Robert DeNiro and Wife Grace Hightower Split after 20 Years of Marriage

Actor Robert DeNiro, 75, and wife Grace Hightower, 63, are reportedly splitting up after over twenty years of marriage. A source close to the DeNiro family told PEOPLE magazine that the two of them have separated and are no more living together.

After dating for several years, Robert and Grace got married in 1997. The couple has two children together; son Elliott who is twenty years old and daughter Helen Grace who is just six years old. The couple was having problems in their marriage even earlier. After completing merely two years of marriage they filed for a divorce back in 1999 that eventually led to the custody battle of their son. The couple, however, changed their minds. They peacefully resolved the dispute and therefore the divorce never really came through.

The pair renewed their marriage vows in 2004 in front of prominent personalities like Meryl Streep, Ben Stiller, Martin Scorsese, Tom Brokaw, and many others. The couple was last publicly spotted in a red carpet event in the month of June when they attended the 72nd Annual Tony Awards in New York City.

Robert DeNiro is known to be guarded about his family life and he’s exceptionally private about his relationship with Grace. He did speak about family life and about raising kids life when he once said to PEOPLE “There are great moments and moments of sadness, sometimes you’re the last person they want to deal with. It’s like when you walk your kids to school and they get older and they don’t want to hold your hand or kiss you goodbye.”

The couple, however, has been open about their son Elliott’s struggle with autism. DeNiro revealed that his son’s autism was as a result of vaccinations. He explained that his wife observed him changing overnight after he was vaccinated. By this one can certainly ascertain that the couple had their fair share of struggles while their kids. DeNiro explained that the vaccinations are dangerous to those who are susceptible to it. He expressed that the issue is not being addressed enough and not much is being done to resolve the problem.

Previously Robert DeNiro was married to Diahnne Abbott between 1976 to 1988 and they had two children together Drena, 47, and son Raphael, 42 before finally getting separated. Drena was adopted from Abbott’s previous relationship. He also had twins Julian and Aaron with former ex-girlfriend Toukie Smith. All the women DeNiro married coincidentally were of African American origins.

DeNiro and Grace are expected to publicly announce their break up in the coming weeks.