Grace Hightower has an estimated net worth of $50 million. The American actress, singer, entrepreneur and philanthropist is widely known for her former marriage to Hollywood actor Robert De Niro. However, her career and business interests extend beyond her relationship with the award-winning actor.
Hightower has worked in the entertainment industry and established a coffee business focused on supporting farmers in Rwanda. She has also been involved in charitable organisations and initiatives supporting education, women’s empowerment and people with disabilities.
- Grace Hightower Net Worth: $50 Million
- Date of Birth: April 7, 1955
- Place of Birth: Kilmichael, Mississippi
- Nationality: American
- Career: actress, singer, entrepreneur and philanthropist
Early Life
Grace Hightower was born on April 7, 1955, in Kilmichael, Mississippi. She grew up in a modest family and later left Mississippi to explore opportunities outside her home state.
Before entering the entertainment industry, Hightower worked as a flight attendant. The job allowed her to travel and experience different cultures. She later lived in several cities, including Paris and London, before establishing herself in New York.
Her early professional experiences helped shape her interests in business, entertainment and philanthropy.
Acting and Music Career
Hightower later moved into acting and secured roles in television and film. Her television appearances included the popular police drama NYPD Blue.
She also appeared in films such as Precious (2009) and The Paperboy (2012). Although she did not build a career around leading film roles, these projects gave her an opportunity to work in the entertainment industry.
Her involvement in Precious also extended to music. She performed the song “Somethin’s Comin’ My Way”, which featured on the film’s soundtrack.
The song introduced another side of her creative interests. Hightower has continued to be recognised as an actress and singer, although much of her public profile has also centred on her business and charitable activities.
Coffee Business
One of Hightower’s major business ventures is Grace Hightower & Coffees of Rwanda. She established the coffee brand after visiting Rwanda and becoming interested in the country’s coffee industry and the economic opportunities available to local farmers.
The business was created to connect Rwandan coffee producers with international markets. It focuses on direct sourcing, fair trade and responsible production practices.
Hightower’s interest in Rwanda was influenced by the country’s efforts to rebuild its economy and improve the livelihoods of its people. She saw coffee as a way to support farming communities, particularly women involved in coffee production.
The venture gave her a business identity outside Hollywood. It also brought together her commercial interests and philanthropic goals.
The company has promoted Rwandan coffee to international consumers and businesses. Its activities have focused on creating market opportunities for farmers while encouraging sustainable agricultural practices.
Philanthropy
Hightower has maintained an active role in philanthropy. She has been associated with organisations working in education, women’s empowerment, health and social inclusion.
Her charitable involvement has included the New York Women’s Foundation and the New York Fund for Public Schools. She has also served on Ronald Perelman’s Women’s Heart Health Advisory Council and been involved with the International Women’s Coffee Alliance.
Hightower has supported initiatives such as Bring Change to Mind, Autism Speaks and JobPath. These organisations work in areas including mental health awareness, autism support and employment opportunities.
Her work with the Rwandan coffee industry also reflects her interest in creating sustainable economic opportunities. Through her business, she has sought to promote direct trade and improve the position of farming communities in international markets.
Marriage to Robert De Niro
Grace Hightower met Robert De Niro in the late 1980s. Their relationship developed over several years before they married on June 17, 1997.
The couple welcomed their first child, a son named Elliot, in 1998. Their second child, a daughter named Helen Grace, was born in December 2011 through surrogacy.
Their marriage experienced difficulties. De Niro filed for divorce in 1999, and the couple also faced a custody dispute involving their son. They later reconciled and renewed their wedding vows in 2004.
However, the relationship eventually broke down again. They separated in November 2018 after more than two decades of marriage.
Divorce Dispute
The separation attracted considerable media attention because of the couple’s wealth and financial arrangements.
In June 2019, Hightower’s legal team made claims about De Niro’s financial position, estimating that his net worth was at least $500 million. Her lawyers also argued that he had earned hundreds of millions of dollars during their marriage through acting and business interests, including the Nobu restaurant and hotel group.
The couple’s financial arrangements were influenced by a prenuptial agreement signed in connection with their renewed vows in 2004.
The agreement became a major issue during the divorce proceedings. Hightower challenged its terms and argued that she was entitled to a share of income and business assets accumulated during their marriage.
In October 2021, an appeals court upheld a ruling that De Niro’s income earned during the marriage and certain business assets acquired during that period were his separate property under the agreement. The ruling rejected Hightower’s claim to half of those earnings.
The agreement also provided for financial support, including annual alimony payments and money towards a new home. The court proceedings showed that the divorce settlement was governed by the terms of the agreement rather than an automatic division of De Niro’s entire fortune.
The dispute also included disagreements over household spending during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, Hightower complained that De Niro had reduced her monthly American Express allowance from $100,000 to $50,000. His lawyers argued that the pandemic had severely affected his business income.
New York Real Estate
Real estate has also featured in Hightower’s financial history.
In 2006, she and De Niro purchased a large apartment at 88 Central Park West in Manhattan for approximately $20.9 million. The property was previously owned by film producer Harvey Weinstein.
The nearly 6,000-square-foot residence became one of the couple’s prominent shared properties. Following their separation, Hightower took steps to sell the apartment.
She listed the property in 2024 for $20 million. In March 2025, reports confirmed that it had sold for $18 million, below the couple’s original purchase price.
The sale marked another major development in the separation of their financial lives. However, the property’s sale price should not be treated as Hightower’s personal profit or added directly to her net worth without accounting for ownership arrangements, costs and any outstanding financial obligations.
Author: Andrew Walyaula
Andrew Walyaula is a seasoned multimedia journalist. Email: [email protected]
