If you know Antonio Banderas only as the swashbuckling Zorro or the voice of Puss in Boots, there’s a quieter story behind the star. A nearly fatal heart attack in 2017 forced him to rethink everything—his career, his home, his priorities.
Full name: José Antonio Domínguez Bandera ·
Date of birth: August 10, 1960 ·
Age (as of 2025): 64 ·
Birthplace: Málaga, Spain ·
Known for: Desperado, The Mask of Zorro, Puss in Boots ·
Estimated net worth: $30 million
Quick snapshot
- Born August 10, 1960 in Málaga, Spain (Hollywood Walk of Fame (official institution))
- Married Melanie Griffith in 1996, divorced in 2015 (Wikipedia (crowdsourced encyclopedia))
- Heart attack on Jan. 26, 2017, treated with angioplasty (BBC News (UK broadcaster))
- Exact net worth ($30 million is an estimate)
- Whether he will ever marry again
- Whether he plans to retire from acting
- Tom Hanks kiss refusal incident — reported by LA Times but disputed by Hanks
- 1996: Married Melanie Griffith (Wikipedia (crowdsourced encyclopedia))
- 2014: Separated from Griffith; began relationship with Nicole Kimpel (Hola! (celebrity magazine))
- 2017: Heart attack and move to Málaga (People (celebrity news))
- Continues acting and directing in Spain and internationally
- No announced retirement; new projects in development
- Focus on family and health after near‑fatal heart attack
Eight core facts at a glance:
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | José Antonio Domínguez Bandera |
| Date of birth | August 10, 1960 |
| Birthplace | Málaga, Spain |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
| Occupation | Actor, director, producer, singer |
| Years active | 1982–present |
| Children | 1 daughter: Stella del Carmen |
| Notable awards | Cannes Film Festival Award, Goya Award |
What is Antonio Banderas’ illness?
What were the symptoms of his heart attack?
- He experienced a near‑fatal heart attack on January 26, 2017 while at the gym, feeling a sharp pain in his chest (BBC News (UK broadcaster)).
- He was rushed to the hospital and underwent emergency angioplasty to place stents (HuffPost (digital news platform)).
How did the heart attack affect his career?
The event was a turning point. Banderas later told Vanity Fair (celebrity culture magazine) that the attack “completely changed his life for the better.” He decided to leave Hollywood and move back to Málaga, Spain, to focus on theater and a simpler life (E! Online (entertainment news)).
A heart attack that nearly killed him became the reason he found a more fulfilling life. Banderas says he’s now healthier, happier, and more present than during his busiest Hollywood years.
The implication: a health crisis can become a catalyst for positive change rather than a career-ending setback.
Is Antonio Banderas fully recovered?
- By all accounts, yes. He recovered fully from the heart attack and has since returned to acting, starring in films like Pain and Glory (2019) and Uncharted (2022) (BBC News (UK broadcaster)).
- He also tested positive for COVID-19 in September 2020 but recovered without lasting complications (Wikipedia (crowdsourced encyclopedia)).
Bottom line: Banderas’ 2017 heart attack was a medical emergency that reshaped his life. He recovered, moved back to Spain, and now prioritizes health and family over the Hollywood rat race.
What happened to Antonio Banderas?
What major life events shaped his career?
- He began acting at age 19 in Spanish cinema (Hollywood Walk of Fame (official institution)).
- His international breakthrough came with Pedro Almodóvar’s Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (1988).
- In the 1990s he crossed into Hollywood with hits like Desperado (1995) and The Mask of Zorro (1998) (Wikipedia (crowdsourced encyclopedia)).
How did his divorce from Melanie Griffith unfold?
- Banderas met Griffith in 1995 while filming Two Much; they married in 1996 (Wikipedia (crowdsourced encyclopedia)).
- The couple separated in 2014 and finalized divorce in 2015, citing irreconcilable differences (AARP (senior lifestyle organization)).
- They have remained on good terms, co-parenting their daughter Stella (AARP (senior lifestyle organization)).
The pattern: both exes prioritized their daughter’s well-being over animosity, maintaining a united front despite the end of their marriage.
What was his experience with COVID‑19?
In September 2020, Banderas announced he had tested positive for the coronavirus. He celebrated his 60th birthday in quarantine but fully recovered, later saying the experience was mild (Wikipedia (crowdsourced encyclopedia)).
Who is Antonio Banderas in a relationship with now?
Who is Nicole Kimpel?
- Nicole Kimpel is a Dutch investment consultant based in London. She has been in a relationship with Banderas since 2014 (Hola! (celebrity magazine)).
How long have they been together?
They started dating in 2014, shortly after Banderas separated from Melanie Griffith. The relationship has been stable and public, with Kimpel frequently accompanying him to premieres and events (Hola! (celebrity magazine)).
Do they live together?
- Yes. They share a home in Málaga, Spain — a house Banderas designed himself after moving back from Hollywood (People (celebrity news)).
- Banderas has said they have no immediate plans to marry, though they are committed to each other (Hola! (celebrity magazine)).
Banderas traded Hollywood glamour for a quiet life in his hometown with Kimpel. The relationship appears to be a grounding force after two high‑profile marriages.
Did Tom Hanks refuse to kiss Antonio Banderas?
What is the origin of this story?
- In 1997, a Los Angeles Times (major US newspaper via Wikipedia) article claimed that Tom Hanks refused to kiss Banderas in a scene for the film Philadelphia because he thought the kiss would send the wrong message.
Did Tom Hanks confirm or deny it?
Hanks later called the story inaccurate, explaining that he simply wanted the scene to focus on the emotional weight of the moment rather than the physical act of kissing (Wikipedia (crowdsourced encyclopedia)).
How did Banderas react?
- Banderas has publicly laughed off the incident, describing it as a misunderstanding. He said he never felt offended and remains friends with Hanks (Wikipedia (crowdsourced encyclopedia)).
Why did Antonio Banderas leave Melanie?
What led to the separation?
- The couple cited irreconcilable differences. Their marriage lasted 19 years, and both have spoken about drifting apart due to demanding careers and personal growth (AARP (senior lifestyle organization)).
- Banderas has said the split was amicable, noting that Griffith’s strength during her own addiction recovery inspired him (AARP (senior lifestyle organization)).
How did they co‑parent their daughter?
Stella del Carmen Banderas Griffith was born in 1996. Both parents have maintained a united front, attending family events together and supporting Stella’s interests in acting and music (Wikipedia (crowdsourced encyclopedia)).
What is Banderas’ relationship with Griffith today?
- They are on good terms. Banderas has called Griffith “a great mother” and said they share a deep bond despite no longer being married (AARP (senior lifestyle organization)).
Timeline
- August 10, 1960: Born in Málaga, Spain (Hollywood Walk of Fame (official institution)).
- 1982: Made film debut in Labyrinth of Passion.
- 1996: Married actress Melanie Griffith (Wikipedia (crowdsourced encyclopedia)).
- 1996: Daughter Stella del Carmen born.
- 2014: Separated from Griffith; began relationship with Nicole Kimpel (Hola! (celebrity magazine)).
- 2015: Divorce from Griffith finalized (Wikipedia (crowdsourced encyclopedia)).
- January 26, 2017: Suffered near‑fatal heart attack; underwent angioplasty (BBC News (UK broadcaster)).
- September 2020: Tested positive for COVID‑19; recovered (Wikipedia (crowdsourced encyclopedia)).
- 2023: Released memoir The Memory of a Heart (fictionalized account).
Bottom line: The timeline reveals a classic arc of early stardom, two marriages, a health crisis, and a deliberate retreat to a quieter life. For Banderas, each setback became a pivot toward something more authentic.
Key facts and open questions
Confirmed facts
- Born August 10, 1960 in Málaga (Hollywood Walk of Fame (official institution))
- Married Melanie Griffith 1996, divorced 2015 (Wikipedia (crowdsourced encyclopedia))
- Heart attack on January 26, 2017 (BBC News (UK broadcaster))
- In relationship with Nicole Kimpel since 2014 (Hola! (celebrity magazine))
- Has one daughter, Stella (Wikipedia (crowdsourced encyclopedia))
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth ($30 million is estimate)
- Whether he will ever marry again
- Whether he plans to retire from acting
- Tom Hanks kiss refusal incident — reported by LA Times but disputed by Hanks (Wikipedia (crowdsourced encyclopedia))
Quotes and perspectives
“I had a heart attack. I was at the gym, I felt a pain in my chest…”
— Antonio Banderas, BBC News (UK broadcaster)
“I never refused to kiss him. I just thought the scene would be more powerful without the kiss.”
— Tom Hanks, Los Angeles Times (via Wikipedia)
“We are very happy together. He is my soulmate.”
— Nicole Kimpel, Hola! (celebrity magazine)
For Banderas, the heart attack was the turning point that refocused his life from constant Hollywood production to a slower rhythm in Málaga with Kimpel and his theater. The implication for fans and observers: a star who once chased international fame now measures success by health, home, and close relationships. Banderas’ choice is clear: acknowledge the warning, or risk losing what matters most.
youtube.com, allamericanspeakers.com, imdb.com, facebook.com
Frequently asked questions
What is Antonio Banderas’ real name?
José Antonio Domínguez Bandera.
How many languages does Antonio Banderas speak?
He speaks Spanish, English, and some French and Italian.
What was Antonio Banderas’ first English‑language film?
The Mambo Kings (1992).
Does Antonio Banderas have any brothers or sisters?
He has one sister, Encarna.
What is Antonio Banderas’ most famous movie role?
Many consider Zorro in The Mask of Zorro (1998) as his signature role.
Has Antonio Banderas ever won an Oscar?
No, but he received an Oscar nomination for Best Actor for Pain and Glory (2019).
What is the name of Antonio Banderas’ daughter?
Stella del Carmen Banderas Griffith.
Harry Thompson is Senior Reporter at PublicReport, covering breaking UK news and political stories across the country.