Robert De Niro’s Daughter, Drena, Offers Tribute To Her Late Son Who Died Of Overdose One Year Ago

The daughter of acclaimed actor Robert De Niro, Drena De Niro, has honored the memory of her late son, Leandro De Niro-Rodriguez, on the first anniversary of his death.

Drena, 52, took to Instagram to share a heartfelt tribute, accompanied by a series of never-before-seen photographs that captured Leandro’s vibrant spirit. The images showed Leandro’s stylish flair, in leather jackets and a carefree demeanor, as he exuded a bittersweet youthful energy.

Amidst the visual celebration of her son’s life, Drena captioned the post, “Today we celebrated sweet wild boy Leo 🖤 In your short time here you made the world a brighter place. You are deeply loved like the sun loves the moon and the moon loves the sea.”

The tribute also included lines from a poem that spoke to the power of someone’s presence in a person’s life, a sentiment that resonates profoundly with Drena’s grief.

Leandro’s father, Carlos “Mare” Rodriguez, also commemorated the anniversary with a heartfelt Instagram post. He shared a black photograph accompanied by the words, “Year One. Rest in Peace Rest in Me Leo. #youcantspelllovewithoutleo 🙏🕊️❤️💔.”

Rodriguez also revealed that the family had made a cake in tribute to Leandro, a further tribute to his memory.

The tragic death of Leandro, who was just 19 years old, has left an unforgettable mark on the De Niro family. Drena initially shared the news of her son’s death on July 2, 2023, and expressed her profound grief and the loss felt by all who knew and loved him.

De Niro, 80, renowned actor and Leandro’s grandfather, also expressed his heartbreak with the statement, “I’m deeply distressed by the passing of my beloved grandson Leo. We’re greatly appreciative of the condolences from everyone. We ask that we please be given privacy to grieve our loss of Leo.”

The New York City chief medical examiner’s office later confirmed that Leandro’s death was the result of an accidental drug overdose, caused by a lethal combination of substances, which included fentanyl, bromazolam, alprazolam, 7-aminoclonazepam, ketamine and cocaine.

In the aftermath of this tragedy, Drena has been vocal in her condemnation of the illicit drug trade, and emphasised the devastating impact it can have on individuals and families.