After 3 Decades Together, De Niro and Hightower Split

They're in 'a period of transition,' actor says in statement
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 27, 2018 2:58 PM CST
Robert De Niro, Grace Hightower Split
Tribeca Film Festival co-founder Robert De Niro and wife Grace Hightower attend the Tribeca Film Festival opening night world premiere of "Love, Gilda" at the Beacon Theatre on Wednesday, April 18, 2018, in New York.   (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

After more than two decades of marriage and more than three decades together, Robert De Niro and Grace Hightower are splitting up. "Grace and I have two beautiful children together. We are entering a period of transition in our relationship which is a difficult but constructive process," De Niro says in a statement to USA Today. "I honor Grace as a wonderful mother and ask for privacy and respect from all as we proceed to develop our roles as partners in parenting." There had been rumors the two were separating, HuffPost reports. The couple met in 1987 when Hightower, now 63, was a waitress at a London restaurant where De Niro, now 75, dined. They wed in 1997; De Niro previously filed for divorce in 1999, but it was never finalized and they renewed their vows five years later. Their children are Elliot, 20, and Helen Grace, 6. (Their youngest was born via surrogate.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X