Antonio Banderas has learned to value and celebrate every moment of his intense life. At 66, which he turns on August 10, one of our most international actors has a lot to be grateful for. About to premiere his new film, Tony, in which he plays a chef who marks the youth of the late Anthony Bourdain, he enjoys the success of his beloved Teatro del Soho CaixaBank in Málaga, where he produces plays and musicals, and his solid romantic relationship with the German Nicole Kimpel, with whom he began dating after separating from Melanie Griffith.
The actor, director and producer blows out the 66 candles on his cake with another thrilling project in mind: his spectacular new mansion in Marbella. But he also carries with him the very present memory of the big health scare that almost cost him dearly nine years ago. A heart attack that, however, he now describes as “the best thing that has happened to me in life.”
In 2017, Antonio Banderas was at his house in Surrey, England, when he began to feel chest pains. Nicole Kimpel quickly gave him an aspirin before the ambulance arrived and he was transported to the hospital, where he underwent an emergency surgical procedure during which doctors placed three stents in his arteries. That heart attack motivated the Málaga-born actor to make some important changes, from quitting smoking to returning to his hometown.
“You always have in mind that you’re going to die,” Banderas confessed in a recent interview with People magazine. “But when it’s so close, it’s an incredibly clear reminder of how stupid it is to waste time on things that don’t deserve to be in your life. My heart attack was the best thing that has happened to me in life. It was as if someone had put glasses on me so I could see the reality I couldn’t see before.”
Antonio Banderas and His Desire to Have Grandchildren
As is traditional, Antonio Banderas celebrated his anniversary at the Starlite Occident Gala in Marbella, of which he has been one of the hosts. Plácido Domingo was in charge of singing him the Happy Birthday to the actor. With the audience on their feet to congratulate him, the Málaga-born star could not hide his satisfaction, though in front of the media gathered there, he confessed that he still has one pending wish: to become a grandfather.
Antonio Banderas, with his daughter Stella del Carmen.
“I don’t tell her that because I don’t want to influence the decisions my daughter makes,” the actor said cautiously, regarding his daughter Stella del Carmen, who is now 29. Although he does not want to put pressure on the young woman in this matter —“I’ve never done it and I never will”— Antonio Banderas does not hide that would be very excited to have grandchildren someday. And he is crystal clear about what kind of grandfather he will be: “One magnificent one.”
For the moment, with no children in sight, Stella del Carmen Banderas married last autumn to American businessman Alex Gruszynski at the Valladolid-based Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine. It was a civil and intimate ceremony that brought together around 200 guests. The wedding stood out for its Gothic details, such as the bride’s bouquet of black calla lilies and the fact that the bridesmaids were dressed strictly in black, including her older sister, actress Dakota Johnson.
Joy at His Brother’s Triumph
To the affection of the people during his pre-birthday party at the Starlite Gala, Antonio Banderas joined the happiness for a moment of family triumph. His brother Javier Banderas won for the ninth time the King’s Cup of Sailing in the waters off Palma Bay, Mallorca, at the helm of the new XR-41 Teatro del Soho San Miguel.
“How great! Congratulations, brother! Congratulations, team!” was the message sent by an emotional Antonio Banderas to the members of the winning crew. The victory had an extra incentive since Javier Banderas’ boat surpassed in the final standings the Hispania, the Navy’s new sailing yacht that replaces the Aifos and that is skippered by King Felipe VI.
