Antonio Banderas, now 65, is living proof that reinvention doesn’t require reinvention of the self — just a return to it. Nearly a decade after a near-fatal heart attack in 2017 forced him to reassess everything, the Málaga-born actor has settled into a chapter of life defined less by Hollywood glamour and more by purpose, family, and home.
Home Is Where the Heart Attack Was
After decades splitting time between the U.S. and U.K., Banderas made the decision to return permanently to Málaga, his birthplace, following his health scare. He explained to The Times that his heart attack served as “a really serious warning” that “changed the way I look at life,” a shift that eventually sparked a strong desire to return to his roots as a theatre actor. He sold his private jet and made lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking.
A Theatre, Not a Trophy
The centerpiece of his new life is Teatro del Soho CaixaBank, a not-for-profit theatre in Málaga that he describes as his great passion. Facing death made him look back and realize he is, in fact, a theatre actor, he has said, adding that he has “never been so happy.” Rather than chasing box office numbers, he’s poured his energy into revitalizing performing arts in his hometown.
Personal Life: Partner, Ex-Wife, and Family Ties
Banderas has been with Dutch businesswoman Nicole Kimpel since 2015, and the two live together in his hometown. He remains on notably warm terms with his ex-wife, actress Melanie Griffith (married 1996–2015) — the two are still close friends and were recently photographed together with their daughter, Stella Banderas. In one recent reunion, Banderas spent time with Stella and her husband, Alex Gruszynski. He’s also remained close with his stepdaughter Dakota Johnson over the years.
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Still Working — Just on His Own Terms
Despite stepping back from the Hollywood machine, Banderas hasn’t slowed down as an actor — he’s simply more selective and geographically flexible. He’s currently 65 and continuing to work regularly, recently starring in Babygirl. His 2026 slate is notably full: he stars in the shark-cartel thriller Above & Below (released July 29, 2026, filmed in Spain), plays a supporting role in the Anthony Bourdain biopic Tony, appears in the miniseries The Monster of Florence, and has joined the ensemble sports comedy Armadillo United alongside longtime friend Danny Trejo, as well as the supernatural thriller Unmerciful Good Fortune opposite Rosario Dawson and Susan Sarandon.
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Net Worth and Legacy
His estimated net worth in 2026 sits around $50 million — modest by old Hollywood-blockbuster standards, but a reflection of a career now guided by artistic fulfillment rather than star-vehicle paychecks.
The Bigger Picture
Banderas is a man who once symbolized Hollywood swagger (Zorro, Desperado) and now finds his greatest joy running a nonprofit theatre in his hometown, surrounded by family, an ex-wife turned friend, and a partner of a decade — while still saying yes to the right film roles when they come along.
