At 87, the legendary actor, director, and producer was honored on May 13, 2025, with a prestigious honorary Palme d’Or for lifetime achievement at the opening ceremony of the 78th Cannes Film Festival. But De Niro didn’t just accept the award quietly — he used the spotlight to deliver a message that left the audience stunned.

The Deer Hunter icon turned heads on the red carpet, arriving with his 45-year-old girlfriend, Tiffany Chen. Also in attendance was his daughter, Helen Grace, who joined the couple for the milestone event.

The award was presented by none other than Leonardo DiCaprio