Robert De Niro’s daughter, Airyn De Niro, has opened up about her journey as a transgender woman in an emotional sit-down with NBC’s Today. At 29, she spoke candidly about the struggles she faced growing up and the relief she felt when she finally embraced her true identity—an interview that left both host and viewers in tears.
Born Andrew De Niro, Airyn described the moment she first confided in her famous father. “He looked me in the eyes and said, ‘I love you no matter what,’” she recalled, her voice wavering. Photos of Robert De Niro wiping away tears during the conversation quickly circulated online, demonstrating the family’s unwavering support. People Magazine reports on the father-daughter exchange.
“Proud of Airyn for telling her story so bravely. Love is love.” ❤️ https://twitter.com/RickyMartin/status/1654321098765432109— Ricky Martin (@RickyMartin) May 5, 2025
Airyn walked viewers through her transition, from the moment she looked in the mirror and recognized herself to taking her first legal steps toward changing her name and gender marker. She credited her therapist and close friends for guiding her through—and acknowledged the anxiety that comes with living under a public spotlight. Rolling Stone dives deeper into her story.
Thank you for sharing your truth, Airyn. Representation matters more than ever. 🌟 https://twitter.com/GLAAD/status/1654332109876543210— GLAAD (@GLAAD) May 6, 2025
The De Niro family’s public embrace of Airyn has been hailed as a powerful example of unconditional love. Her mother, Grace Hightower, posted a simple message on Instagram: “Airyn, you are beautiful. Always have been, always will be.” Experts note that such visible support dramatically improves mental-health outcomes among transgender youth. CDC highlights the importance of family acceptance.
“Stories like Airyn’s can save lives by inspiring others to live authentically.” https://twitter.com/translifeline/status/1654343210987654321— Trans Lifeline (@translifeline) May 6, 2025
As Airyn’s interview makes waves, advocacy groups are calling for broader protections and healthcare access for transgender individuals. With her newfound visibility—and her family’s backing—Airyn hopes to become an advocate for those still searching for the courage to come out.
