Al Pacino and Robert De Niro have faced criticism for being deemed “selfish” and “creepy” after welcoming children in their 70s and 80s.
The actors have been criticized for choosing to have children later in life.
The two have maintained a friendship since the late 1960s and have stayed close over the years, yet they are also among the oldest fathers in Hollywood.
De Niro has seven children and welcomed his newest addition, Gia Virginia Chen-De Niro, in May 2023, at the age of 79 with his partner Tiffany Chen. Gia is more than 50 years younger than her oldest sibling.
De Niro, recognized as one of the most influential actors of his generation, shared his feelings about his baby girl with ABC, saying, “Well, she’s pure joy. There’s nothing about her, no judgment, nothing. She just is what she is, and it’s just pure joy for God’s sake.”
The Goodfellas actor welcomed his first child in 1971, and that daughter is now 57 years old. At 81, De Niro will be 97 when his youngest daughter turns 18.
Pacino recently surpassed De Niro as the oldest dad in Hollywood, welcoming a baby boy in June 2023 with his then-29-year-old girlfriend Noor Alfallah. The couple began dating in April 2022 and announced her pregnancy just weeks before Roman Pacino was born.
The Scarface actor has three adult children, making him one of the oldest celebrity fathers at 83. Now 84, Pacino will be 101 when his youngest child turns 18.
In an interview with People, the actor from The Godfather shared, “Having children is such a wonderful experience for me; I truly loved it.
“It transformed me for the better, and it’s a change that lasts a lifetime. The notion of directing your attention towards other beings who are your own children… that’s where the love lies.”
Despite both actors enjoying esteemed reputations in Hollywood, their decision to have children later in life has drawn criticism.
Many have expressed disapproval over their return to parenthood. One commenter remarked on Pacino’s recent baby, stating, “That’s the most selfish thing I’ve ever heard; the child will never truly know its dad.”
Another person voiced their concerns about De Niro’s baby girl, saying, “What worries me is that he’s already 80 years old; she’ll have to cope with his passing at such a young age.”
Another commenter added, “I’m sorry, but this is wrong. He’s likely to pass away sooner rather than later, and she will be very young and deeply traumatized for the rest of her life. It’s cruel.”
It’s not just social media users who have criticized both actors; journalist Jaci Stephen has also condemned the pair for becoming parents at such an advanced age, questioning the moral implications of their choices.
In an article for the Daily Mail, she expressed, “While De Niro’s celebrity friends celebrate, I find the whole situation rather creepy—and undeniably sad.”
Stephen elaborated, saying, “The harsh truth for older fathers like De Niro and Pacino is that they may not live long enough to be remembered by their new babies.”
She went on to note, “This situation is also quite disheartening, as it highlights a troubling hypocrisy regarding society’s reception of women who choose to become mothers later in life.”
The journalist also highlighted the contradiction in Pacino’s situation, noting that he has openly discussed the absence of his own father in his life, a fate he may inflict upon his young child due to his advanced age.
While men’s fertility doesn’t decline as sharply as women’s, allowing some men to produce testosterone and sperm cells into their 90s, as noted by The Conversation, it raises ethical questions about fatherhood at such an age.
However, as men grow older, the risk of DNA damage in their sperm significantly increases.
The National Institutes of Health notes, “Advanced paternal age raises the likelihood of congenital disorders, including heart malformations and clefts of the lip and palate.”
“Additionally, mental disorders such as autism, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, lower IQ levels, and ADHD are more commonly associated with advanced paternal age.”
However, there is currently no indication that De Niro or Pacino’s children have experienced any medical complications related to their fathers’ ages.
