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<\/p>\nAfter so many decades in Hollywood, it\u2019s not surprising to learn that Robert De Niro has a vast number of properties all around the world. However, his estate in New York is the most amazing and his primary home. It\u2019s located in Gardiner, although he also had a few rented places in the West Village and Central Park West.<\/p>\n
The Gardiner property is a 2,222-square-foot mansion on 98 acres, which he bought in 1997 for $1.5 million. It was designed in the 18th century and has had several additions since then. It includes six bedrooms and seven baths and has the most fantastic view of the Hudson River.<\/p>\n
However, after purchasing the property, the actor did his own remodeling, including turning the barn into a 14,000-square-foot recreation center. It features a boxing room, a film studio, a game room, a swimming pool, a steam room, a sauna, and much more.Surprisingly, there are other barns on the property, which De Niro turned into a workshop and an office. Meanwhile, there are two guest houses, a tennis court, etc. It\u2019s now considered a multi-building compound. They even have a ski slope close by.<\/p>\n
Like most of his other children, Gia has been kept out of the public eye.
\nHis Dream Home Turned Into a Nightmare
\nUnfortunately, the actor had a massive fight with the town of Gardiner that spanned over three years due to the property taxes on his estate. The $1.5 million mansion was later assessed at $6 million, which De Niro refused to pay. Therefore, he went to court.The actor also didn\u2019t impress the 5,800 Gardiner people, including farmers, second-home owners, and other workers. However, most people don\u2019t know De Niro is in town unless they hear the helicopter go up Wallkill River. Some residents have even called him \u201cthe ghost of Gardiner.\u201d Additionally, it has also been said that he told his neighbors:<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t bother me. I won\u2019t bother you.\u201d<\/p>\n
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However, the town did bother De Niro over his property tax bill. The bigger issue is that the legal battle was more expensive than the actor had to pay, so many Gardiner residents thought it odd that he wouldn\u2019t settle in the first place.<\/p>\n
The legal battle was fierce, with De Niro refusing to give in. That made his neighbors think less of him than they initially did. When the judge ruled against his trust, the actor continued, filing an appeal. A barber at a local place said that most people were rooting for him until he refused to admit defeat.<\/p>\n
During the case, several assessments were made on the property, with the town finally landing a fair number: $6 million. But the trust didn\u2019t like it and went on with the appeal. The property tax with that assessment would have been $170,000, which seems fair for such a grand compound.<\/p>\n
The town also didn\u2019t back down, fearing that if the actor won, other wealthy property owners would try to do the same and not pay their taxes. Meanwhile, the neighbors were getting angrier because De Niro often talked about loving Gardiner. Bill Hess, who grew up on the property way before the actor bought it, said:<\/p>\n
\u201cIf he loves it so much, maybe he should help pay to maintain it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ultimately, De Niro\u2019s trust lost the battle after three years in court, and he had to pay the property tax bill and the massive legal fees from the protracted dispute. He had to cover the town\u2019s part as well.<\/p>\n
Robert De Niro and His Children
\nAside from being one of the most iconic actors ever, De Niro is a proud father to seven children: Drena, Raphael, Aaron, Julian, Elliot, Helen, and Gia. In 1976, he married singer Diahnne Abbot and had his first son, Raphael.<\/p>\n
Abbot had a daughter, Drena, from a previous relationship, and the actor adopted her before his separation from the singer in 1988. De Niro later dated model Toukie Smith, and although they never got married, they had twins, Julian and Aaron, using IVF and surrogacy.<\/p>\n
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Sadly, they broke up shortly afterward. The actor married Grace Hightower in 1997 and had Elliot in 1998, followed by Helen in 2011. His second marriage lasted 20 years, but the couple split in 2018. When asked about his kids, De Niro said:<\/p>\n
\u201cI love my children, just being with them. [But] It\u2019s not easy. When you have the good moments [though], you forget about the ones that weren\u2019t good.\u201d<\/p>\n
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