Robert De Niro confirmed the separation of his wife

American actor Robert De Niro ("The Deer Hunter", "Silver Linings") has confirmed the reports of a separation of his wife Grace Hightower after more than 20 years of marriage. "We are in our relationship in a transition phase," said the 75-year-old, according to US media. The process was "difficult but constructive".

De Niro met Hightower in 1987 in London, where she worked in a restaurant. They married in 1997 and have a son Elliott (20) and a daughter Helen Grace (6) together. De Niro had already divorced in 1999 and wanted to sue for custody of his son. Both, however, put the quarrel and renewed their wedding vows in 2004. They were publicly seen together for the last time in June in New York.

Previously, De Niro was married to actress Diahnne Abbott, with whom he had two grown children. With the Toukie Smith model, he also has two twin sons at the age of 23. According to an estimate of "Forbes", De Niro would have an badet of about 200 million dollars (177 million euros).