Grace Hightower

Grace Hightower was born in Kilmichael, Mississippi. She was partially descended from the indigenous Blackfoot tribe. Her first job was as a flight attendant for Trans World Airlines. She began to travel and settled eventually in London where she worked in finance and in the hospitality industry. While working at Mr. Chow in London, an upscale Chinese restaurant, Hightower met actor Robert DeNiro. The pair began dating and married in 1997. Hightower worked as an actress, playing minor roles in the movie "Paperboy" (2012), "Precious" (2009), and appearing in an episode of crime procedural drama "NYPD Blue" (ABC, 1993-2005), in 1994. In addition to her work as an actor, Hightower was involved with several charitable causes, including the New York Women's Foundation, the New York Fund for Public Schools, and Ronald Perelman's Women's Heart Health Advisory Council. In 1997 the couple welcomed their first child. In 1999, De Niro filed for divorce from Hightower and later attempted to sue his wife for custody of their son. They ultimately resolved their differences and chose not to separate, reuniting in 2004. The couple had another child via surrogate in 2011. In 2018 Hightower and DeNiro announced their separation.