Antonio Banderas has opened up about his continued close relationship with his ex-wife, Melanie Griffith, more than a decade after their divorce. Speaking with People, Banderas, 65, stated that he and Griffith, 68, remain "best friends," a sentiment he has expressed previously.
The couple married in 1996 and were together for 18 years before Griffith filed for divorce in June 2014, with the proceedings finalized by December of that year. Despite the end of their marriage, Banderas revealed that they maintain regular contact and enjoy each other's company.
"When I go to Los Angeles, we get together anyway, we got a lot of fun. We laugh and we just... It’s a very healthy thing, and it was very healthy for our kids," Banderas shared. He highlighted that their amicable separation was important for their children and themselves.
Banderas and Griffith share a daughter, Stella Banderas. Griffith also has three other children from previous relationships: Alexander Bauer, Dakota Johnson, and Jesse Johnson. Banderas praised Griffith as an "unbelievable mother" and expressed pride in how their children are maturing.
This enduring friendship was also evident in April when Banderas shared a rare photo on Instagram with Griffith, captioning it "my ex-wife and lifelong friend, Melanie." The image showed the two, along with their daughter Stella and her husband Alex Gruszynski, sharing a moment together.
In a 2019 interview with Vulture, Banderas referred to Griffith as "family" and "one of my best friends." He recalled their first meeting at the 1989 Oscars, where he was struck by her appearance. They later reconnected and fell in love while filming the 1995 romantic comedy "Two Much," leading to their marriage in May 1996.
Their divorce was finalized amicably, with a joint statement released at the time that read: "We have thoughtfully and consensually decided to finalize our almost 20-year marriage in a loving and friendly manner honoring and respecting each other, our family and friends and the beautiful time we have spent together - Melanie & Antonio."
Banderas also touched upon a personal health event, describing his 2017 heart attack as the "best thing" that happened to him. He explained that the experience provided him with a clearer perspective on life, allowing him to prioritize experiences over material possessions.
Banderas has been in a relationship with Dutch entrepreneur Nicole Kimpel for the past 12 years. Griffith was previously married to Don Johnson, with whom she has daughter Dakota Johnson, and son Jesse Johnson. She also has a son, Alexander Bauer, from her second marriage to Steven Bauer.