The Legendary Life of Robert de Niro

In 1976, at the height of his rising career, De Niro married actress Diahnne Abbott, whom he met while filming Taxi Driver. Abbott appeared in several of his early movies, including New York, New York. Their marriage marked a rare public glimpse into the intensely private actor’s personal life.

De Niro adopted Abbott’s daughter, Drena, and the couple later had a son, Raphael. Despite his fame, he worked to keep family life separate from Hollywood attention. His early years of fatherhood coincided with a relentless work schedule that defined his dedication both to his craft and to personal stability.