Famous Hollywood actor Robert De Niro has had a remarkable career in the field of show business and has won numerous awards, including two Academy Awards. Considered one of the greatest actors of all time, De Niro had both a successful professional life and a quiet personal life.
But his recent divorce from ex-wife Grace Hightower took an unexpected turn, with De Niro’s lawyers claiming that he was “forced to work” to support Hightower’s lavish lifestyle.
Marriage is not uncommon in the Hollywood industry, and actors often marry other actors. However, De Niro’s marriage to someone outside the industry like Hightower added a unique dynamic to their relationship. Hollywood marriages, like most marriages, are prone to dissolution, and while some couples manage to stay together, others, like De Niro and Hightower, end their marriages after a few years.
De Niro has been married twice, and was previously married to his second wife, Grace Hightower, for 21 years. Despite their separation three years ago, De Niro still faces problems due to Hightower’s lavish lifestyle. Before delving into his personal life, let’s take a closer look at De Niro’s successful acting career.
Grow and pursue your passion
Robert De Niro was born on August 17, 1943 in New York. He grew up in an artistic family, his father being an artist and poet, and his mother a talented artist. De Niro was interested in movies from an early age and often accompanied his father to the cinema.
She became interested in acting after seeing a Greta Garbo movie, and thanks to her mother’s connections to a theater company, she was able to take acting classes for free. De Niro made his stage debut at the age of 10, playing the role of the lion in The Wizard of Oz.
De Niro’s talent was recognized and he was admitted to New York’s prestigious High School of Music and Arts. However, he soon gave up, feeling unprepared. At the age of 16, De Niro decided to pursue his acting career. Her mother supported her choice, spending all the money she had saved for her studies.
He continued his acting training at the Theater Conservatory, where he studied with the famous performer Stella Adler. Although De Niro did not believe in his extraordinary talent at the time, he learned a lot from this experience.
Rise to fame and personal relationships
De Niro’s breakthrough in the film industry came with his debut in the 1968 film Hello. He further strengthened his career with notable performances, including his role in the film Mean Streets, directed by his childhood friend Martin Scorsese. It was thanks to the 1974 film The Godfather Part 2 that De Niro achieved great fame and won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.
De Niro was recognized for his exceptional talent throughout his career, winning two Academy Awards for Best Actor for his role in 1981’s Raging Bull and for his role in The Godfather: Part II. . As De Niro’s career became more successful, he also enjoyed personal relationships, including two marriages.
In 1976, De Niro married singer and actress Diane Abbott, with whom he had a son named Rafael and an adopted daughter named Diane Drena. However, the couple divorced in 1988. De Niro then dated model Tuki Smith for eight years, and they gave birth to twins through in vitro fertilization and surrogacy.
Shortly after, De Niro met Grace Hightower, whom he had first met at a London club in 1987. Eventually, they married in 1997, and their son Elliot was born the following year.
Divorce issue
Unfortunately, De Niro and Hightower’s marriage began to falter, and in 1999, De Niro filed for divorce from her. However, they soon reconciled and renewed their vows in 2004. In 2011, another child was born named Helen. Despite their efforts, their marriage ultimately ended in 2018, ending their 20-year relationship.
After the divorce, De Niro’s financial situation became a matter of controversy. De Niro has difficulty keeping up with Hightower’s lavish lifestyle, said attorney Caroline Krauss.
Hightower’s spending habits, including the purchase of more than $1 million worth of diamond rings and his love for luxury designer Stella McCartney, became a financial burden for De Niro. As part of the cost-cutting effort, De Niro lowered the monthly limit on Hightower’s credit card from $100,000 to $50,000.
Amid the legal battle, De Niro, now 77, finds himself under enormous financial pressure. Mr. Krause argues that he should not be “forced to work” strenuously to maintain Mr. Hightower’s lifestyle, especially given his age and the damage it is doing to his health.
De Niro’s restaurants also suffered losses due to the pandemic, further worsening his financial situation. Hightower’s attorney, Kevin McDonough, dismissed allegations about De Niro’s financial difficulties as “ridiculous.” McDonough points to De Niro’s large net worth and annual salary as evidence that he remains financially stable.
As the legal battle unfolds, its outcome remains unclear. This is a complex situation that highlights the challenges and complexities of high-profile divorces. What do you think about this ongoing drama?
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