'The Irishman' star filed for divorce from his wife of 21 years, Grace Hightower, back in December 2018, and has since reached a deal on custody arrangements for their eight-year-old daughter.
- Jan 15, 2020
AceShowbiz - Robert De Niro has a Valentine's Day (February 14) date in court with his estranged wife Grace Hightower as part of their divorce proceedings.
"The Irishman" star filed for divorce from Hightower, his wife of 21 years, in December, 2018, and they have been trying to work out custody arrangements for their eight-year-old daughter, Helen, ever since.
The pair appeared in Manhattan Supreme Court in New York on Tuesday (January 14), when it was confirmed a deal had been reached, and Justice Matthew Cooper set the most romantic day of the year for the exes to outline their agreement.
"Happy Valentine's Day," Cooper quipped.
Adopting a more serious tone, he said, "My understanding is the parties have reached an agreement as to the terms of a parenting plan for the child - in this case their daughter."
"We will come back that day for an allocution," Cooper continued. "I'm going to ask certain questions on the record so I can be sure that the parties knowingly and intelligently entered into the parenting plan."
De Niro and his ex are still working out the financial details of their divorce, after Hightower demanded half of the actor's fortune, despite signing prenuptial agreement in 2004, but Cooper is keen to have all issues resolved sooner rather than later.
"Hopefully in a number of months we can bring this matter to full conclusion and have the parties divorced," he said, according to the New York Post.
De Niro and Hightower, who are also parents to adult son Elliot, first headed to divorce court in 1999 after just two years as husband and wife. They subsequently reconciled and remarried in 2004.
The movie star is also father to four other children from his previous marriage to Diahnne Abbott and relationship with actress Toukie Smith.
