Robert De Niro's Ex-Wife Just Sold Their Former Shared Upper West Side Co-Op for $18 Million

Grace Hightower, the ex-wife of Robert De Niro, is looking for a "new start," according to The Wall Street Journal. The 69-year-old has sold the Upper West Side apartment that she once shared with the 81-year-old Oscar-winning actor.

The 88 Central Park West address signals The Brentmore building. It's a pre-World War I baronial build with 12 stories and 28 units. Built in 1910, the building was once home to other celebrities, including Sting, Paul Simon and Annie Leibovitz.

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Hightower and De Niro purchased the 5,700-square-foot co-op in 2006 for $20.9 million. In May 2024, Hightower put the property for sale for 20 million. It sold on March 5 for $18 million, according to StreetEasy, meaning the sale comes at a loss. Leonard Steinberg, the listing agent at Compass, told the Journal that co-ops have been struggling to sell, because people want flexibility to use their apartments as pieds-à-terre. So, Hightower attached a sensible price tag to her home.

Hightower's space is a duplex, featuring five bedrooms and views of Central Park. It has nearly 11-foot ceilings and hardwood floors throughout the apartment. It was previously owned by Harvey Weinstein, the disgraced film producer. "I wasn't going to say anything [about that]," Hightower laughed to the Journal.

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In 2012, Hightower and De Niro were out of the country when lint stuck in the dryer caused a fire. Hightower's sister, who was caring for the former couple's 3-month-old daughter at the time, left when she smelled smoke. While the apartment was saved, precious memories, like their son's art, crumbled in the blaze. After a year, the family was able to return to the apartment, but the extensive renovations weren't complete until 2015. During the renovation, inches of sand were discovered under the floors. Apparently, it was added to disguise the noise from Weinstein's movie projection equipment.

Hightower and De Niro got married in 1997 and separated in 1999. They reconciled and renewed their vows in 2004, but ultimately divorced in 2008. They have two children together. 

As far as her next home goes, Hightower is looking forward to color — something her ex-husband wasn't crazy about. "I want to get my own space and go crazy," she told the Journal. "I want cobalt blue. I want to throw pink over there…. It will be my dream."

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