Robert De Niro, the famous actor who has won an Academy Award, was seen with Tiffany Chen in August 2021. This was after he and his ex-wife, Grace Hightower, split up in November 2018.
De Niro and Chen first appeared together in public, showing affection, which got people talking about their dating. They met several years earlier while working on a movie together in 2015. Chen was in the movie called The Intern, where De Niro was the star.
Despite going on trips to Europe and having dinner together, neither De Niro nor Chen has talked openly about their relationship.
In May 2023, De Niro mentioned during an interview with ET Canada that he had a new baby, his seventh child. However, he didn’t say who the mother was at that time. Later, his colleague from the movie About My Father, Kim Cattrall, confirmed that the baby, named Gia, was with De Niro’s girlfriend, Chen.
De Niro has six kids from past relationships. With his first wife, Diahnne Abbott, he has a daughter named Drena and a son named Raphael. Then in 1995, he had twin boys named Julian and Aaron with his ex-girlfriend Toukie Smith. De Niro also has a son named Elliot and a daughter named Helen Grace with his ex-wife, Hightower.
Now, let’s dive into everything about De Niro’s girlfriend, Tiffany Chen.
Key Takeaways
- Robert De Niro’s relationship with Tiffany Chen began sparking interest after their public appearances in 2021.
- Chen, a martial arts expert and dancer met De Niro on the set of “The Intern” in 2015.
- Their relationship progressed leading to the birth of their daughter Gia in 2023.
- Chen faced health challenges postpartum, including a diagnosis of Bell’s palsy.
Tiffany Chen’s Journey in Martial Arts
Chen is a martial arts expert with an impressive background. She’s won many gold medals and world titles throughout her career. Born into a family deeply involved in kung fu, her father being Grandmaster William C.C. Chen, she’s been immersed in the world of martial arts since childhood.
“I never practiced tai chi with the intention of fighting. I learned the form, I learned some push hands, and then I started competing,” Chen explained in an interview with Inside Kung-Fu. She entered her first push-hands competition when she was just 16 years old.
At the age of 26, she was honored with induction into the Hall of Fame by a martial arts magazine in February 2011, being named competitor of the year. “My goal has always been to reach the level of skill my father has,” she shared with the publication.
Chen’s Early Athletic Foundation
Though martial arts is her main passion, Chen’s journey into the sport began with her early involvement in dance, such as ballet and hula. She also started swimming and doing gymnastics when she was just five years old, as stated on her website.
By the time she was eight, Chen had started figure skating and even won three gold medals in a regional competition by the age of 11. Seeking to refine her skills further, she tried ballroom dancing classes but soon discovered that tai chi was the key to enhancing her form.
Chen’s Role in “The Intern”
Because of her remarkable martial arts expertise, Chen landed a movie role that perfectly matched her abilities. This opportunity brought her face-to-face with the Oscar-winning actor for the first time.
They crossed paths while filming the 2015 movie The Intern, where Chen portrayed a Tai Chi instructor who assisted De Niro’s character.
Sparks Fly in the South of France
In August 2021, whispers of romance began swirling around the pair when they were photographed holding hands during a getaway in the South of France. They appeared cozy as they strolled together toward a lavish yacht, joining a circle of friends onboard.
Later, they were captured sharing a kiss on the boat, with images published by The Daily Mail. According to the outlet, the luxurious vessel belonged to De Niro’s billionaire associate, James Packer.
De Niro Enjoys Leisurely Dinner with Friends
Chen and De Niro were recently seen together leaving Giorgio Baldi restaurant in Santa Monica in March 2023. Photos obtained by Daily Mail show them alongside Harvey Keitel and Billy Crystal, who joined them for dinner.
According to an eyewitness at Giorgio Baldi, the group enjoyed a leisurely dinner and stayed until close to closing time. “Robert and Tiffany sat beside each other. He’s a regular here and knew exactly what to order. They seemed happy together,” the eyewitness shared.
“They were affectionate and caring towards each other,” the eyewitness added about De Niro’s behavior.
De Niro’s Supportive Partner
With the actor’s announcement about his seventh child, a source informed PEOPLE that De Niro and Chen reside together in Los Angeles, where De Niro keeps a hectic work schedule.
“He finished Wise Guys earlier this year,” the source stated. “He was incredibly dedicated and lively during filming. His professionalism and talent were outstanding. A true acting master.”
The insider further noted that “Tiffany appeared supportive” and “dropped by the set” where her partner was filming. “He seemed thrilled to have her there,” they added.
She was with De Niro at the Oscars in March 2024, where he was up for an award for his role in a movie called Killers of the Flower Moon. They walked together on the fancy red carpet and then sat together, holding hands, in the Dolby Theatre.
Robert De Niro Welcomes Daughter Gia
De Niro celebrated the arrival of his seventh baby on April 6, 2023. He revealed the joyful news during an interview with ET Canada in May 2023. At that moment, he didn’t mention who the mother was, but his co-star Cattrall later confirmed it was Chen.
In the same month, De Niro proudly shared the first picture of his daughter, Gia Virginia Chen De Niro, with Gayle King on CBS Mornings. He emphasized that the baby was “planned.”
When asked by The Guardian about raising a newborn at 80 years old, De Niro acknowledged that Chen takes on most of the responsibilities. He said, “I’m there to support my girlfriend. But she does the majority of the work. And we have assistance, which is very important.”
In December 2023, De Niro mentioned that he and Chen intend to raise Gia to be bilingual. “She’s half-Chinese. I want to teach her Chinese and expose her to nursery rhymes in both English and Chinese,” he shared during an interview with Rolling Stone. “I’m eager for her to learn both languages.”
Chen diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy
After giving birth to her child with De Niro, Tiffany Chen faced a frightening health issue during her postpartum period and was later diagnosed with Bell’s palsy. She shared her ordeal during an interview with Gayle King on CBS Mornings in July.
“I started feeling strange sensations in my tongue when I got home,” she recalled. “It felt a bit numb and tingly. Then, my face started feeling odd. I couldn’t quite understand what was happening.”
King asked if her reflection looked different. Chen replied, “Yes.”
“Once I got home, it felt like everything was collapsing. My face seemed to be drooping,” Tiffany Chen elaborated. “About a week after giving birth, it all hit me. I called my doctor while struggling to eat.”
She continued, “When I tried to eat, the food just fell out of my mouth. I couldn’t chew properly. And then I started slurring my words. That’s when I realized something serious was happening.”
Chen was promptly advised to “go straight to the hospital.” She recounted, “They admitted me. As soon as I arrived, I lost all movement in my face.”
Quick Facts
1. What is Tiffany Chen known for? Tiffany Chen is an accomplished martial arts instructor and holds multiple world titles.
2. Is Tiffany Chen in the film industry? Yes, Chen had a minor role in the movie “The Intern” alongside Robert De Niro.
3. How did Robert De Niro and Tiffany Chen meet? Their paths crossed while filming “The Intern” in 2015, but their relationship blossomed years later.
4. When did Robert De Niro and Tiffany Chen start dating? Dating rumors surfaced in August 2021 after they were seen together.
5. Do Robert De Niro and Tiffany Chen have any children together? Yes, they welcomed a daughter, Gia Virginia Chen De Niro, in April 2023.
6. What is Tiffany Chen’s background in martial arts? She comes from a martial arts family and her father is Grandmaster William C.C. Chen.
7. What are some of Tiffany Chen’s achievements in martial arts? By the age of 26, she was inducted into the Inside Kung-Fu magazine’s Hall of Fame.
8. Is there anything else Tiffany Chen is known for? There are reports that she might have some involvement in the film industry beyond acting, but details are unclear.
9. Are Robert De Niro and Tiffany Chen still together? While they maintain a private life, they haven’t been seen together recently and haven’t confirmed their current status.
10. What happened to Tiffany Chen? An MRI showed that Chen had Bell’s palsy, a mysterious medical condition that leads to significant muscle weakness or facial paralysis.
Wrap Up
Tiffany Chen’s journey from martial arts champion to Robert De Niro’s partner illustrates a tale of talent, romance, and resilience. Despite facing health challenges, her bond with De Niro remains strong as they navigate parenthood together. Their story continues to captivate audiences, showcasing love’s enduring power amidst life’s trials.
