Grace Hightower

Grace Hightower: biography

Grace Hightower is an American socialite, actress, singer, and philanthropist who is best known for her work as a philanthropist and for her marriage to actor Robert De Niro.

Childhood and youth

Grace Hightower was born on April 7, 1955, in Kilmichael, Mississippi, USA. Hightower's parents separated when she was very young, and her mother moved the family to a housing project in the Bronx, New York, to seek better opportunities.

Growing up, Hightower faced many challenges and struggled to make ends meet. Despite this, she was determined to succeed and worked hard to pursue her dreams. After finishing high school, she attended college in Texas for a year before dropping out to pursue a career as a flight attendant.

Hightower worked for Trans World Airlines (TWA) for a number of years before leaving to pursue other interests.

Throughout her childhood and youth, Hightower faced many challenges but persevered to achieve success in her career and personal life. She has used her own experiences to help others and is involved in various philanthropic efforts to support disadvantaged communities.

Movie and music career

Grace Hightower has appeared in supporting roles in several movies, including "Precious" (2009) and "The Paperboy" (2012). She also had a minor role in a 1994 episode of the TV series "NYPD Blue" titled "Zeppo Marks Brothers."

Hightower has also showcased her vocal abilities as a singer. She provided lead vocals for the track "Somethin's Comin' My Way," which was written by Dan Manjovi for the soundtrack of the 2009 movie "Precious."

Business and philanthropic career

Grace Hightower has had a successful business career in addition to her work in entertainment. In 2005, she founded a coffee company called "Grace Hightower & Coffees of Rwanda" that aimed to promote economic development in Rwanda by sourcing coffee beans from local farmers.

The company has been successful in both its business endeavors and its social impact. It has provided training and resources to local coffee farmers, and has helped to create a sustainable and profitable coffee industry in Rwanda.

In addition to her work in coffee, Hightower has been involved in several other business ventures. She co-founded a line of skincare products called "Caudalie Paris" and has also been involved in real estate investment.

Hightower's business ventures reflect her commitment to using her resources and platform to create positive change in the world. She has been recognized for her entrepreneurship and philanthropy, receiving awards such as the "Humanitarian of the Year" award from the American Red Cross and the "Woman of the Year" award from the National Association of Women Business Owners.

Personal life

Grace Hightower has had an interesting personal life, marked by both successes and challenges. In 1987, Grace Hightower crossed paths with Robert De Niro while working at Mr. Chow, a renowned Chinese restaurant and a popular spot for celebrities in London. The two hit it off and began dating shortly after.

In 1997, Grace Hightower and Robert De Niro tied the knot. The following year, they welcomed their first child together. However, their marriage hit a rough patch in 1999 when De Niro filed for divorce and later sued for custody of their son in 2001. Despite the legal battles, they reconciled in 2004 and renewed their vows. In 2011, they welcomed their second child, who was born via surrogate. Unfortunately, their relationship encountered more challenges in November 2018 when the couple separated.

Hightower has remained committed to making a positive impact on the world. She is a passionate philanthropist and advocate for human rights, and has been involved in numerous charitable organizations throughout her career. She has also been successful in her own right as an entrepreneur, launching her own line of coffee and other ventures.

Filmography

• "NYPD Blue" (1994)
• "Brotherhood" (1997)
• "Precious" (2009)
• "The Paperboy" (2012)