Robert De Niro has nothing but love and support for his daughter Airyn De Niro, who recently came out as transgender woman and opened up about “stepping into [her] new identity.”
Airyn, the actor's daughter with his former partner Toukie Smith, spoke about her identity in an interview with Them magazine, saying she has always been visible but not yet seen.
Airyn also disclosed that while she has been “femme-presenting since middle school,” she only began hormone therapy in November 2024.
“Trans women being honest and open, especially [in] public spaces like social media and getting to see them in their success… I’m like, you know what? Maybe it’s not too late for me,” she said, recalling her internal process prior to transitioning.
“I think a big part of [my transition] is also the influence Black women have had on me,” she continued. “I think stepping into this new identity, while also being more proud of my Blackness, makes me feel closer to them in some way.”
During the interview, Airyn also spoke about her parents and her upbringing which she’s grateful for.
“Obviously no parent is perfect, but I am grateful that both my parents agreed to keep me out of the limelight,” she was quoted as saying. “They have told me they wanted me to have as much of a normal childhood as possible.”
Robert then expressed his love for Airyn in a statement obtained by Variety.
“I loved and supported Aaron as my son, and now I love and support Airyn as my daughter,” he said, referring the latter’s former and current name.
“I don’t know what the big deal is,” the Godfather star added. “I love all my children.”
Aside from Airyn, Robert has six more children from his current and three previous relationships —Airyn’s twin brother Julian, Drena, Raphael, Elliot, Helen Grace, and Gia whom the 81-year-old actor welcomed in 2023. – Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network
