Airyn De Niro: Life, Identity, Family, and Her Journey in the Spotlight

When the name De Niro comes up, most people immediately think of Robert De Niro, one of the greatest actors of his generation, known for his unforgettable roles in Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, Goodfellas, and The Irishman. However, in recent years, another De Niro has begun making headlines, not for movies or Hollywood fame, but for courage, honesty, and self-discovery. That person is Airyn De Niro, the daughter of Robert De Niro and model-actress Toukie Smith.

Airyn’s story is layered: it weaves together her family’s legacy, her own artistic ambitions, her transition and public coming out as a transgender woman, and the challenges of growing up as the child of two well-known parents while maintaining her individuality. In this article, we’ll take a detailed look at who Airyn De Niro is, her background, her parents and siblings, her mother Toukie Smith’s career, her reported birth name, and her age and birthday. We’ll also touch on rumors like whether she has a son, while clarifying what’s true and what’s not.

Who is Airyn De Niro?

Airyn De Niro is the daughter of Robert De Niro, the Academy Award–winning actor, and Toukie Smith, a respected model and actress. Born in 1995, Airyn grew up largely outside of the public eye, unlike many celebrity children. For much of her life, she lived privately, shielded by her parents’ decision to raise her and her twin brother away from the Hollywood spotlight.

In 2025, however, Airyn stepped forward and publicly shared her story, coming out as a transgender woman. She made her debut in a major feature with Them magazine, where she spoke openly about her transition, her journey toward self-acceptance, and the support she received from her family—especially her father, Robert De Niro.

Airyn has described herself as a model, voice actress, and a student preparing for a career in mental health counseling. She has expressed her desire to help others who are going through struggles similar to her own.

Airyn De Niro’s Birth Name

One of the most widely searched questions about Airyn is her birth name. Multiple outlets, including entertainment news websites, have reported that she was originally named Aaron Kendrick De Niro at birth. This is unconfirmed by Airyn herself, but it is the name most often attributed to her prior to her transition.

Whether or not “Aaron Kendrick” was her birth name, what is certain is that Airyn has chosen her authentic identity today, and that is what she emphasizes publicly. In interviews, she has been clear that her focus is on who she is now, rather than on past labels.

Airyn De Niro’s Age and Birthday

According to published biographies and news reports, Airyn De Niro was born on October 20, 1995. That makes her 29 years old as of 2025. Her birthday, shared with her twin brother Julian, places her under the zodiac sign of Libra.

Being born into a high-profile family inevitably brings media attention, but her parents attempted to provide her with as normal an upbringing as possible. Even though her father was constantly in the spotlight, Airyn and Julian were mostly kept out of tabloids during their childhood.

Airyn De Niro’s Parents

Airyn De Niro comes from two very prominent parents.

• Robert De Niro (Father): A legendary actor, director, and producer, Robert De Niro is widely regarded as one of the greatest actors in cinematic history. With a career spanning over five decades, he is known for his versatility, intensity, and collaborations with Martin Scorsese. While his acting career is iconic, in his personal life, De Niro has always been described as a protective and loving father. Regarding Airyn’s transition, Robert publicly said:

  “I loved and supported Aaron as my son, and now I love and support Airyn as my daughter.”

• Toukie Smith (Mother): Airyn’s mother, Toukie Smith, was a celebrated model in the late 1970s and 1980s. She appeared in magazines such as Vogue and ELLE and worked with famous designers, including Geoffrey Beene and Versace. She also had acting roles, most notably on the sitcom 227. Toukie was born Doris A. Smith on September 25, 1952, and built a strong reputation as a stylish, groundbreaking Black model.

Together, Robert De Niro and Toukie Smith were partners for about eight years, from 1988 to 1996. During that time, they had twins, Airyn and Julian, via in vitro fertilization and a surrogate mother.

Airyn De Niro’s Mother: Spotlight on Toukie Smith

Toukie Smith is an important figure in Airyn’s story. She broke barriers in fashion as one of the early African American models to achieve international success. Her career included not just modeling but also acting. Many people who know Airyn today often connect her mother’s groundbreaking work in the fashion world with Airyn’s own ambitions in modeling.

Toukie’s partnership with Robert De Niro ended in the mid-1990s, but she continued to raise her children with support from De Niro. Despite her fame, Toukie valued privacy for her children, which helped Airyn avoid the overwhelming glare of Hollywood during her formative years.

Airyn De Niro’s Family and Siblings

The De Niro family is large and blended. Airyn is part of Robert De Niro’s extended family, which includes seven children:

1. Drena De Niro – Adopted daughter of Robert and his first wife, Diahnne Abbott.

2. Raphael De Niro – Robert’s biological son with Diahnne Abbott, now a successful real estate broker.

3. Elliot De Niro – Son of Robert and Grace Hightower.

4. Helen Grace De Niro – Daughter of Robert and Grace Hightower, born via surrogate.

5. Julian De Niro – Airyn’s twin brother, born in 1995.

6. Gia Virginia Chen-De Niro – Robert’s youngest daughter, born in 2023 with Tiffany Chen.

7. Airyn De Niro herself.

Airyn’s twin brother, Julian, has pursued a different path. He has occasionally appeared in public alongside his father but remains low-key compared to his famous relatives.

The De Niro family has often been the subject of media fascination, but Robert has expressed that his greatest pride is not his acting accolades but his role as a father.

Does Airyn De Niro Have a Son?

A frequent search query is whether Airyn De Niro has a son. Based on all available, credible information, there is no evidence that Airyn has a child. Reports about her personal life have focused on her career, her transition, and her relationship with her family. Any rumors suggesting she has a son appear to be speculative or unfounded.

Airyn De Niro’s Transition and Coming Out

One of the most significant chapters in Airyn’s life is her decision to transition publicly. In April 2025, she revealed her story in a candid interview with Them magazine. She spoke about starting hormone replacement therapy in late 2024, her journey of self-discovery, and her desire to live authentically.

Her father’s support was both touching and widely covered in the press. Robert De Niro told Good Morning America:

“I don’t know what the big deal is… I love all my children.”

That statement resonated with many, not just because of Robert’s fame but because it reflected the unconditional love and acceptance every child deserves from their parents.

Airyn also addressed the challenges of being the child of two public figures, expressing frustration with tabloids focusing more on her family ties than on her own story. Still, she has embraced her identity and is using her platform to advocate for authenticity and mental health awareness.

Airyn De Niro’s Career and Future Plans

Though she has only recently become a more public figure, Airyn has already pursued several professional opportunities.

• Modeling: Following in her mother Toukie’s footsteps, Airyn has explored modeling.

• Voice Acting: She has voice credits in projects such as The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run (2020).

• Acting: She appeared in Ravenwood Rising (2024), a project that gave her an early acting showcase.

• Counseling: Beyond entertainment, she has expressed a strong interest in mental health counseling, planning to pursue it as a career to help others.

Her career reflects a blend of her parents’ artistic influence and her own passion for helping others.

Conclusion

Airyn De Niro’s journey is one of resilience, identity, and legacy. Born into a famous family, she has chosen to embrace her authentic self rather than be defined solely by her surname. As the daughter of Robert De Niro and Toukie Smith, she inherited a rich cultural legacy, but it is her courage to share her truth that has made her stand out in her own right.

At 29 years old, Airyn has become a voice for trans visibility, self-acceptance, and the importance of mental health. She may carry the iconic De Niro name, but her story proves she is determined to create her own path.

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