Robert De Niro breaks silence on 'difficult' split from wife Grace Hightower
Robert De Niro has spoken out for the first time after reports that he had separated from Grace Hightower, his wife of 21 years.
The Godfather 2 star, 75, confirmed the split with Hightower, 63, in a statement to the US version of TODAY on November 27 (November 28 AEST).
"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," the two-time Oscar-winning actor said.
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"I honour Grace as a wonderful mother and ask for privacy and respect from all as we proceed to develop our roles as partners in parenting."
The Hollywood icon and Hightower, a philanthropist, share two children, son Elliott, 20, and a daughter, Helen Grace, 6.
De Niro and Hightower met in 1987, when she was a hostess at London's upscale restaurant Mr. Chow. They wed in 1997.
