Robert De Niro becomes father for seventh time at 79

Academy Award-winning actor Robert De Niro has become a father of seven, he revealed in a recent interview with ET Canada while promoting his upcoming movie, "About My Father."

"I mean, there's no way around it with kids. I don't like to have to lay down the law and stuff like that. But, [sometimes] you just have no choice," De Niro shared while explaining his take on fatherhood.

"And any parent, I think, would say the same thing. You always want to do the right thing by the children and give them the benefit of the doubt but sometimes you can't."

When the interviewer asked about his six children, he corrected, "Seven, actually."

A representative for De Niro later confirmed the news of the baby's arrival. The actor is blessed with six other children from his previous relationships. With his first wife, Diahnne Abbott, he has a daughter named Drena, 51, and a son named Raphael, 46. In 1995, he welcomed twin sons Julian and Aaron, 27, with model and actress Toukie Smith. De Niro also shares a son named Elliot, 24, and a daughter named Helen Grace, 11, with his ex-wife, Grace Hightower, according to People magazine.

De Niro, who is also a proud grandfather, spoke about the importance of pushing children to pursue their dreams. "For my kids, 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,'" he said in an interview with People in January 2020. "It's important for them to find their own lane."

De Niro did not reveal any further details about his new addition to the family.