Why did Robert De Niro and Grace Hightower divorce.

Hollywood has seen many divorces that shocked the public. Many families seemed so stable and faithful. For instance, Robert De Niro and Grace Hightower's divorce was quite shocking. It seemed that the couple was very devoted to each other. However, this divorce also brought along many scandals. The reason why Robert De Niro and Grace Hightower divorced appeared to be even more problematic. 

Robert De Niro and Grace Hightower's marriage: why did the divorce happen? 

The love story of Robert De Niro and Grace Hightower began in the late 1980s. Their meeting took place in one of the elite restaurants in London, where Grace worked as a waitress. De Niro, already an acclaimed Hollywood actor by that Time, was enchanted by her beauty, sophistication, and self-confidence. Despite the age difference (Grace is 12 years younger than the actor), feelings quickly flared up between them, leading to the start of a romantic relationship. Their marriage was just a matter of time. 

In 1997, after nearly a decade of dating, the couple decided to legalize their feelings and got married. Their wedding took place in New York in a small circle of friends and relatives. In 1998, the couple welcomed their son Elliot, which only strengthened their bond. However, just two years later, their relationship began to crack, and in 1999, De Niro filed for divorce. The reasons for the split were not disclosed at that time, but reportedly, the actor found it difficult to balance work and family.

Despite the filed application, the divorce was never finalized. The couple went through a lengthy reconciliation process, and in 2004, they renewed their vows in a lavish ceremony attended by many celebrities. Their second chance at family happiness seemed successful: the spouses appeared together at social events, expressed support for each other, and in 2011, they had a daughter, Helen Grace, through a surrogate mother.

What went wrong? 

It seemed that things for the couple were not going poorly. Robert De Niro often commented himself, claiming that the couple was happy together. However, even after many years of marriage and two children, their union could not withstand the pressures. In 2018, De Niro and Hightower announced their separation. This time, their split turned out to be final. The official reasons for the divorce were never disclosed, but sources close to the couple claimed that conflicts often arose between the spouses.

One of the main issues was disagreements over financial matters. Robert De Niro was unhappy with Grace's excessive spending, which he believed was an unreasonable use of his wealth. Furthermore, during the divorce proceedings, the actor claimed that the COVID-19 pandemic had severely impacted his finances, exacerbating the tensions in their relationship.

It was also noted that their views on child-rearing differed. Grace was reportedly a more demanding mother, while De Niro took a softer approach.

Then there was the battle 

The divorce of De Niro and Hightower became one of the most high-profile and complex in Hollywood. The main point of conflict was financial issues. Grace claimed a significant part of De Niro's fortune, arguing that she was accustomed to a high standard of living. However, the actor insisted that his income was unstable, especially after the pandemic, which had damaged his business, including a chain of restaurants and hotels.

During the court proceedings, De Niro's lawyers claimed that Grace spent enormous sums on a lavish lifestyle, including designer clothes, expensive jewelry, and travel. Ultimately, the court ruled that Grace should receive an annual alimony of 1 million dollars, which was significantly less than she originally demanded.

A question also arose regarding the joint custody of their daughter. The couple managed to agree on joint custody, which became a rare occurrence in such tense divorces.

What happened after? 

After the separation, Robert De Niro fully focused on his career. Despite his age, he continues to act in films and manage his business projects. In 2023, it was reported that he welcomed his seventh child with a new partner, which sparked widespread public attention.

Grace Hightower also remained in the limelight. She continues to be involved in charity and community activities, as well as managing her elite coffee business. After the divorce, she retained part of their joint assets and continues to lead an active lifestyle.

Overall, the story of Robert De Niro and Grace Hightower's relationship is an example of how even the strongest unions can face insurmountable difficulties. Their marriage endured many trials, but in the end, disagreements proved stronger than feelings. Despite the divorce, they remain the parents of two children and continue to move forward, each on their own path. It seems all their scandals are now behind them.