Why Robert De Niro Feels Guilty as a Dad of 7 Kids

Second Wife Grace Hightower

De Niro married Grace Hightower on June 17, 1997.

The welcomed son Elliot De Niro on March 18, 1998. De Niro filed for divorce from the Precious actress in August 1999, but they reconciled and renewed their vows in 2004.

“They can make sure this one sticks,” the actor joked of the two judges who officiated, per People.

In 2009, De Niro, then 66, told the Los Angeles Times, “My whole thing now is just to have the strength to keep my kids in line and get them to the point where they’re independent and self-reliant. I want to make sure my kids know I’m there, and you’ve got to have the stamina to do that.”

Daughter Helen Grace De Niro was born via surrogate on Dec. 23, 2011.

De Niro and Hightower split up for good in 2018, the Oscar winner saying in a statement, “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.”