Robert De Niro, 81, reveals number one parenting rule after admitting he doesn’t change baby’s diapers

Robert De Niro has revealed what he thinks the most important rule of parenting is.

The 81-year-old Hollywood icon is dad to seven kids — his youngest being two-year-old daughter Gia, whom he shares with girlfriend Tiffany Chen, 45.

‘The main thing is to support your kids,’ the seasoned parent — who just attended Cannes Film Festival — said. 

He reiterated while speaking to Entertainment Tonight: ‘As long as they’re not hurting themselves, doing anything destructive or anything like that, you have to support them — period.’

The A Bronx Tale star added, ‘Even if you don’t go with it or think that they… you have to support them. And they have to know that you support them. Always.’

During his ET interview, the seasoned entertainer also opened up about his youngest child, whom he and Chen welcomed in April 2023. 

Robert De Niro has revealed what he thinks the most important rule of parenting is; pictured in March

The 81-year-old Hollywood icon is dad to seven kids, his youngest being two-year-old daughter Gia, whom he shares with girlfriend Tiffany Chen, 45

‘She’s just pure joy,’ the proud father gushed. ‘She’s two now, so as they get older and older then… you know? But it’s always wonderful. Pure joy, what can I say?’

It comes after he admitted that he does not change his baby’s diapers. 

‘No, no, but I used to,’ he told Sunday Times in January. ‘I spend my mornings watching Miss Rachel with her, and I give her her bottle.’

In addition to Gia, the actor is a parent to Drena, 57, Raphael, 48, twins Julian and Aaron, 29, Elliot, 27, and Helen, 14.

His first two children came from his marriage to Diahnne Abbott. He went on to welcome twins with girlfriend Toukie Smith.

Elliot and Helen are shared with ex-wife Grace Hightower — the two married in 1997 and separated in 2018.

On the Today show in 2023, De Niro said about becoming a father for the seventh time: ‘It feels great.’ 

In regards to how he has changed as a father, the star told host Hoda Kotb, ‘I have certain awareness — when you’re older you have awareness of certain things in life, dynamics, everything, family dynamics.’ 

De Niro pictured with girlfriend Tiffany (L) and daughter, Helen, 14 (R)

Robert and his daughter Drena pictured in November 2016

The actor is seen with son Raphael and ex-wife Grace Hightower in 2004

The Goodfellas sensation added, ‘You can’t avoid learning certain things and how you can deal with those and manage them and this and that, the usual.

‘It’s amazing, but I’m very happy about it.’

Shortly after the news of his new family addition came to light, the actor told Page Six that welcoming his youngest child was ‘planned’ and questioned ‘how you could not plan that kind of thing.’

Meanwhile, he told The Guardian in October 2023, ‘[Having children] doesn’t get easier. It is what it is. It’s OK. I mean, I don’t do the heavy lifting. 

‘I’m there, I support my girlfriend. But she does the work. And we have help, which is so important.’

***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk