Robert De Niro, the acclaimed Academy Award-winning actor, has been in a relationship with Tiffany Chen, a trained dancer and martial arts instructor. The couple was first spotted together in August 2021, following De Niro’s split from his former wife, Grace Hightower, in November 2018.
Although they ignited dating rumours during a PDA-filled outing, they had initially met years earlier while filming the 2015 movie The Intern, where Chen played a Tai Chi instructor.
Tiffany Chen has an accomplished background in martial arts. She comes from a kung-fu family, with her father being Grandmaster William C.C. Chen. Throughout her career, she has accumulated numerous gold medals and world titles in various martial arts competitions.
Chen began competing in push hands at the age of 16 and was inducted into a martial arts magazine’s Hall of Fame as competitor of the year by the age of 26.
In addition to her martial arts expertise, Chen has a strong background in dance, having practiced ballet and hula from a young age. Her athletic endeavors have included swimming, gymnastics, and figure skating, where she won three gold medals in regional competitions. Chen has mentioned that her exploration of ballroom dancing helped her realize that tai chi significantly improved her overall form.
De Niro and Chen’s romantic connection became public in 2021 when they were seen together in the South of France, reportedly holding hands and enjoying each other’s company on a yacht.
Since then, they have been photographed together on multiple occasions, including a dinner with friends Harvey Keitel and Billy Crystal. Eyewitnesses noted that the couple was happy and affectionate during these outings.
As De Niro navigates his busy acting career, which includes recently wrapping up filming for Wise Guys, he and Chen reportedly live together in Los Angeles. Sources indicate that Chen has been supportive of De Niro’s professional life, visiting him on set and accompanying him at public events, such as the 96th Academy Awards in March 2024, where De Niro was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Killers of the Flower Moon.
In a significant development in their relationship, De Niro announced that he welcomed a daughter, Gia, with Chen, on April 6, 2023. This news came to light during an interview in May 2023, further solidifying their bond as a couple.
