Robert De Niro’s partner Tiffany Chen diagnosed with postpartum Bell’s palsy

Hollywood actor Robert De Niro's partner, martial arts instructor Tiffany Chen, has revealed that she has been diagnosed with Bell's palsy, a facial muscle weakness condition, following the birth of their first child together. De Niro, 79, confirmed in May that he has become a father for the seventh time.

Speaking to CBS Mornings about her postpartum diagnosis, Ms Chen said: "I started to feel like my tongue felt strange, it felt like a little tingly, just starting to get a little bit numb and then I realised that like my face just felt weird. I didn't know what the feeling was that I was having. It felt weird."

Describing her physical changes, she added: "When I got home, it was like everything was just starting to fall down on itself like my face was melting on itself and then a week after giving birth that was when it all hit and I called my doctor. I was trying to eat. I went to put just a fork of food in my mouth and everything came out, I couldn't eat.

"I was starting to slur. So I said, there's something really going on here so they said go right to the hospital, admitted me and I lost all facial function the minute I got into the hospital."

Bell's palsy is a temporary weakness or lack of movement that usually affects only one side of the face, according to the NHS. Steroids are often used as a treatment method and most people recover within six months. The exact cause of Bell's palsy is unknown, but it is believed to be caused by inflammation. Viral illnesses, including herpes simplex, mumps, and rubella, may act as triggers.

In 2017, Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie revealed that she had developed Bell's palsy following a tumultuous year in her personal life, which included filing for divorce from Brad Pitt.