You probably know Robert De Niro as the guy who can stare a hole through a brick wall on screen. He’s the Godfather, the Raging Bull, the guy who asked if you were talkin' to him. But off-camera? The man’s life is a massive, sprawling family tree that spans decades. People always seem to get tripped up when talking about the Robert De Niro twins, mostly because he’s got seven kids in total and they all grew up in very different eras of his fame.
Honestly, it's wild to think about. He has a daughter in her fifties and a toddler who isn't even three yet. Right in the middle of that timeline sit the twins.
They weren't born during the peak of his 70s grit or his later-stage "funny grandpa" comedy phase. They arrived in the mid-90s, a time when De Niro was notoriously private about his personal life. Because he kept things so locked down, there’s always been a bit of a mystery surrounding them.
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The Backstory: Julian and Airyn
The twins were born on October 20, 1995. Their mother is Toukie Smith, a successful model and actress who De Niro dated for about eight years. They never actually married, which was a big deal for the tabloids back then, but they were a solid fixture in the New York scene for a long time.
If you're looking for the specifics, the twins were conceived via in vitro fertilization and delivered via a surrogate mother. That was relatively "new" news for the public in 1995, and it kept the gossip columns buzzing. Their names are Julian Henry De Niro and Airyn De Niro.
Wait, you might be thinking: "Wasn't it Julian and Aaron?"
Yeah, for years, the public knew the second twin as Aaron Kendrick De Niro. But things changed recently. In early 2025, Airyn came out as transgender. In a very candid interview with Them magazine, she opened up about the transition, the pressure of being in the spotlight, and how she felt about being "outed" by paparazzi photos.
De Niro, ever the protective father, hasn't missed a beat. He’s gone on record with Variety saying he loved and supported Airyn as his son and loves and supports her now as his daughter. Basically, he doesn't see what the big deal is. To him, it’s just family.
Growing Up De Niro
Imagine having Bobby De Niro as your dad. Kind of intimidating, right?
The twins grew up in a household that valued privacy above everything else. While some celebrity kids are pushed onto red carpets before they can walk, Julian and Airyn were kept mostly out of the limelight. They were raised biracial in a world that wasn't always kind about it. De Niro has spoken before about the "worries" he has as a father of Black children, noting that even he, with all his privilege, doesn't take the reality of their experience for granted.
They’re 30 now. That’s a long time to live under the shadow of a legend.
Julian’s Path to the Screen
Julian is the one who caught the acting bug. It’s almost inevitable when your dad is one of the greatest to ever do it. But he didn't just coast on his last name. He actually studied at NYU, specifically at the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences.
He’s a math and computer science guy. Not exactly what you expect from Hollywood royalty.
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Despite the "nerdtastic" (as some call it) academic background, he’s made some moves in the industry:
- He played a young Barack Obama in the Showtime series The First Lady (2022).
- He appeared in the film In Dubious Battle with James Franco and Selena Gomez.
- He’s done work on the stage and even had a research study on Twitter data published in the Washington Post.
It’s a weird, cool mix of high-level academia and prestige acting. He seems to be picking roles that actually matter rather than just chasing fame.
Airyn’s Privacy and Transition
Airyn, on the other hand, was the "quiet" one for a long time. She stayed away from the cameras. She lived a life that was, for the most part, totally anonymous.
That changed in 2025. After some pretty harsh tabloid coverage regarding her appearance—specifically focusing on her long pink hair and "edgier" style—she decided to take control of the narrative. Coming out as a trans woman wasn't just a personal milestone; it was a way to stop the rumors.
She’s spoken about the anxiety of transitioning while being part of such a famous family. Interestingly, she often mentions her mother, Toukie Smith, as a source of inspiration. She wants to be remembered for her spirit and personality, much like people remember Toukie's vibrant energy from the 80s and 90s.
The Rest of the De Niro Brood
You can't really talk about the twins without looking at the rest of the pack. It’s a huge group.
- Drena De Niro: The eldest. Robert adopted her during his marriage to Diahnne Abbott. She’s an actress and filmmaker herself.
- Raphael De Niro: Robert’s first biological son. He did some acting but pivoted hard into high-end real estate. He’s the guy A-listers call when they need a $20 million penthouse in Tribeca.
- Elliot De Niro: Born in 1998 to Robert and Grace Hightower. Robert famously revealed Elliot has autism back in 2016, and the kid is a hell of a tennis player in the Special Olympics.
- Helen Grace: Born via surrogate in 2011. She’s a teenager now, often seen at events with her dad.
- Gia Virginia Chen-De Niro: The "surprise" baby born in 2023 with De Niro’s current partner, Tiffany Chen.
The age gap between Drena and Gia is over 50 years. That is a lot of birthday parties to keep track of.
Why Does This Matter?
It matters because the De Niro family represents a shift in how we look at "legacy" families. They aren't the perfect, polished Kardashians. They’re a real, blended, multi-generational family dealing with real-world stuff—autism, gender identity, career pivots, and the loss of loved ones (like the tragic passing of Robert’s grandson, Leandro, in 2023).
People search for "Robert De Niro twins" because they want to know if the talent translates. Does Julian have the same intensity? How does Airyn handle the pressure?
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But really, the story is about a father who, despite being a global icon, seems to just want his kids to be okay. Whether they're studying algorithms at NYU or transitioning in the public eye, he's there.
Moving Forward
If you’re following the De Niro family, keep an eye on Julian’s upcoming projects. He’s proving to be a versatile actor who isn't afraid of complex roles. As for Airyn, her journey is her own, but her openness has already sparked a lot of necessary conversation about privacy and the rights of celebrity children.
If you want to understand the man behind the "tough guy" persona, look at his kids. They're all doing their own thing, mostly on their own terms.
Next Steps for Readers:
- Check out Julian De Niro's performance in The First Lady to see his take on a young Obama.
- Look into the work of the De Niro Team at Douglas Elliman if you're curious about how the family has dominated New York real estate.
- Support organizations like Them or GLAAD that provide platforms for trans voices, especially when they face tabloid scrutiny.