Robert de Niro’s Grandson Passes Away: ‘Beautiful Sweet Angel'
- Just weeks after Robert De Niro welcomed a new member to his family, tragedy struck.
- De Niro's daughter, Drena, shared the heartbreaking news with fans on social media.
- De Niro was a wonderful grandfather to Drena's son before his tragic and untimely passing.
Robert De Niro's family has been making headlines over the past couple of weeks. The star welcomed a new baby with his girlfriend, shocking fans by having a baby so late in life.
While some judged De Niro, others acknowledged what a wonderful father he was to his children. He has a beautiful relationship with each child, including his adopted daughter, Drena.
Robert De Niro at a press conference for the exhibition of his father's paintings at La Piscine in Roubaix, France on June 18th, 2005. | Source: Getty Images
This week, Drena took to Instagram to announce the passing of her 19-year-old son, Leandro, whom she called a "beautiful sweet angel." She shared a photo of her son and admitted she wished that love could have saved him. Drena also expressed how much she loved him and how much she would miss him. No cause of death has been released.
De Niro's Unbreakable Bond with His Adopted Daughter
Many fans flocked to Drena's comments to wish her love and peace during this difficult time. One of the people who undoubtedly supports her through this challenging time is her adoptive father, De Niro.
Diahnne Abbot, Drena De Niro and Robert De Niro at the screening and party for "New York, New York" in 1977 | Source: Getty Images
De Niro and Drena have shared a wonderfully close relationship since he adopted her after he and Drena's mother, Diahnne Abbot, married in April 1976. Abbot and De Niro met while filming "Taxi Driver."
Although Abbot and De Niro divorced in 1988, De Niro and Drena remained as close as ever. Drena has often talked about what De Niro has taught her, and she says one of the things she has learned from him is how to separate her personal life from her profession.
Robert De Niro and Drena De Niro in New York in 1988. | Source: Getty Images
Drena and Robert De Niro at the Vanity Fair Tribeca Film Festival in 2010. | Source: Getty Images
When Drena expressed an interest in following in his acting footsteps, De Niro had no advice to offer but let her know that he would support her in anything she chose to do with her life, which she has always appreciated.
De Niro As A Grandpa
In 2003, Drena made De Niro a grandfather to her only son, Leandro. Leandro also followed in his grandfather's acting footsteps, starring alongside his mother in 2018's "A Star Is Born."
When asked what advice he usually gives to his children and grandchildren about their lives, De Niro shared:
"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.' 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."
He also mentioned that when he became a parent, he became more aware and sensitive about certain things around him that might harm himself or his family.
Rest in peace to Leandro. We wish the De Niro family nothing but peace and healing during this difficult time.
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