Robert De Niro broke his silence on the death of his 19-year-old grandson Leandro De Niro Rodriguez.“I’m deeply distressed by the passing of my beloved grandson Leo,” De Niro, 79, told Us Weekly in a statement on Monday, July 3. “We’re greatly appreciative of the condolences from everyone.
We ask that we please be given privacy to grieve our loss of Leo.”Leandro was the son of Robert’s eldest daughter, Drena De Niro, whom the Irishman actor adopted while he was married to Diahnne Abbott.
Drena, 51, welcomed Leandro with artist Carlos Mare in 2004. Shortly after the news broke, Drena responded to the support she and her family have received following the tragic loss.“It is with immeasurable shock and sadness that we say goodbye to our beloved son Leo,” she said in a statement to Us on Monday. “We thank you for the outpouring of love and support and ask that we are given privacy at this time to process this inconsolable grief.”Drena announced the news of Leandro’s death on Sunday, July 2, in a touching tribute post.“My beautiful sweet angel.
I have loved you beyond words or description from the moment I felt you in my belly. You have been my joy my heart and all that was ever pure and real in my life,” she wrote via Instagram at the time, alongside a photo of the teenager. “I wish I was with you right now.
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