Robert De Niro breaks the silence after split from his wife, calls her a ‘wonderful mother’

The split between Robert De Niro and wife, Grace Hightower got confirmed last week after many years of marriage and Robert spoke out about the decision.

75-year-old De Niro issued a statement after the couple decided to split after 21 years of marriage during which he said:

"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. I honor 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 couple initially met when Grace worked as a hostess at a Mr. Chow restaurant in 1987 and got married years later in 1997. After a brief split in 1999, they filed for divorce but worked things out and renewed their vows in 2004.

Read more on our Twitter account @amomama_usa.

Robert and Grace share two children, their son Elliot, 20, and Helen, 6. Robert is also father to 42-year-old Raphael and 47-year-old Drena with his first wife, Diahnne Abbott. With his ex-girlfriend Toukie Smith, Robert has twin sons, 23-year-old Julian and Aaron.

The actor himself is the eldest of three siblings, and with both parents involved in the arts, his love for the arts came naturally in the form of acting.

His mother, Virginia Admiral, painted work that formed part of the Peggy Guggenheim Collection while his father, Robert De Niro Sr., was a celebrated abstract expressionist painter.

At the age of 10, Robert knew he wanted to become an actor and dropped out of private school to realize his dream. His accomplishments led to dual citizenship in 2004 after Italy bestowed Robert with honorary citizenship in recognition of his career.

Probably best known for roles in ‘Taxi Driver’ and ‘The Godfather’ Robert and Marlon Brando became the first actors to win Oscars for portraying the same character - Vito Corleone in ‘The Godfather.’

Independent and strong-willed like his father, Roberts oldest son, Raphael has made quite a name for himself, but that is as far as the apple falls. He is determined to build his own name and empire within the real estate industry and is a force to be reckoned with.

Having worked himself up to be a high powered real estate broker Raphael has a reputation for being one of Manhattan’s top agents. His clientele includes celebrities like Kelly Ripa, Renee Zellweger, and Naomi Campbell and has sold over six hundred million dollars worth of property.

During an interview with The Real Deal, Raphael said he wanted to be remembered as “somebody who didn't try to cash in on the family name, who tried to make his own way and tried to be honest and forthright in his dealings with everyone.”