Award-winning Hollywood actor and producer Robert De Niro is one of the most talented stars to grace the silver screen with a career that spans over the course of fifty years.
Born in Manhattan in 1943, the Hollywood legend began working in the film industry in the 60s and starred in his first small film roles in movies such as Encounter and Three Rooms in Manhattan which were both released in 1965.
Soon after this, Robert, 78, became hot property and continued to find work in major film and television roles.
The actor also became widely known for his realistic characterisations of Italian-American gangsters in films such as The Godfather and Goodfellas.
But although he has lived an incredible action-packed life on screen, many fans may be unaware of what his real life is like away from the cameras.
So to celebrate his 78th birthday Daily Star have taken a look.
Robert De Niro’s marriages
(Image: WireImage)
Actor Robert has been married twice – his first marriage was to actress Diahnne Abbott in 1976 and his second was to Grace Highwater in 1997.
While married to Diahnne, Robert adopted her daughter Drena and the couple later welcomed their son Raphael De Niro into the world.
But after years of marriage, the couple parted ways and divorced in 1988.
While separated Robert made a connection with model Toukie Smith and the pair enjoyed a long-term romance with one another.
(Image: Getty Images North America)
Years later the couple had twin sons conceived by in vitro fertilization and delivered by a surrogate mother. Twins Julian and Aaron were born in 1995.
Although things were going well, the couple split not long after.
In 1997, after already sparking a connection with each other during the 80s, the Taxi Driver actor married philanthropist and actress Grace.
Two years later, the pair split in 1999, and then renewed their vows in 2004 before the couple officially filed for divorce in 2018.
Though years have passed, Robert and Grace are still locked in a divorce battle since December 2018, according to reports.
Recent reports claim that a judge has ruled that his ex-wife should receive $1 million annually and that the couple will have to split the proceeds after selling their $20 million home.
Children
(Image: FilmMagic)
Robert has six children altogether – his youngest child is only 12 years old.
The Hollywood star has two children from his first marriage, Drena and Raphael.
From his second relationship Robert welcomed twins Julian and Aaron.
Robert then had his son Elliot with Grace in 1998 and their second child Helen was born by surrogate in 2011.
(Image: drenadeniro/Instagram)
Grace and Robert’s second child Helen was caught in the middle of a custody battle between her parents in early 2020 as they continue with their divorce proceedings.
Robert’s eldest daughter Drena followed in her father’s footsteps and worked in films during the 90s. But the star soon transitioned into directing and writing.
Momentarily Drena is the spokesperson for the Kageno Orphan Sponsorship program.
Robert’s eldest son Raphael works as a Real Estate Broker but has also appeared in several films alongside his father.
Grandchildren
(Image: FilmMagic)
Robert is also blessed with four beautiful grandchildren.
Eldest daughter Drena has one son, while his son Raphael De Niro has three children.
Robert doesn’t have too many photos of grandchildren as he tries to keep them away from the lime light but the star previously spoke to People about parenting.
He said: “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.”
Net worth
(Image: REUTERS)
Over the course of his career Robert has accumulated a huge fortune from acting, directing and also producing highly accredited movies.
As of 2021, Robert’s net worth is roughly $500 million, according to to reports by Wealthy Gorilla.
Last year the-father-of-six claimed that coronavirus had decimated his finances. His ongoing court battle with estranged wife also didn’t help matters.
(Image: Getty Images)
According to reports by Page six Robert’s wife Grace asked for an emergency order to raise her monthly credit card limit from $50,000 (£39,700) to $100,000 (£79,400).
The Goodfellas actor previously halved that amount, reports claimed.
Robert’s lawyers have also claimed that his finances had been severely damaged by covid-19.
The actor’s lawyers said: “He is going to be lucky if he makes $7.5m this year.
“These people, in spite of his robust earnings, have always spent more than he has earned so this 76-year-old robust man couldn’t retire even if he wanted to because he can’t afford to keep up with his lifestyle expense.”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
