`It`s selfish`: The internet is unhappy that 81-year-old Robert De Niro is raising a 20-month-old daughter

The star of "The Godfather" was criticized after an interview in which he shared his experience of raising his little daughter Gia. Users believe that the actor is too old for his child.

On the BBC Radio 2 show, De Niro admitted that he spends a lot of time with the heiress of the household. Because of this, the actor complains, he is forced to watch many children's shows:
I don't watch as many movies as I should, I try to watch only the ones I like.
Robert De Niro

Online Criticism

On the internet, news about De Niro's late fatherhood evokes mixed reactions. After the BBC interview, numerous comments accused Robert of being selfish:
'It's extremely selfish to become a father at 80... But obviously, he can afford it', 'He looks more like the baby's great-grandfather!', 'This child will never know what a real father is. De Niro will be gone soon. If he truly needed to spend time with kids, he would just spend time with his wonderful grandchildren, and soon with his great-grandchildren', 'Imagine being 56 years old, and your sibling is 20 months'
Comments from Dailymail website users
Robert himself sees nothing wrong with late fatherhood. He is happy to raise his daughter, whom he calls a "charming little girl." The actor admitted in an issue of AARP The Magazine:
Everything that consumes or worries me just disappears when I look at her. It's wonderful.
Robert De Niro

About Children and Wife

Gia is Robert's seventh child. She was born during his relationship with 45-year-old Tiffany Chen, a martial arts instructor. They met in 2015 on the set of the film “The Intern,” where Chen played a small role.
Robert De Niro
Actor Robert De Niro in the 2022 film 'Amsterdam'
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In addition to Gia, the actor has six other children from previous relationships: Drena (56 years old), Raphael (47 years old), twins Aaron and Julian (28 years old), Elliot (25 years old), and Helen (12 years old).

Opinion

It's challenging to say definitively whether it's "right" to become a father at an advanced age, like De Niro.

On one hand, it's understandable why people online are concerned. The child might lose a father at a relatively young age. The age difference between De Niro and little Gia, as well as between her and her older siblings, is quite striking. This might create nuances in communication.

Let's look at the situation from another perspective. De Niro has all the means to provide a decent life for his daughter: both money and life experience (having already raised six children).
Robert De Niro and Tiffany Chen with daughter
Actor Robert De Niro with daughter Gia and girlfriend Tiffany Chen
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The main thing is that the family has love, care, and support, and the age at which children appear is a secondary matter. Each family decides for itself what is best, and it's hardly worth judging their choice from the outside.

What do you think, is there a "right" age to become a parent? What advantages and disadvantages do you see in late fatherhood?

Previously, on zoomboola.com we told about Robert De Niro and his girlfriend's visit to a state banquet at the White House in Washington.