Robert De Niro is known for being one of the world’s most famous actors, but he is also a family man and father of seven children.

This month, De Niro’s daughter Airyn came out as transgender in an interview with LGBTQ+ publication Them. Robert De Niro expressed his ‘love’ and ‘support’ for his daughter following the interview. ‘I loved and supported Aaron as my son, and now I love and support Airyn as my daughter,’ he told Deadline in response. ‘I don’t know what the big deal is. I love all my children.’

Airyn, 29 is one of De Niro’s seven children. He welcomed Airyn and her twin brother Julian in 1995 with his ex-partner, model Toukie Smith.

In the interview, Airyn explained she started to transition last year. She began hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in November, after seeing successful trans women open up about their transitions.

‘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 told the publication. ‘Maybe I can start.’ As a transgender women, she explained, ‘there’s a difference between being visible and being seen,’ adding ‘I’ve been visible. I don’t think I’ve been seen yet.’

Alongside Airyn and Julian, De Niro is also father to daughters Drena, 57, Helen Grace, 13, and Gia, 2, sons Raphael, 48, Elliot, 27 and most recently, daughter Gia Virginia Chen-De Niro, who he became a father to in 2023 aged 79. In an interview with ET Canada last year, he spoke about celebrating Gia’s first birthday. ‘She had a little cake, it was nice, very sweet,’ he said. ‘Well, she’s pure joy, there’s nothing about her, there’s no judgment, there’s no anything, she just is what she is and it’s just pure joy for god sakes.’

Airyn explained that when she attends gatherings on her father’s side of the family, they often mention how happy De Niro was when he was with her mother Toukie. Now, Airyn wants to continue her mother’s example. ‘Whether it’s just turning on the charm or not putting on a mask, but wanting to be feminine in a way that’s inviting and warm and welcoming,’ she told Them.

She said that LGBTQ advocate Laverne Cox is one of her role models, alongside Naomi Campbell, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, and Keke Palmer. In response, Laverne posted a touching Instagram video thanking Airyn for the recognition.

‘I just read that I’m one of the women who’ve inspired you over the years and I’m deeply, deeply honored that I can be an inspiration for you,’ she said. ‘Reading that from you, Airyn, was a reminder that I have enough, I am enough, and I do enough, and I want to congratulate you on embracing the beauty that you are and I’m not talking about the outside. I’m talking about the beauty that is being trans.’

Airyn also touched on her own relationship with her father. ‘Obviously no parent is perfect, but I am grateful that both my parents agreed to keep me out of the limelight. They wanted it very private. They have told me they wanted me to have as much of a normal childhood as possible,’ she said, adding that while she has dreams of pursuing a career in Hollywood, she’d like to achieve it on her own terms. ‘I wasn’t brought up having a side part in one of dad’s movies or going to business meetings or attending premieres […] My dad was very big on us finding our own sort of path. I would want [success] to happen on my own merit.’

As for De Niro, he’s previously addressed the ‘nepo baby’ debate. In an interview with People in 2020, he explained that, while he’s not against the concept, his children should only go into acting if they really want to do it. ‘For my kids, I tell them, ‘If you want to be an actor or you want to do this or that, that’s fine as long as you’re happy. Just don’t sell yourself short,’ he told People. ‘That’s the most I would say: ‘Push yourself a little more and reach for what you really think it is you want to do. Don’t be afraid.’ It’s important for them to find their own lane.’ He also told ET Canada in 2023 that he De Niro told ET Canada that he has to treat to ride the line between being ‘loving’ and ‘stern’ while raising his family.

Airyn is also studying to become a mental health counsellor, and said she hoped that speaking publicly about her transition could be an inspiration ‘for at least one other person like me who is black, who is queer, who’s not a size extra small.’

Airyn reposted Cox’s video on Instagram this week, and thanked her followers for their support. ‘Thank you to everyone who’s been so sweet and supportive! I’m not used to all these eyes one me,’ she wrote, endearingly referring to herself as ‘just a girl with a phone.’