Toukie Smith, Robert De Niro’s Ex, Dies at 74 After MS Battle
Model and actress Toukie Smith, mother of Robert De Niro's twins Airyn and Julian, died aged 74 on November 4 in a New York hospital after a battle with multiple sclerosis. Her children confirmed the news and paid tribute to her fashion legacy.
Toukie Smith, the model and actress who was Robert De Niro's partner from 1988 to 1996, has died aged 74 after a battle with multiple sclerosis. She passed away on November 4 in a New York hospital.
Smith, born Doris A. Smith, was the mother of two of the Oscar-winning actor's children. Her twins, Airyn and Julian De Niro, both 31, confirmed her death in a statement.
A "long, courageous battle"
The twins said their mother died after a "long, courageous battle" with the neurological disorder. They described her as "a force of nature."
"She left an indelible mark on our hearts and on everyone lucky enough to know her," Airyn and Julian said.
They also praised a "remarkable family legacy that helped shape American fashion and culture." Her "beauty, grace and unmistakable presence," they wrote, "helped pave the way for generations of Black models and designers in fashion."
Airyn posted a tribute on Instagram, pairing a childhood photo with the words "I'll always love you, Mom."
Career in fashion and television
Smith's career spanned 54 years. She modeled for high-fashion brands including Chanel, Versace and YSL.
She was the sister of the late designer Willi Smith, regarded as one of the most successful African-American designers in the industry.
On screen, she took several acting roles in the 1980s and 1990s. Her best-known part was Eva Rawley on the NBC sitcom 227.
Family
De Niro, now 83, and Smith never married. Their twins, son Julian and daughter Airyn, were born in 1995. They were conceived through in vitro fertilization and delivered by a surrogate.
De Niro's first marriage was to actress Diahnne Abbott. He has five other children with three other women, including daughter Gia Virginia Chen-De Niro, born in 2023.
Smith is survived by Airyn and Julian.
