Robert De Niro’s grandson Leandro dies at age 19

Robert De Niro’s grandson Leandro De Niro Rodriguez has passed away at the age of 19.

Leandro was the son of De Niro’s adopted daughter Drena, 51, and artist Carlos Rodriguez, and Drena paid tribute to her late son in a heartfelt Instagram post Monday.

She didn’t reveal his cause of death, but shared a photo of her son and a poignant caption declaring, “I wish only love could have saved you.”

The post began, “My beautiful sweet angel. I have loved you beyond words or description from the moment I felt you in my stomach.

“You have been my joy, my heart and everything that was ever pure and real in my life. I wish I was with you now. I wish I was with you.’

Heartbreaking: Leandro was the son of De Niro’s adopted daughter Drena and artist Carlos Mare, and Drena paid tribute to her late son in a heartfelt Instagram post on Monday

Drena continued, “I don’t know how to live without you, but I will try to carry on and spread the love and light that you made me feel this way when I became your mother.

“You were so deeply loved and appreciated and I wish only love could have saved you. I’m so sorry my baby, I’m so sorry @carlosmare. Rest in Peace and Paradise Eternal my dear boy.’

She was immediately inundated with condolences, with one friend remarking, “Drena don’t tell me it’s true, tell me you’re kidding, because I can’t believe Leo isn’t with us anymore. It’s terrible news to digest. Drena my heart is with you and Carlos and your loved ones – I love you ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️’

Drena replied, “I know I’m still hoping this is a nightmare and I’ll wake up tomorrow.”

Leandro’s father Carlos did not pay a public tribute to his late son, instead sharing an image of a black square on his Instagram page with no caption.

MailOnline has reached out to De Niro’s representatives for comment.

Aspiring actor and director Leandro followed in his mother’s and grandfather’s footsteps, landing small roles in 2018’s A Star Is Born and Cabaret Maxime and 2005’s The Collection.

His mother Drena was adopted by De Niro and took his last name after the actor married her mother, Diahnne Abbott, in 1976.

She lived a relatively transient lifestyle thanks to her father’s vibrant career, dividing her time between New York City, Los Angeles, and Italy.

Family: Drena welcomed Leonardo in 2003 with her artist partner Carlos Rodriguez

Grieving: Carlos did not pay public tribute to his late son, but shared an image of a black square on his Instagram page with no caption

Tragic loss: Leandro was the son of De Niro’s adopted daughter Drena (pictured in 2016)

Drena dropped out of school and decided to explore the arts, turning her hand to a slew of career paths including model, DJ and fashion consultant.

She eventually decided to follow in De Niro’s footsteps and quickly found her footing as an actress and filmmaker.

Her first role was in Allison Anders’s Grace of My Heart in 1996 and she went on to star in several of her father’s films, including 1999’s On The Run, 2002’s City By The Sea, and 2002’s Showtime.

De Niro split with Drena’s mother in 1988, but the Hollywood A-lister nevertheless remained in her life.

She made De Niro a grandfather in 2003 when she welcomed Leandro with her then-boyfriend Carlos Rodriguez.

Drena, who currently lives in New York, has since turned her attention to directing and also describes herself as trained in Muay Thai and martial arts.

At 51, Drena is five years older than his oldest biological child, Raphael, with Abbott. Now 46, he’s a Manhattan real estate agent whose celebrity clients included Jon Bon Jovi and Renee Zellweger.

De Niro also has two children – twins Aaron and Julian – from his relationship between 1988 and 1995 with former model and actress Toukie Smith. They were conceived by in vitro fertilization and delivered by a surrogate mother.

He also had a son, Elliot, in 1998 and a daughter, Helen, in 2011 (also born via surrogate) during his stormy 20-year marriage to his second wife, former flight attendant Grace Hightower.

In May, the 79-year-old actor confirmed that he had welcomed his seventh child.

There is no official confirmation of the mother’s identity, but his considerably younger girlfriend, Tiffany Chen, 43, was previously photographed with what appeared to be a baby bump.

Parents: De Niro adopted Diahnne Abbott’s daughter after the couple married in 1976 (pictured together in New York in 1977)