Antonio Banderas: Heart Attack, Divorce & Reinvention

Ask anyone about Antonio Banderas and the first image that pops up is usually the swashbuckling Puss in Boots or that smoldering look from The Mask of Zorro. But behind the Hollywood gloss, the Spanish actor has lived through a heart attack, a high-profile divorce, and a quiet reinvention back in his hometown of Málaga.

Born: August 10, 1960, Málaga, Spain ·
Net Worth: $20 million (estimated) ·
Notable Accolades: Cannes Film Festival Award, Goya Award ·
Children: 1 daughter (Stella)

Eight key facts about Antonio Banderas, from his birth to his most recent roles, lay out the arc of his life in numbers.

Who is Antonio Banderas with now?

Current partner details

Since 2015, Banderas has been in a relationship with Dutch investment professional Nicole Kimpel. The two live together in Málaga, Spain (People). They have not married, and Banderas has said he values the stability of the partnership without the legal formalities.

Past relationships after Melanie Griffith

Apart from Kimpel, Banderas has not been publicly linked to anyone else since his divorce. He has called the relationship “peaceful” and credits her with helping him settle back into Spanish life.

What happened to Antonio Banderas?

Heart attack in 2017

On January 26, 2017, Banderas suffered a myocardial infarction. He underwent a procedure to insert three stents into his arteries (KATU/AP). He later told NPR the event “changed how he looked at life” and called it “one of the best things that ever happened to him” (NPR).

Leaving Hollywood for Spain

After the heart attack, Banderas moved back to Málaga. He sold his private jet, quit smoking, and bought a local theatre, the Teatro del Soho CaixaBank (People; The Rake). He told The Times the scare was “a serious warning” (The Times).

Why did Melanie and Antonio split?

Melanie Griffith’s perspective

Griffith told People in 2016 that the couple “grew apart, but we are still good friends and great parents” (People). The divorce was finalized in 2015 after 19 years of marriage.

Antonio Banderas’s perspective

Banderas has been more private but has said the split was amicable. He and Griffith continue to co-parent their daughter, Stella. In a 2021 interview with El País, he noted that the end of their marriage coincided with his health crisis, forcing a complete reset.

Impact on their daughter

Stella del Carmen, born in 1996, splits her time between the U.S. and Spain. Both parents have emphasized maintaining a stable environment for her.

Was Madonna in love with Antonio Banderas?

Madonna’s pursuit in the 1990s

During the filming of Evita (1996), Madonna reportedly pursued Banderas. Sources have claimed she was “obsessed” with him, but Banderas later said he “had no idea she was pursuing me” (The Guardian).

Antonio Banderas’s response

Banderas has repeatedly denied any romantic involvement. “I was just focused on the movie,” he told The Guardian. The story remains one of Hollywood’s most persistent tabloid legends, but no evidence of a relationship exists.

What illness does Antonio Banderas have?

Heart attack details

Banderas’s heart attack was a myocardial infarction that required three stents. He has not reported any other chronic illness. In 2024, he appeared healthy and continues to work (HuffPost).

Ongoing health management

The actor quit smoking, changed his diet, and exercises regularly. He told The Times he sees his cardiologist annually. No further cardiac events have been reported.

Banderas’s story is less about a star fading and more about a man who chose life over ambition. After the heart attack, he didn’t just slow down — he rebuilt his world in his own hometown. For anyone facing a midlife health scare, the lesson is clear: redefine success on your own terms, or the industry will do it for you.