Robert De Niro has confirmed for the first time to divorce his wife Grace Hightower. Earlier there were rumors that the two are no longer a couple.
They are going through a “difficult” time, but their co-parenting now puts De Niro and Hightower first, let the actor know in a statement to People .
“Grace and I have two beautiful children together, and a relationship of transition is now breaking into our relationship, which is a difficult but constructive process,” said the Hollywood star.
De Niro calls his ex-wife a “great mother”. “I ask everyone to respect our privacy, now that we are developing our parenting roles.”
Last week the first rumors went that the marriage would be over. They had not been seen together at events for a while and would not live together anymore.
De Niro married Hightower in 1997
The Taxi Driver- actor (75) and Hightower (63) married in 1997 and received their son Elliot the following year. Shortly thereafter, they split up to re-issue their wedding vows in 2004. At the end of 2011 De Niro and Hightower were given their daughter Helen.
The Niro’s marriage with Hightower was his second marriage. In 1976 he married Diahnne Abbott. He adopted her daughter Drena. Together they also had son Raphael, but in 1986 the marriage was broken.
De Niro then got a relationship with model Toukie Smith, with whom he got twins. Aaron and Julian are now 23 years old.