawsuit over Gardiner estate

In 2006, a trust owning De Niro's Gardiner estate sued the town over its property tax assessment, leading to a legal battle.

December 2011: Daughter Helen was born via surrogate

In December 2011, De Niro and Grace Hightower's daughter, Helen, was born via surrogate.

2011: Traveled to France for the Cannes Film Festival

Despite previously stating he would not return to France, De Niro traveled there in 2011 for the Cannes Film Festival.

2012: Artists Against Fracking

In 2012, De Niro joined the anti-fracking campaign Artists Against Fracking.

2013: Attendance at Israeli Events

In 2013, De Niro attended Israeli President Shimon Peres's 90th birthday celebration and the Israeli Presidential conference.

2013: First Nobu Hotel Opening

In 2013, the first Nobu Hotel opened inside Caesars Palace, Las Vegas.

2014: Moved to apartment at 15 Central Park West

In 2014, De Niro and Grace Hightower moved into a 6,000-square-foot apartment at 15 Central Park West.

2014: Promoted anti-vaccination film Trace Amounts

In 2014, during an appearance on NBC's Today, De Niro promoted the anti-vaccination film Trace Amounts and stated that he doubted the scientific consensus that there was no link between autism and vaccines.

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2014: Appeal of property tax assessment decision and settlement

In 2014, the trust's lawyers appealed the 2006 decision regarding the property tax assessment. De Niro settled the case and the trust's accounting firm paid the town's legal bill after the dispute was publicized and angered local residents.

2015: James Packer Investment in Nobu

In 2015, De Niro partnered with James Packer after the billionaire acquired a 20 percent stake in Nobu for $100 million.

2016: Defended Vaxxed documentary and Tribeca Film Festival controversy

In 2016, De Niro initially defended the inclusion of the controversial documentary Vaxxed at the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival, which was later withdrawn. He also expressed his personal interest due to his autistic son, Elliot.

2016: Attended Friends of the Israel Defense Forces gala

Later in 2016, De Niro attended an annual celebrity gala for the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles, which raised $38 million for the organization.

February 2017: Joint presentation with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on vaccine safety

In February 2017, De Niro participated in a joint presentation with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to discuss concerns about vaccine safety.

October 2018: Targeted by explosive device at Tribeca Grill

In October 2018, De Niro was targeted by an explosive device found at the Tribeca Grill in Manhattan, where his production company is located. Similar devices were sent to other high-profile politicians.

2018: Separated from Grace Hightower after 20 years of marriage

In 2018, De Niro and Grace Hightower separated after 20 years of marriage.

August 2019: Canal Productions filed lawsuit against Graham Chase Robinson

In August 2019, De Niro's company, Canal Productions, filed a $6-million lawsuit against former employee Graham Chase Robinson, accusing her of misusing company funds and watching Netflix during work hours.

October 2019: Graham Chase Robinson filed lawsuit against De Niro

In October 2019, Graham Chase Robinson filed a lawsuit against De Niro, claiming harassment and gender discrimination.

April 19, 2021: Divorce hearing reveals financial strain

On April 19, 2021, during a divorce hearing with Grace Hightower, De Niro's lawyer argued that he was working at an unsustainable pace to support Hightower and pay off back taxes, while Hightower's lawyer claimed De Niro had been unfairly decreasing agreed-upon payments.

April 2023: Welcomed daughter Gia with Tiffany Chen

In April 2023, De Niro welcomed his seventh child, a daughter named Gia, with his girlfriend Tiffany Chen.

July 2023: Grandson Leandro De Niro Rodriguez died

In July 2023, De Niro's grandson, Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, died at age 19 from a combined drug intoxication involving fentanyl and cocaine.

November 2023: Jury verdict in Robinson lawsuit

In November 2023, a jury found De Niro not personally liable for gender discrimination, but his production company was ordered to pay Graham Chase Robinson $1.2 million in damages.

2024: Supported Joe Biden's re-election and criticized Donald Trump

In 2024, De Niro supported President Joe Biden for re-election and backed Kamala Harris's campaign after Biden dropped out. He criticized President Donald Trump, calling him a "buffoon" and comparing his politics to fascism.