Diahnne Abbott is an American actress and singer who is best known for being the first wife of Robert De Niro, one of the most acclaimed and influential actors of all time.
She also appeared in several films in the 1970s and 1980s, mostly in supporting roles, such as Taxi Driver, The King of Comedy, and Crime Story.
Here is everything you need to know about Diahnne Abbott.
Who is Diahnne Abbott?
Diahnne Abbott was born on January 1, 1945, in New York City, USA.
She has African-American and Antiguan ancestry. Abbott began her career as a model and singer, performing at various clubs and venues.
Her film debut came in 1976 when she played a concession girl in Martin Scorsese’s psychological thriller Taxi Driver, starring Robert De Niro.
It was on the set of this film that Abbott met De Niro, and the two soon married.
How old is Diahnne Abbott?
Abbott is currently 80 years old, as of October 2023.
Diahnne Abbott’s Early life and career
Abbott grew up in New York City, where she attended the High School of Music and Art.
She pursued her passion for singing and modeling, landing gigs in commercials and magazines.
Abbott also appeared on the cover of a booklet on menstruation for young girls called “Getting to Know Yourself,” which was distributed in schools and pharmacies.
Her film debut came in 1976 playing a concession girl in Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver starring Robert De Niro.
She had a memorable cameo in the 1977 film New York, New York singing Fats Waller’s “Honeysuckle Rose.”
Abbott also played De Niro’s love interest in Scorsese’s 1983 film The King of Comedy, as well as roles in the TV series Crime Story (as Sonia) and the 1986 film Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling (as Mother).
She is cousin to singer Gregory Abbott, known for his 1986 hit “Shake You Down.”
Diahnne Abbott’s Personal Life
Diahnne Abbott married Robert De Niro in 1976, after meeting him on the set of Taxi Driver.
They had a son, Raphael, who was named after the hotel in Rome where he was conceived.
De Niro adopted Drena, Abbott’s daughter from a previous marriage.
Niro and Abbott divorced in 1988, after 12 years of marriage.
Abbott has not remarried since then and has kept a low profile.
She lives in New York City with her son and daughter, who are both actors.
Who was Robert De Niro’s wife?
Robert De Niro has been married twice in his life. His first wife was Diahnne Abbott, whom he married in 1976 and divorced in 1988.
His second wife was Grace Hightower, a former model and actress, whom he married in 1997 and separated from in 2018.
They have two children together, a son named Elliot and a daughter named Helen.
De Niro also has four other children from previous relationships: a son named Raphael with Diahnne Abbott, twin sons named Julian and Aaron with former model Toukie Smith, and a daughter named Drena with his first wife.
How long was Robert De Niro with Toukie Smith?
Robert De Niro dated Toukie Smith, a former model and actress, from 1988 to 1996.
They had twin sons, Julian and Aaron, who were born in 1995 via a surrogate mother.
Both never married and broke up in 1996. Smith is best known for her role as Eva Rawley on the NBC sitcom 227.
Who is Diahnne Abbott’s son?
Diahnne Abbott’s son is Raphael De Niro, who was born in 1976. He is an actor and a real estate broker, who works for the Corcoran Group in New York City.
He has appeared in films such as Love Streams, West 4th, James Abbott Is Gone, and The Intern.
Raphael is married to Claudine De Matos, a former model, and they have three children together.
Was Diahnne Abbott a taxi driver?
No, Diahnne Abbott was not a taxi driver.
She played a concession girl in the film Taxi Driver, which starred Robert De Niro as a mentally unstable taxi driver who becomes obsessed with a presidential campaign worker and a teenage prostitute.
The film was directed by Martin Scorsese and is considered one of the greatest films of all time.
Diahnne Abbott’s Net worth
Diahnne Abbott has an estimated net worth of $1 million, as of 2021.
She earned most of her wealth from her acting career, especially from her roles in Taxi Driver, The King of Comedy, and Crime Story.
Abbott also made some money from her singing gigs, endorsements, and divorce settlement from Robert De Niro.
Conclusion
Diahnne Abbott is a retired American actress and singer who was the first wife of Robert De Niro.
She appeared in several films in the 1970s and 1980s, often in supporting roles, including Taxi Driver, The King of Comedy, and Crime Story.
Abbott also displayed her vocal talents in some films, such as singing in New York, New York.
She and De Niro divorced in 1988, after which she has lived a quiet, private life with her son and daughter, both of whom became actors.
Abbott is remembered as one of the most beautiful and gifted actresses of her generation.
