When a heart attack hits at 56, it tends to reorder priorities. For Antonio Banderas, the January 2017 wake-up call came just two years after his divorce from Melanie Griffith, and it reshaped everything — his career, his home, and his relationships.
Full name: José Antonio Domínguez Bandera ·
Born: 10 August 1960 (age 64) ·
Height: 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in) ·
Net worth: Approximately $30 million ·
Children: 1 daughter (Stella del Carmen Banderas Griffith) ·
Years active: 1982–present
Quick snapshot
- Banderas had a heart attack in January 2017 (E! Online (entertainment news))
- He and Melanie Griffith divorced in 2015 (Best Life (lifestyle publication))
- He is in a relationship with Nicole Kimpel since 2014 (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia))
- Dakota Johnson and Antonio Banderas maintain a close relationship (People (celebrity news))
- Exact reasons for the divorce (only “irreconcilable differences” publicly stated)
- Whether he will marry Nicole Kimpel
- Future health risks after the 2017 heart attack
- 1960: Born in Málaga, Spain
- 1996: Marries Melanie Griffith
- 2014: Separates; begins relationship with Nicole Kimpel
- 2017: Suffers heart attack, undergoes surgery
- 2019: Oscar nomination for Pain and Glory
- 2024: Continues acting; remains close with ex-wife and stepdaughter
- New film projects in development
- Living in Spain with Nicole Kimpel
- Continued advocacy for heart health awareness
Seven key facts about Antonio Banderas, one pattern: his life has been shaped by resilience through health crises and personal transitions.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | José Antonio Domínguez Bandera |
| Born | 10 August 1960, Málaga, Spain |
| Occupation | Actor, director, producer |
| Height | 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in) |
| Net worth | Approximately $30 million |
| Children | 1 daughter (Stella del Carmen Banderas Griffith) |
| Current partner | Nicole Kimpel (since 2014) |
Why did Antonio leave Melanie?
The divorce timeline
- Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith married in 1996 (Best Life (lifestyle publication)).
- They separated in June 2014, issuing a joint statement describing the split as “loving and friendly” (Best Life (lifestyle publication)).
- The divorce was finalized in 2015 (Best Life (lifestyle publication)).
Statements from both parties
Neither Banderas nor Griffith has elaborated on the reasons beyond “irreconcilable differences.” In later interviews, Banderas said he was “coming out of a divorce” and throwing himself into work before his 2017 heart attack (HuffPost (news site)).
Reasons cited in interviews
Banderas described his post-divorce work pattern as “making movies one behind the other” and called it “crazy” (Movieguide (faith-based media)). Multiple reports connect the heart attack to overworking while coping with divorce-related stress (Movieguide (faith-based media)).
Banderas channeled his divorce pain into a punishing film schedule, but the effort likely contributed to the physical collapse that finally forced him to slow down.
The pattern: a public divorce handled with dignity, but the emotional toll may have been deeper than the couple ever admitted.
What is Antonio Banderas’ illness?
The heart attack in 2017
In January 2017, Banderas suffered a heart attack (E! Online (entertainment news)). He had three stents placed in his arteries (Best Life (lifestyle publication)). Banderas later said the heart attack transformed the way he perceived life (E! Online (entertainment news)).
Recovery and lifestyle changes
- He quit smoking (E! Online (entertainment news)).
- He reportedly sold his private jet (E! Online (entertainment news)).
- He returned to his hometown of Málaga, Spain, with partner Nicole Kimpel (E! Online (entertainment news)).
Impact on his career
After the heart attack, Banderas became more selective about projects. He still delivered an Oscar-nominated performance in Pain and Glory (2019). He has said the heart attack was a serious warning that changed his outlook on life (HuffPost (news site)).
Banderas turned a medical crisis into a catalyst for a simpler, healthier life — a lesson for anyone who ties their identity to work.
The implication: the heart attack, while frightening, gave Banderas permission to reset priorities that years of success had blurred.
Does Dakota Johnson still have a relationship with Antonio Banderas?
Dakota Johnson as stepdaughter
Dakota Johnson is the daughter of Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson (Best Life (lifestyle publication)). Banderas was her stepfather from 1996 to 2015.
Public appearances together
Despite the divorce, Johnson and Banderas remain close. In 2019, Johnson presented Banderas with a Hollywood Actor Award, giving a heartfelt speech (Hollywood Film Awards Facebook (social media)).
Statements about their bond
Johnson publicly praised Banderas as someone who “changed her family forever with his love” (People (celebrity news)). Banderas has called her “my daughter” in interviews (Entertainment Tonight, 2023).
The pattern: the bond between stepfather and stepdaughter survived the divorce, proving that family ties can outlast legal ones.
Who is Antonio Banderas in a relationship with now?
Nicole Kimpel: background
Banderas has been in a relationship with Nicole Kimpel since 2014 (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)). Kimpel is a Dutch investment consultant.
Relationship timeline
- They began dating in 2014, around the time Banderas separated from Griffith.
- Kimpel moved with Banderas to Málaga after his heart attack.
- They are often seen together at events and on Instagram.
Public appearances
The couple has attended red-carpet events and shared photos on social media. Banderas has not indicated plans to marry again.
Why this matters: Kimpel has been a steady presence through Banderas’s health crisis and relocation, offering stability that his earlier high-profile marriage lacked.
What are Antonio Banderas’ most famous movies?
Early Spanish films: Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
Banderas gained international fame with The Mambo Kings (1992) (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)).
Hollywood breakthrough: Philadelphia (1993)
He starred alongside Tom Hanks in Philadelphia (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)).
Blockbusters: Desperado, The Mask of Zorro
His role in Desperado (1995) cemented his action-hero status. The Mask of Zorro (1998) became a signature role.
Recent acclaimed roles: Pain and Glory
In 2019, Banderas earned an Academy Award nomination for his performance in Pain and Glory (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)).
The catch: despite decades of Hollywood stardom, Banderas’s most personal work came in a Spanish-language film that drew on his own life.
Timeline
- – Born in Málaga, Spain
- – Film debut in Labyrinth of Passion
- – Breakthrough in The Mambo Kings
- – Marries Melanie Griffith
- – Stars in The Mask of Zorro
- – Separates from Melanie Griffith; begins relationship with Nicole Kimpel
- – Divorce finalized
- – Suffers a heart attack, undergoes surgery
- – Oscar nomination for Pain and Glory
- – Continues acting and directing; remains close with ex-wife and stepdaughter
Confirmed facts
- Banderas had a heart attack in January 2017 (E! Online)
- He and Melanie Griffith divorced in 2015 (Best Life)
- He is in a relationship with Nicole Kimpel (Wikipedia)
- Dakota Johnson and Antonio Banderas have a close relationship (People)
What’s unclear
- Exact reasons for the divorce (only “irreconcilable differences” publicly stated)
- Whether he will marry Nicole Kimpel
- Future health risks
Key quotes
“I had a heart attack… I had to change my life.”
— Antonio Banderas, E! Online (entertainment news), 2017
“She is my daughter. I love her.”
— Antonio Banderas on Dakota Johnson, People (celebrity news), 2023
“He is a wonderful father and friend.”
— Melanie Griffith, Best Life (lifestyle publication), 2019
Banderas’s ability to maintain a genuine friendship with his ex-wife and a fatherly bond with his stepdaughter after divorce is rare in Hollywood. For someone who rebuilt his health and his home in Spain, the choice is clear: prioritize the people who matter, no matter how messy the past.
youtube.com, youtube.com, facebook.com, goalcast.com, eonline.com
Frequently asked questions
What is Antonio Banderas’ real name?
José Antonio Domínguez Bandera.
How old is Antonio Banderas?
Born 10 August 1960, he is 64 years old as of 2024.
Is Antonio Banderas married to Nicole Kimpel?
No, they are in a long-term relationship but not married.
How many children does Antonio Banderas have?
One daughter, Stella del Carmen Banderas Griffith.
What is Antonio Banderas’ most famous role?
He is widely known for playing Zorro in The Mask of Zorro (1998) and for his Oscar-nominated role in Pain and Glory (2019).
Did Antonio Banderas win an Oscar?
He has not won an Oscar but was nominated for Best Actor for Pain and Glory in 2019.
What is Antonio Banderas’ nationality?
Spanish.
What is Antonio Banderas’ height?
1.76 m (5 ft 9 in).
Related reading
Related stories
Noah Gagnon is Senior Reporter at Toronto Post, covering breaking Canadian news, municipal affairs and community stories.