Robert De Niro Says He Chooses to 'Embrace' Aging at 81 Years Old: 'I Have No Choice'

Mar. 15, 2025

Robert De Niro in New York City on June 14, 2024.Photo:Rob Kim/Getty

Rob Kim/Getty

Age is just a number forRobert De Niro— and even if it wasn’t, he knows there’s nothing he can do about it.

The legendary actor opened up about aging and how it has affected him in an interview for the latest episode ofWho’s Talking to Chris Wallace?, now streaming on Max.

“I’m older, you know, I’m 81,” said De Niro. “Things just change.”

“Embrace it. Embrace whatever you’ve been given,” he added.

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Robert De Niro in Cannes, France, on May 21, 2023.Mohammed Badra/Pool/Getty Images

Mohammed Badra/Pool/Getty Images

De Niro previously opened up about aging in an October 2023 interview withThe Guardian, saying he is “awareof it” and he “think(s) more about time” now that he’s older — specifically, how “each thing becomes more important” in life.

“Everything I do, time-wise, is important,” he explained. “Whatever I’m thinking about doing in two years, I’d better think about doing it now.”

“I’m trying my best,” he candidly shared during the episode. “I’m going to put on my gravestone, ‘I tried my best.’ "

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Robert De Niro and daughter Drena De Niro in New York City on April 24, 2017.Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage

“I was thinking about that the other day,” theAbout My Fatheractor recalled with a laugh, adding that he would also put, “Please forgive me for everything that I’ve done” on his grave.

“Why, were you not a good father?” Wallace asked.

“No!I tried my best. That’s all I can say,” De Niro said, noting that his bustling acting career may have gotten in the way.

“I was busy, of course, but I always loved my kids,” he continued.

source: people.com