Who are Leonardo DiCaprio’s parents? Meet George DiCaprio and Irmelin Indenbirken

Who are Leonardo DiCaprio’s parents? Meet George DiCaprio and Irmelin Indenbirken

Leonardo DiCaprio’s parents are George DiCaprio and Irmelin Indenbirken. George is an American writer, editor, and comic book distributor, while Irmelin is a former legal secretary with German roots. They met in college and later moved to Los Angeles, where Leonardo was born. The couple divorced when Leonardo was young, but they remained committed to co-parenting him.

Leonardo DiCaprio and his parents
Leonardo DiCaprio at the 81st Golden Globe Awards, and Leonardo and his parents pose for a portrait outside their home. Photo: John Salangsang, Peter Fleming (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

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Key takeaways

  • Leonardo DiCaprio’s parents are George DiCaprio and Irmelin Indenbirken.
  • His mother, Irmelin Indenbirken, was born in Germany and immigrated to the U.S. with her family when she was young.
  • His father, George DiCaprio, worked in underground comics and later supported Leonardo’s creative interests.
  • The couple met in college and moved to Los Angeles before Leonardo’s birth in 1974. However, they divorced when Leonardo was young.
  • Irmelin raised Leonardo in Los Angeles and took him to early auditions, while George introduced him to art, books, and culture from an early age.

Who are Leonardo DiCaprio’s parents?

He was born to George DiCaprio and Irmelin Indenbirken. While Irmelin handled most of the day-to-day parenting, George played a pivotal role in Leonardo’s creative upbringing. Both parents laid the foundation for Leonardo’s future in Hollywood.

George DiCaprio

George DiCaprio accepts a Special Achievement Award
George DiCaprio, father of actor Leonardo DiCaprio, accepts a Special Achievement Award in Entertainment on his son's behalf. Photo: Brendan Hoffman (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

Leonardo’s father is an American performance artist and writer. He was born on November 30, 1943, in New York City, USA. His father, George Leon DiCaprio, was of Italian descent, and his mother, Olga Anne Jacobs, was of German ancestry.

He became an active figure in the American underground comix scene of the 1960s and 1970s, collaborating with notable artists as a writer, editor, and distributor. His company has distributed countercultural comics and literature that challenged mainstream ideals.

From 2008, he served as an executive producer, specialising in short films and documentaries. In 2021, he made his acting debut as Mr. Jack in Licorice Pizza. Later, George shifted his focus to supporting Leonardo’s career, helping him review scripts and understand the film industry.

Irmelin Indenbirken

Irmelin Indenbirken during a movie premiere
Irmelin Indenbirken, mother of Leonardo DiCaprio, during the premiere of "Once Upon A Time... In Hollywood" at CineStar. Photo: Gisela Schober (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

The American actor’s mother was born in 1945 in Oer-Erkenschwick, North Rhine-Westphalia, in Germany. Her parents, Wilhelm Indenbirken and Helene, moved the family to the United States during her childhood, eventually settling in New York.

Irmelin attended college in New York, where she studied for a secretarial degree. She later worked as a legal secretary, a career she maintained for many years, even while raising Leonardo. After her divorce from George, she took on multiple jobs to support her son’s early acting career financially.

Outside her career, Irmelin has been a long-time environmental advocate, often accompanying Leonardo to climate-focused events. She maintains a low public profile but is frequently seen with Leonardo at film premieres and award ceremonies.

George DiCaprio and Irmelin Indenbirken’s marriage

Leonardo DiCaprio’s parents met while attending college in New York during the late 1960s. Their shared interest in art, literature, and social issues brought them together, and they began dating soon after.

The couple married in the early 1970s and later relocated to Los Angeles to begin a new chapter in their lives. Leonardo was born on November 11, 1974, in Los Angeles, California. Unfortunately, the couple’s relationship didn’t last long after his birth.

So, what happened to Leonardo DiCaprio's parents? They separated when Leonardo was just a year old. However, they chose to co-parent actively rather than pursue a contentious divorce. After the separation, Irmelin raised the American actor in a modest Los Angeles neighbourhood while George lived nearby and remained involved in his life.

Today, Irmelin resides in Los Angeles and is occasionally seen at public events with Leonardo. George also lives in California and continues to support artistic and environmental causes.

Leonardo DiCaprio’s siblings

Leonardo DiCaprio (left) and his step-brother Adam Ferrar
Leonardo DiCaprio (left) and his step-brother Adam Ferrar pose for a portrait outside their home. Photo: Peter Fleming (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

The popular American actor is the only child of George DiCaprio and Irmelin Indenbirken. However, he does have a stepbrother through his father’s later relationship.

When Leonardo’s parents separated, his father began dating Peggy Ann Farrar, with whom he had a son, Adam Star Farrar. Adam’s parents separated when he was four, and when his mother married George, Adam became Leonardo’s half-brother.

Adam Farrar also pursued acting during the 1990s, appearing in a few television shows and commercials. The two shared a strong bond early in life, but their paths eventually diverged. Adam struggled with personal and legal issues over the years, which led to a strained relationship with Leonardo.

FAQs about Leonardo DiCaprio’s parents

  1. Who is Leonardo DiCaprio? Leonardo DiCaprio is an American actor and film producer best known for his roles in films such as Titanic, Inception, The Revenant, and The Wolf of Wall Street.
  2. Who are Leonardo DiCaprio’s parents? Leonardo DiCaprio’s parents are George DiCaprio, an underground comic book writer and distributor, and Irmelin Indenbirken, a former legal secretary.
  3. Does Leonardo DiCaprio have any siblings? Leonardo DiCaprio is an only child to George and Irmelin. However, he has a stepbrother, Adam Farrar, from his father’s later relationship.
  4. Does Leonardo DiCaprio have a good relationship with his parents? Leonardo DiCaprio is very close to both of his parents, frequently crediting them for their support of his career. He often brings his mother to award shows.
  5. Is Leonardo DiCaprio's mother a Sikh? Leonardo DiCaprio's mother is not a Sikh. However, her ex-husband’s wife, Peggy Ann Farrar, is a devout Amritdhari Sikh who has publicly practised the faith.
  6. What happened to Leonardo DiCaprpractisedio’s parents? Leonardo DiCaprio’s parents separated when Leonardo was about a year old, but remained united in co-parenting him.
  7. What do Leonardo DiCaprio’s parents do for a living? George DiCaprio was involved in underground comics and environmental projects, while Irmelin Indenbirken worked as a legal secretary and is now retired.
  8. Does Leonardo DiCaprio have any siblings? Leonardo DiCaprio has no full or half siblings by blood. However, Adam Farrar is considered his stepbrother from his father’s long-term relationship with Peggy Farrar.

Final word

Leonardo DiCaprio’s parents, George DiCaprio and Irmelin Indenbirken, played key roles in shaping his life and career. Irmelin provided daily support and structure, while George offered creative exposure and encouragement. Their dedication, even after separating, helped Leonardo grow into one of Hollywood’s most respected actors.

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Pete Wentz’s parents are Peter Lewis Kingston Wentz II (“Pete Sr.”) and Dale Wentz. They have three children. Pete Wentz's family lived in Wilmette, Illinois, during Pete’s upbringing. Read the article to learn more about them

Proofreading by Masolo Mabonga, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.

Source: TUKO.co.ke

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Gladys Mokeira (Lifestyle writer) Gladys is a content creator who has worked with Tuko since 2018, where she won the Best Writer Award in 2022. She graduated in 2015 with a Bachelor’s in Project Planning and Management. She previously held other positions, including an editing role at Kami.com.ph, Yen.com.gh, and Legit.ng. In 2023, Gladys finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. Email: julianmireri@gmail.com

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