12 years after split, Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith spark reunion buzz after cozy LA dinner

More than a decade after their split, Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith are once again making headlines—this time for a warm, public reunion. The former couple was recently spotted leaving dinner together in Los Angeles, looking relaxed and comfortable in each other’s company. Their appearance has quickly fueled curiosity about their enduring bond.


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Why did their dinner outing grab attention?

The pair were seen walking arm-in-arm after dining out, instantly catching attention. Their daughter, Stella Banderas, followed closely behind, making it a quiet family moment rather than a formal reunion.


Banderas kept things casual in black trousers, a silver bomber jacket, and black clogs, carrying a baseball cap. Griffith, meanwhile, wore blue jeans, a black moto jacket, and distinctive fingerless lace gloves. Stella matched the effortless tone with white wide-leg pants and an ivory coat, as per a report by the Daily Mail.

How did their relationship begin and evolve?

Their story goes back decades. The two first connected while filming the 1995 romantic comedy Two Much. They married in May 1996 and welcomed Stella later that same year.

At the time of their separation in June 2014, they released a joint statement that read, “We have thoughtfully and consensually decided to finalize our almost twenty-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."

Their divorce was finalized in December 2015, bringing an end to an 18-year marriage that had been one of Hollywood’s most recognized partnerships.


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What have they said about each other since the divorce?

Despite the split, both have consistently described their relationship in positive terms. In a 2019 interview with Vulture, Banderas made it clear where things stand.

“I am not married with Melanie anymore, but she is my family," he said. "She is probably one of my best friends, if not the best friend that I have. My family is there, Dakota, Little Estella and Alexander."

He also once recalled seeing Griffith for the first time at the 1989 Oscars while attending with Pedro Almodóvar. “The first time I went to the Academy Awards after we got a nomination for Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, we got on the red carpet and I saw this blonde woman and I knew her because I saw movies of her, but I didn't remember [her name] at the time."

'So, I said to Pedro Almodóvar, "Who is she? Who is she? What is her name?" Pedro said, "That's Melanie Griffith!" I said, "That's it. Oh my God." Six years later, I was married to her.'”


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What about their family life today?

Griffith’s family extends beyond her marriage to Banderas. She shares daughter Dakota Johnson with former husband Don Johnson, and son Alexander with Steven Bauer. She is also stepmother to Jesse Johnson.
During her marriage to Banderas, Griffith famously tattooed his name inside a heart on her arm. After their separation, she began removing it, later replacing it with the names of her children, as per a report by the Daily Mail.

Their latest outing may not signal a romantic reunion, but it does highlight something just as rare in Hollywood—an enduring friendship built on shared history, family, and mutual respect.


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FAQs

Are Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith back together?
No, they remain divorced but continue to share a close bond.

Do they have children together?
Yes, they share one daughter, Stella Banderas.