Tiffany Chen, the partner of famous actor Robert De Niro, told CBS News that she has health problems after the birth of their daughter Gia Virginia Chen De Niro in April, according to News.ro.

79-year-old American actor Robert De Niro became a father for the seventh time in April, but this is the first child he had with his partner Tiffany Chen, who is 45 years old and who is a martial arts instructor by profession.

In an exclusive interview with CBS Mornings, Tiffany Chen opened up about her battle with Bell’s palsy, a temporary condition that affects the facial muscles, often causing part of the face to droop or become paralyzed. In Chen’s case, it affected both sides of his face. It is caused by inflammation of the facial nerve. Although the exact cause is unknown, it is thought to be related to viral infections.

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bell’s palsy affects about 40,000 people in the United States each year. Although anyone, regardless of gender or age, can suffer from Bell’s palsy, it seems to be more common in people between the ages of 15 and 45.

Risk factors include pregnancy, preeclampsia, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and upper respiratory tract disease.

Chen described the first symptoms she experienced after returning home after giving birth. She noticed an unusual sensation on her tongue, which gradually turned into tingling and numbness. “Then I realized that, for example, my face looks strange. I did not understand what this feeling meant. But it was a strange feeling,” she said.

As the days passed, Chen’s symptoms worsened, leading to a collapse and facial damage. The face seemed to “melt on itself,” she described this feeling. A week after giving birth, the situation became unbearable, to the point where she could no longer eat.

“I tried to eat. I put the fork with the food in my mouth and everything came out. I couldn’t eat. And then I started mumbling,” Chen continued.

Realizing the seriousness of her condition, Chen contacted her doctor, who advised her to go straight to the hospital. “I lost all facial function when I got to the hospital,” she said

The full interview with Tiffany Chen, in which she discusses the impact of tabloid headlines on her expression and how Robert De Niro supported her during her health challenges, will air on “CBS Mornings” on Friday, July 14.