We’ve been hearing plenty of stories lately about how Melanie Griffith’s husband of 16 years, Antonio Banderas, has been stepping out on her. I honestly didn’t want to believe them at first because Antonio has been so sweet to Melanie and their daughter, Stella, 11, over the years. I still remember how he gushed about Melanie to Hello! Magazine, and how he defended her when she went to rehab. All that may be ancient history when it comes to their relationship. According to The Enquirer, Antonio’s cheating is taking a predictable toll and they’re on the brink of divorce. Their estimated net worth is $50 million, with Antonio’s career of course the hotter of the two, especially as of late.
The tension between Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith is nearing a crisis point over fears that he’s cheating – and pals say the Hollywood power couple is now on the bring of a $50 million divorce!
And while Melanie was the bigger star when the A-listers married 16 years ago, sources say Antonio could walk away with half their fortune and wind up ahead because his earning power has soared while Melanie’s has plummeted.
“There’s a lot of money at stake,” a family friend told The Enquirer. “Melanie’s a mess. Not only is in jeopardy of losing the love of her life, but her career is in the toilet while Antonio’s star is continuing to rise…
“I think Melanie’s self esteem hit an all time low and she believed Antonio was torturing her [by openly flirting with other women],” the friend continued. “For years, it as if she’s been consumed with jealousy over his flirting and outspoken love for beautiful women.
“I don’t think Melanie can live with the constant fear that he might cheat…
“Melanie’s a dirty divorce veteran,” said the source. “But a split from Antonio could very well be the nastiest. There’s a lot of money at stake – and a lot of emotion.”
[From The National Enquirer, print edition, June 25, 2012]
Melanie seems crazy about Antonio. (I think it’s the big “Antonio” tattoo that convinces me, although tattoos often last much longer than marriages. She also hangs all over him in photo ops.) I’m still hoping that it’s not true that Antonio has been cheating and/or they can patch it up and work things out. They just seem suited for each other, and like they were pulling for each other. Damn. It’s sad for me to consider that they might be kaput. I don’t know why I like them so much together, but it may have something to do with Melanie’s obvious fragility, and how Antonio came across like he was protective and loving of her. He really opened up a lot to the press about their relationship, and that’s rare. He may have been full of crap, or things may have changed quit a bit for them since.
In other news about these two, they just donated over $100,000 to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, along with gifting needed medical equipment to the facility. I found this story after I wrote all that about worrying about them, so maybe they’re fine. They have also spent time at the hospital volunteering together as a family with their daughter, Stella, and recently hosted a party at their home to honor other benefactors. So that’s a good sign and such a nice way to give back to the community. This story gives me hope for them.
Melanie is shown on 6-7-12 at an event honoring Shirley Maclaine. Antonio is shown at Formula One in Monaco on 5-27 and in Cannes on 5-24. He’s shown with Melanie on 1-5-12 and at the Oscars on 2-26-12
I thought they divorced years ago?
No, but her career ended YEARS ago.
I truly hope not, but if he divorces her, she seems like she would kill herself.
Exactly what I was thinking, I think Antonio was very much in love with her for most of thier marriage but there sometimes comes a point when the needy self destructive behaviour just becomes too much. I’ve had the feeling for a few years now that he might just be staying around because he is afraid of what Melanie would do to herself if he ever left and there is also the young daughter to think about.
I know This woman does NOT have a heart tattooed with Antonio’s name on their arm.
she should have tatted her face instead.
FYI, she got it when Antonio was filming with La Jolie, and at that time, Ange had that big tattoo on her arm too for Billy Bob. No kidding, I may have been younger, but I remember the rumors back then, and Ange had her man-eater rep. So women were kind of afraid of letting their men film with her… Now she is Saint Angie. Times change, people change.
really eh? what a piece of work!
When did they become a Hollywood “power couple”
maybe the story is false. He just looks exhausted taking care of her for so long.
It could be true. Like the article said Antonio came across like he was protective of Melanie’s fragility. I’m sure there are times that he feels exhausted. I hope they can still patch things up.
I agree with you in the fact that, 16 years ago it was cute and made him feel all manly to take care of her, reassure her, promise her he loves her, support her when she needed him.
But 16 years later, it may not be cute anymore having your old lady with her soft, little girl voice asking you if you cheated. For the millionth time.
Melanie should start working on her self-esteem. I understand her childhood was broken (she is in someway connected to the child-star abuse stories, via her father, married also when she was very-very young), but come on lady, earn your backbone. It’s never too late.
I know it’s a mean thing to say but I always thought he chose her for her connections in the line of work he’d chosen for himself.
I’m amazed he hasn’t left her sooner!
She’s a mess.
I don’t think he chose her for her connections, he went to one of the most respected serious actors in Europe , favorite actor of Pedro Almodivor(Javier Bardem was a joke compared to him at that time) to shooting movies like the “mask of zorro” just so he can e with her, I think there relationship was founded on a great love, few men will do that for a woman!
and if he would wanted connections he would have chose way more connected than melanie griffith I think;
Whle I agree with you that he didn’t choose Melanie for her connections, I don’t think it was some great love affair – hell – he was married to someone else at the time, hardly romantic. And color me unsurprised about the cheating, he cheated to get Melanie, and he will continue to do so. I couldn’t care less if they get divorced. When you cheat to get a man, you get a man who cheats.
And let me guess it will come out he’s cheating on her with someone who’s half her age….
I never understood these two. He was clean, sober and was on fire as an actor when they met.
She was haggard, cracked out, and on her way down in Hollywood.
His relationship with her destroyed his career, IMO.
He needs to get out while there’s still a chance at getting back in the game.
agreed. pairing up with her really cooled off his hot career.
how can he not be burnt out from being married so long to an emotional wreck with endless addiction issues. i would be.
they seem more codependent than anything.
I agree too!
Plus she has just messed up her face sooo much, she doesn’t even look like the same person he married.
yo, i think she actually looks good compared to years prior, tho…. her mouth/lips are far improved. it’s ok for her to show some age. i really think she looks pretty put together in these pics (she’s not young, you know).
Wow. Banderas has seen better days. His heartthrob days are behind him.
LOL!! exactly!! he is himself a mess, he aged a lot and not well!
LOVE that they donated money and medical equipment to Children’s Hospital. That is just…SO COOL.
Some couples you just root for…they’re one of them.
Who are creating this stupid stories???
His career is still on the rise??? really he went in 15 years from being Pedro Almodovar’s top actor to..well, puss in boots! How is that a rise???
I think he si more like struggling to still earn something than anything else!
and besides, in what world a 51 years old man is a hearttrob???
he is not years but decades ago from his hearttrob days!
In what world? This one. Clooney. Pitt.
Yes…10 years ago, nowadays neither is even quite close to be described that way (one is desrcibed as an ageing bachelor and the other one as a still quite attractive father…. far from red hot!)
hearttrob is more attached in the press to the likes of Chris Hemsworth, David Gandy, well men in their prime…
PS: when someone is defined as STILL looking good(case of brad pitt and clooney) that means that your “hot” days are way over… hence the very telling “Still”
Real hearttrob as David Gandy as decribed as just hot… means in current time.
I agree. If he did cheat, I hope they can repair their relationship. I like that they do the talk and walk by donations and volunteering.
they both look ROUGH.
The old saying is you can never be too rich or too thin but I beg to differ on the later. She is a smoker and sun worshipper and skinny – the combination ages one…always…but it usually isn’t until the late forties when you see the effect. Please young ladies, put away the Camels, stay out of the sun and don’t try to be too thin.
Yep, rough is right, at least in those last photos yeesh…Lindsay take note, this is you in a few years.
They look so sweet in that first shot though, i hope they make it. Bodies are not eternal, he’s aging, too, i hope he won’t follow the light blue brick road.
I always loved them as a couple as well, CB, and wish them all the best. I think they did (and hopefully still do) have a real love and partnership going on that is pretty rare to see.
I would hit it hard!
don’t cheat.
When I heard her speak recently on ET at the Shirley Maclaine tribute, in her little-girl-not-too-bright-sounding voice, it made me feel sorry for her. She is so spacey and seems needy. She’s a lost soul and never recaptured acting success and will feel this deeply if true. I too thought at least she had him in his corner.
Hope he does leave her she is a mess and a desparate clinging vine. When you have kids you better get your it together. I have no respect for these celebs running in and out of rehab when they are raising children.
Well, what did she expect? He was still married to his first wife when she started her relationship with him.
If he will cheat WITH you, he will cheat ON you.
I like them together too. Spanish men traditionally cheat but some have enough class to not disparage the true woman in their lives. If he’s cheating, I believe it’s less out of trying to find true love than as a pressure valve. I don’t think he’d find another Melanie out there, just copies. She has to accept herself biologically and not think of love as solely on the physical level. I think his heart would be loyal. I know, I sounds apologist and not woman-friendly. Ultimately, I hope he can keep it zipped up. I don’t see him trading up and I don’t see him as the dominant figure in a relationship. He’s a family man.
Neither of them is looking too good (and I don’t think his career is all that hot anymore either). I picture her having a lot of issues and being a handful to live with. But I oddly hope they make it work – I thought they were a strange match to begin with and I’m surprised they’ve lasted this long, hopefully it’s all just rumors.
That’s really nice they donate money AND their time.
He looks like holy crap – always has in my opinion.
She starting to look like Pricilla Presley.
I hope they work it out – but yes – the little girl routine is tiresome if that’s the reason. Of course cheating has no excuse. Reminds me of the Ashton and Demi stupidity. Ugh.
i like them as a couple. her skin is so dry looking though…she needs to stop smoking and gain a couple of pounds..women who smoke as they get older all have that alligator skin. grow up and stop smoking…him too!
Geez, I thought I was looking at Jane Fonda in those two solo pictures.
I would run for the hills if I were him – long ago. She reeks of desperation & addiction & insecurity – I bet she is a CRAZYHOTMESS to deal with. & she married a latin-lover type guy – no surprise that he cheats – duh!!
He’s just so much prettier than her, it must be hard for both of them.
I guess I’m the only one on here that has always believed from day one that this man is gay and that they have an arraingement. No way in heck he is straight. I think he is genuinely tired of her issues and needyness though and I do believe they love eachother , but in a deep friendship way. I just could never ever buy he’s straight. Am I the only one????
you can see the strain on Antonio’s face. Some women do create a lot of torture and misery.
Mel’s been looking for someone to take care of her, daddy-style, since she was a kid & hooked up with Don Johnson. She was about 15 when she moved in with DJ.
Too bad – not admirable if any cheating goes on, but it’s very tough to be the constant emotional mainstay for someone as insecure & messed up as Mel. It’d make a lot of men walk, sooner than 16 years.
I really like them together. They seem very happy and a good match. Plus, they have a cute little daughter. I hope these rumors are wrong.
In the other two marriages, the baby came later on to try and save the marriages. With Antonio, she got pregnant then married. Needy people wear you down, they drain the life out of you. For most who stay, it is mostly for the child and tolerance becomes normal to them.
Of course this couple has ‘problems’. What couple doesnt? And they’ve been together for HOW many years? That sure does count for something. As for the women… well… he’s a hot latino. What else could anyone expect? Also, Melanie has a long history of insecurities– and suspecting Antonio of infidelity is one of them. BUT I do not believe he is cheating. Look at them in those pictures, dont they look thisclose to any of you?