Antonio Banderas has been a hero both in real life and in movies. Since he first appeared on screen in the 1980s, he has become a well-known Spanish actor, director, producer, and singer.
Banderas is best known for his roles in “Evita” (1996), “The Mask of Zorro” (1998), the “Spy Kids” movies, and as Puss in Boots in the “Shrek” movies and their spin-offs.
In 1992, he got a part in the highly praised movie “The Mambo Kings.” Later, in 1993, he had even more success when he worked with Tom Hanks in the movie “Philadelphia.” Madonna and Banderas worked together again when they both had important parts in “Evita,” a movie version of the musical by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber.
In the late 1980s, the Spanish star married Ana Leza. They split up in 1996. He later married his co-star, Melanie Griffith, when they were both working on “Two Much.”
Griffith had been married to both Don Johnson and Steven Bauer before this. She already had Dakota and Alexander to care for.
When Banderas became Dakota’s husband, her life changed in a big way for the better. When things were hard, he was there for her. Also, they have shown that you don’t always have to be related to someone to be a part of their family.
But in 2015, the couple broke up, citing “irreconcilable differences” as the reason, even though they told everyone it was done “in a loving and friendly way.”
Dakota would often refer to Banderas as her “bonus dad.” Even though Banderas and Griffith had split up, their bond as father and daughter had not changed.
Banderas met Griffith, who would become his second wife and co-star in “Two Much,” on the set of the movie. After a while, they got engaged, and in May of 1996, they got married in London.
Banderas was very nice to Griffith, who already had two kids, Dakota and Alexander. Stella, Griffith and Banderas’s daughter was born in the same year as her parents.
As soon as Banderas moved into the house, his stepchildren started to think of him as a second father. People Magazine says that they even gave him the cute name “Paponio,” which is a mix of “Papa” and “Antonio.”
But in 2015, Banderas and Griffith got a divorce, ending their 20-year marriage. Even after this setback, the actor’s stepchildren stayed close to him, especially Dakota.
Dakota has said many times that she loves and respects Banderas a lot. At the 2019 Hollywood Film Awards, Banderas got Best Actor for “Pain and Glory,” and Dakota gave him the award.
“It was a good thing that my family had a lot of marriages. After some time, I realized that my “bonus dad” is one of the most important people in my life,” said Dakota.
“When I was six years old, my mother married a man. He brought a whole new world of creativity and culture into our family and a magical little sister.”
Dakota was happy to give the award to her dad and happy to remember how he had taught her the basics of acting and life.
“Antonio taught me what it means to have real drive and to be disciplined. She exclaimed, “He would spend hours or even days in his office trying to get to the heart of something he was interested in or a role he was preparing for.”
Thanks to Banderas, Dakota found out that she could really play. Dakota’s first role was in the 1999 movie “Crazy in Alabama,” which starred Antonio Banderas. She only spoke a few lines. She even hired an acting teacher to help her practice her lines because she was so determined to do it right.
Entertainment Online says that this wasn’t the first time Dakota gave her father important time on set. While Banderas and Madonna were working on “Evita,” an Easter treat was delivered to the pop star’s door.
I love my daughter, and she is mine. “I’ve been traveling the world with her on my shoulders,” Banderas said lovingly of his stepdaughter, whom he still thinks of as his own daughter, even though they are now married.
Banderas loves his friendship with Griffith and their mixed-race family, even though he is no longer with the actor.
He is said to have told Vulture, “I remember those years as very bubbly and really beautiful.”
Even though Melanie and I aren’t married anymore, she is still a part of my family. She is probably my best friend, if not my very best friend. I’m with Alexander, Dakota, and little Estella.”
Since his split from Griffith, Banderas and Nicole Kimpel have been happy together. This shows that love has no limits and can get past problems and expectations.
In May of 2022, the couple marked their eighth wedding anniversary. Banderas wrote on Instagram that they are “enjoying every second of it.”
In 2015, the actor told Toronto.com that he and Kimpel had no plans to get married or have children because he needs the comfort that their relationship gives him.
