Robert De Niro Net Worth

Robert De Niro is considered one of the most influential actors of his generation, known for acclaimed collaborations with director Martin Scorsese. With a career spanning over 50 years, De Niro has amassed an extensive filmography and achieved worldwide recognition. 

Six of his films, including classics like Taxi Driver and Raging Bull, have been inducted into the US National Film Registry for their cultural significance. Now 79 years old, the veteran actor continues to take on challenging roles, recently appearing in films like Joker and The Irishman. 

With such an illustrious career at the height of Hollywood, many wonder about De Niro’s current net worth and the way he accumulated his wealth. This article will examine his acting career and business ventures to estimate his total assets and net worth today.

Robert De Niro’s net worth

De Niro has built an immense fortune over his decades-long acting career. With a net worth estimated at $500 million in 2023, he is one of the wealthiest actors in the world. A massive portion of De Niro’s wealth comes from co-founding the acclaimed Nobu hospitality brand. 

Nobu restaurants and hotels earn hundreds of millions in revenue annually, making it a highly successful venture. He also earns large paychecks for his acting roles in major films. For example, it’s estimated that he made $250-300 million from acting between 2004 and 2018. 

However, De Niro’s finances have recently become a point of legal contention amidst a bitter divorce with ex-wife Grace Hightower. Court filings revealed De Niro’s immense net worth, but Hightower claimed he hid his finances from her for years. 

Robert De Niro in ‘Taxi Driver’ (Source: The New York Times)

She initially sought 50% of his fortune, claiming he earned $30 million annually. Their prenup entitled her to a portion of earnings over $15 million. 

Though the COVID-19 pandemic supposedly depleted De Niro’s income, he still reduced her monthly allowance from $100,000 to $50,000, sparking legal disputes. De Niro claimed Nobu lost millions in early 2020 and that he’d be lucky to make $7.5 million that year. 

Ultimately, the judge upheld the reduced allowance but ordered De Niro to pay for Hightower’s summer housing.

The messy divorce proceedings provided a rare glimpse into De Niro’s vast wealth through acting, business, and investments over his decorated career. Even with recent financial hits, his net worth remains immense.

Robert De Niro has had a steady career in the movies

With a career spanning over 50 years, De Niro has cemented himself as one of the greatest and most celebrated actors of all time. After training at the renowned Stella Adler Conservatory, De Niro gained acclaim in 1973 for Bang the Drum Slowly. 

However, his volatile performance in Mean Streets that same year truly put him on the map and began his storied collaboration with director Martin Scorsese. 

In the 1970s, De Niro gave several iconic performances in films like The Godfather Part II, Taxi Driver, and The Deer Hunter, winning an Academy Award and multiple nominations. His portrayal of Jake LaMotta in 1980’s Raging Bull earned him his second Oscar for Best Actor. 

Robert De Niro in ‘Killers Of The Flower Moon’ (Source: Empire)

Following that, De Niro continued demonstrating his acting prowess in acclaimed films of the 80s and 90s like Brazil, The Untouchables, Goodfellas, Casino, Heat, and Jackie Brown. He also took up directing, helming A Bronx Tale and The Good Shepherd. 

Now 80 years old, De Niro has never stopped acting, maintaining a steady career in film for nearly 50 years. He continues taking on challenging roles in major movies while receiving lifetime achievement awards for his fantastic job. 

Despite his age, he remains dedicated to his craft, maintaining his reputation as one of the greatest actors in cinema history through a remarkably steady, lifelong career in film.

Robert De Niro’s production company and other ventures

In addition to his prolific acting career, De Niro has established himself as an entrepreneur and businessman through several successful ventures. In 1989, he co-founded TriBeCa Productions with partner Jane Rosenthal. 

The company produces films and also organized the prestigious annual Tribeca Film Festival. De Niro is also co-owner of several flourishing restaurant and hospitality businesses. He co-owns the upscale Tribeca Grill in New York, established in 1990. 

Robert De Niro with chef Nobu Matsuhisa (Source: Eater)

He also co-founded the Nobu brand of luxury sushi restaurants and hotels. There are over 40 Nobu locations globally, generating hundreds of millions in revenue. He partnered with billionaire James Packer to expand the Nobu brand, with Packer acquiring a 20% stake for $100 million. 

Similarly, he has ownership shares in the Greenwich Hotel in New York and the Paradise Found Nobu Resort planned for Barbuda. 

While acting remains his passion, De Niro has proven himself a savvy entrepreneur through these successful business ventures spanning restaurants, hotels, and film production. 

His production company and restaurants have given him steady revenue streams outside of acting to build his wealth over the decades.

Robert De Niro’s recent lawsuit

In 2019, De Niro’s production company, Canal Productions, sued his former assistant, Graham Chase Robinson, for allegedly misusing company funds and frequenting personal activities on company time. 

Robinson then countersued De Niro and Canal Productions for $12 million, alleging gender discrimination and harassment. According to Robinson, De Niro treated her as an “office wife” and assigned her stereotypically female chores like washing his sheets despite her senior role as VP of Production and Finance. 

She claimed De Niro underpaid her compared to male colleagues. Robinson also accused him of abusive and inappropriate behavior, like having phone conversations with her while urinating. 

Robert De Niro in front of Manhattan Federal Court (Source: The Sydney Morning Herald)

In his testimony, De Niro denied the allegations and admitted to only asking Robinson to scratch his back occasionally, calling the accusations “nonsense.” 

The case recently concluded with a jury finding Canal Productions liable for discrimination and retaliation against Robinson. They awarded Robinson over $1.2 million in damages. However, De Niro was not found personally liable. 

While he claimed vindication in not being held personally responsible, his production company still faces a substantial payout. The lawsuit exposed the inner workings and tensions between De Niro and his longtime assistant. 

Despite his vehement denials on the stand, De Niro’s reputation has been tarnished by the profoundly personal accusations from Robinson that painted him as an abusive boss. It remains to be seen if Canal Productions will appeal the verdict as the legal battle continues.