His father was Lieutenant William Niven, who died at Gallipoli on 21st August 1915, aged 25, while serving with the Berkshire Yeomanry, and he has three older siblings: Joyce, Max and Grizel.
He is the ex-father-in-law of
Barbara Niven.
His sons are David, an agent and producer, and James, an auctioneer with Sothebys.
He has a grandson Ryan (born in 1998), from daughter Fiona; grandson Michael (born in 1990) from daughter Kristina and grandaughters Fernanda and Eugenie from son Jamie.