Robert De Niro and wife Grace Hightower reportedly split after more than 20 years of marriage

Sources reveal that the legendary actor and his wife of over two decades have gone their separate ways.

According to People who heard from a source close to the family, Robert De Niro and his wife, Grace Hightower have separated and are now living apart.

The insider said:

“Sometimes things don’t work out the way you hope or want them to.”

De Niro and Hightower, who share two kids, had earlier separated in 1999. The “Dirty Grandpa” actor is said to have filed for divorce, and he and Hightower battled for custody over their autistic son, Elliott, now 20.

The warring couple was able to work things out and reconcile. The divorce was never finalized, and they even renewed their vows in 2004. They also have a 6-year-old daughter Helen Grace.

The “Grudge Match” actor, 75, and Hightower, 63, tied the knot in 1997 after dating for ten years. The pair was last seen together in June as they attended the 72nd Annual Tony Awards in New York City. On Monday, De Niro stepped out for an event, also in NYC, but Hightower was noticeably missing from his side.

Although the Academy Award-winner tends to keep his personal life out of the spotlight, he did open up to People previously about raising his kids.

“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.”

Besides Elliott and Helen Grace, De Niro has four other children. He married his first wife, co-star Diahnne Abbott in 1976 and they have a 42-year-old son, Raphael. The “Killing Season” actor also adopted Abbott’s child from a previous relationship, Drena, now 47.

De Niro and Abbott parted ways in 1988, and by 1995, the actor welcomed twin boys, Aaron Kendrick and Julian Henry with his model girlfriend, Toukie Smith. The twins, now 23, were born by a surrogate and Smith and De Niro broke up after their birth.

Page Six first reported the news about the actor’s split from Hightower and alleged that the couple is expected to “announce their breakup publicly in the coming weeks.”