Hollywood icon Robert De Niro brought a touch of cinematic glamour to London's West End on Wednesday night, serving as the guest of honour for designer Stella McCartney's Christmas lights switch-on ceremony.
A Star-Studded Festive Affair
The 82-year-old acting legend was in high spirits as he joined the British fashion designer and singer Lulu for the celebratory event at McCartney's flagship store on Old Bond Street. The star was wrapped up warm against the November chill, clearly enjoying the festive atmosphere of the occasion.
Past Financial Woes and Divorce Battle
De Niro's appearance carries particular significance given his historical connection to the designer. During his bitter divorce from ex-wife Grace Hightower, the actor famously blamed her substantial spending on Stella McCartney's creations for significantly draining his finances.
Back in 2021, De Niro claimed the divorce proceedings had left him financially strained and rapidly depleting his cash reserves. His attorney, Caroline Krauss, revealed that Hightower's monthly expenditure averaged $215,000 on credit cards plus $160,000 in cash.
Krauss argued at the time that the actor, then 77, should not be compelled to maintain such a relentless work schedule simply to fund his estranged wife's expensive tastes, specifically mentioning her "thirst for Stella McCartney."
Family Life and Future Projects
The settlement, finalized in April 2022, saw Hightower awarded $1 million annually, with the couple agreeing to split proceeds from the sale of their $20 million home.
Meanwhile, De Niro has been embracing family life with his youngest child, two-year-old daughter Gia, whom he shares with girlfriend Tiffany Chen. The actor, who has seven children in total, recently spoke about the complexities of fatherhood, noting that each of his children would likely have "a different answer" if asked to describe him.
Professionally, the native New Yorker is making significant moves in film production, having recently opened a 775,000-square-foot production studio in Queens alongside his son Raphael and business partner Adam Gordon. De Niro expressed his commitment to filming exclusively in New York, hoping to revitalise the local industry after recent challenges.
