Antonio Banderas’ daughter is Stella del Carmen Banderas, his only biological child with actress Melanie Griffith. Born in Marbella, Spain, in 1996, Stella grew up between Spain and Los Angeles and has pursued creative work of her own. She is also known for her close relationship with her famous parents and her 2025 marriage to Alex Gruszynski.
For many fans, Stella is familiar because of her famous Hollywood family. Her father is Spanish actor Antonio Banderas, while her mother is American actress Melanie Griffith. However, Stella has gradually established an identity separate from her parents, exploring acting, modelling, entrepreneurship and fragrance.
Her family story has also remained unusually close despite her parents’ divorce. Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith have continued to support Stella, and in 2026 they have again been seen sharing family moments together.
Antonio Banderas Daughter: Who Is Stella Banderas?
Antonio Banderas’ daughter Stella Banderas was born on 24 September 1996 in Marbella, Spain, to Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith. She is the couple’s only child together and grew up with strong connections to both Spanish and American culture. PEOPLE reports that Stella speaks both English and Spanish and was raised largely in Los Angeles after being born in Spain.
Her parents married in 1996 and remained together for almost two decades before separating and ultimately divorcing in 2015. Their relationship changed, but their family connection did not disappear. Antonio has repeatedly spoken warmly about Melanie and his children, while both parents have continued to celebrate Stella’s milestones.
Stella also grew up as part of a large blended family. Through her mother, she is connected to Dakota Johnson and Alexander Bauer, as well as Jesse Johnson through Melanie’s previous relationship. Antonio has described the wider family as an important part of his life, and Dakota has spoken publicly about the strong bond she developed with her former stepfather.
Quick Facts About Stella Banderas
| Fact | Details |
| Full name | Stella del Carmen Banderas |
| Born | 24 September 1996 |
| Birthplace | Marbella, Spain |
| Father | Antonio Banderas |
| Mother | Melanie Griffith |
| Nationality/background | Spanish-American upbringing |
| Half-sister | Dakota Johnson |
| Career | Actress, model and entrepreneur |
| Business | Lightbound fragrance venture |
| Husband | Alex Gruszynski |
| Wedding | October 2025, Spain |
| Known for | Creative work and famous Hollywood family |
Stella Banderas’ Parents and Famous Family
Stella Banderas’ parents are Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith, two established actors whose careers made her childhood unusually connected to Hollywood. Antonio became internationally recognised through films including The Mask of Zorro, Desperado and Pain and Glory, while Griffith became a major star through films such as Working Girl.
Despite their eventual divorce, the two actors have maintained a notably respectful relationship. In 2026, Antonio described Griffith as one of his best friends and continued to speak positively about the family they created together. Their ability to remain close has helped Stella maintain relationships with both parents without being defined solely by their past marriage.
Stella’s family connections extend beyond her parents. Her half-sister Dakota Johnson is an established actress, while her maternal grandmother is legendary actress Tippi Hedren. This means Stella grew up surrounded by several generations of people connected to the entertainment industry.
However, she has not simply followed the most obvious Hollywood route. Her professional interests have included creative entrepreneurship and fragrance, giving her a different path from the acting careers of her parents and sister.
Stella Banderas’ Career and Creative Work
Stella Banderas’ career has included acting, modelling and entrepreneurship, although she has generally maintained a lower public profile than her father, mother and half-sister. As a child, she appeared alongside members of her family in the 1999 film Crazy in Alabama, which was directed by Antonio Banderas and starred Melanie Griffith.
She later explored creative work outside mainstream acting. In 2021, Stella launched Lightbound, a fragrance venture inspired by her experiences growing up between Málaga and Los Angeles. Industry publication Perfumer & Flavorist reported that the line was designed around handcrafted fragrances and a connection to memories, nature and personal experience.
The fragrance project reflected Stella’s interest in creating something independently rather than relying entirely on her family name. Her approach to scent was also influenced by her mother. In a Vogue interview reported by PEOPLE, Stella discussed how observing Melanie’s relationship with scent and personal rituals helped inspire her own interest in fragrance.
Her career therefore sits somewhere between Hollywood heritage and independent creative entrepreneurship. While acting remains part of her background, business and lifestyle interests have allowed Stella to develop a public identity that is distinct from her parents.
Why Did Stella Banderas Drop the Griffith Surname?
Stella Banderas legally changed her name to Stella del Carmen Banderas in 2021, removing Griffith from her legal surname. The decision was not presented as a rejection of her mother or their relationship. Court documents indicated that Stella generally did not use Griffith when referring to herself or on documents, so the change brought her legal name into line with how she already identified herself professionally and personally.
This distinction is important because Stella has continued to demonstrate a close relationship with Melanie Griffith. The surname change was therefore a practical personal decision rather than evidence of a family dispute.
Her decision also reflects a broader point about her public identity. Although being Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith’s daughter brings considerable attention, Stella has increasingly used her own name and creative work to establish an independent identity.
Stella Banderas and Alex Gruszynski
Stella Banderas and Alex Gruszynski have one of the more unusual celebrity relationship stories because their connection began in childhood. The pair met as classmates at preschool in Los Angeles and remained connected over the years before eventually becoming a couple. They announced their engagement in August 2024.
Melanie Griffith celebrated the engagement publicly, highlighting the fact that their relationship had roots dating back to preschool. Antonio also expressed his happiness and said he had known Gruszynski since he was a child.
Their long history made the relationship especially meaningful to Stella’s family. Rather than being a high-profile Hollywood romance that suddenly appeared in the public eye, it developed over many years.
This long-standing connection also helped explain why Antonio appeared so comfortable welcoming Gruszynski into the family. By the time of the wedding, he was already someone Antonio had known for much of his life.
When Did Antonio Banderas’ Daughter Get Married?
Antonio Banderas daughter Stella married Alex Gruszynski on 18 October 2025 in Spain. The wedding was especially significant because Stella wanted to celebrate her Spanish heritage and her connection to her father’s home country. She was born in Marbella and has spoken about feeling strongly connected to Spain despite growing up in Los Angeles.
Antonio was visibly emotional about becoming the father of the bride. PEOPLE reported that he described the wedding as an emotional and joyful family reunion, reflecting not only Stella’s marriage but also the gathering of relatives and loved ones.
Both Antonio and Melanie attended the wedding, reinforcing the close family relationship they have maintained after their divorce. Melanie also celebrated the marriage publicly, while Antonio shared photographs and memories of Stella over the years.
The wedding therefore became more than a celebrity event. For Stella, it represented a connection between her Spanish birthplace, her American upbringing and the two sides of her family.
Stella Banderas’ Relationship With Antonio Banderas
Stella has a particularly close relationship with her father, Antonio Banderas. He has regularly celebrated her birthdays and important milestones publicly, and his comments about her wedding showed how emotionally important she remains to him.
Antonio’s relationship with Stella has also been shaped by their shared connection to Spain. Although she spent much of her childhood in Los Angeles, he has emphasised her Andalusian roots and his pride in seeing her reconnect with Spain.
In 2026, Antonio continued to share family moments involving Stella. In April, he posted a rare photograph featuring Stella, Alex Gruszynski and Melanie Griffith together in Los Angeles. He described Melanie as a lifelong friend, demonstrating how closely the family remains connected years after the divorce.
For Stella, this family dynamic provides a striking contrast to the usual narrative surrounding celebrity divorces. Her parents’ marriage ended, but their commitment to remaining a family continued.
Stella Banderas Today in 2026
Stella Banderas is now an adult with a life that extends well beyond her identity as Antonio Banderas’ daughter. She is married to Alex Gruszynski, has pursued creative and entrepreneurial projects, and continues to maintain strong relationships with her parents and wider family.
Her public profile remains relatively modest compared with Antonio Banderas, Melanie Griffith and Dakota Johnson. That appears to suit the direction of her life, which has combined creative interests with a preference for keeping much of her personal world private.
Her 2025 wedding brought renewed attention, while Antonio’s 2026 family photographs showed that Stella remains an important part of the family’s public and private story.
What makes Stella particularly interesting is the balance between heritage and independence. She was born into one of Hollywood’s best-known families, yet her career choices have allowed her to develop an identity that is not simply an extension of her parents.
Conclusion
Antonio Banderas’ daughter, Stella del Carmen Banderas, has built a distinctive life shaped by Spanish heritage, Hollywood family connections and her own creative ambitions. Born in Marbella in 1996, she grew up between Spain and Los Angeles, explored acting and modelling, launched a fragrance venture and married childhood sweetheart Alex Gruszynski in Spain in October 2025.
Her story is also notable because of her family’s continued closeness. Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith have remained supportive parents despite their divorce, while Stella has maintained strong relationships with her wider blended family. In 2026, that bond remains visible in their occasional family appearances and shared celebrations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Antonio Banderas’ daughter?
Antonio Banderas’ daughter is Stella del Carmen Banderas, whom he shares with actress Melanie Griffith.
How old is Stella Banderas in 2026?
Stella Banderas was born on 24 September 1996, making her 29 years old in August 2026.
Who is Stella Banderas’ mother?
Her mother is American actress Melanie Griffith, who was married to Antonio Banderas from 1996 until their divorce was finalised in 2015.
Does Antonio Banderas have more than one biological child?
No. Stella is Antonio Banderas’ only biological child. He was also an important parental figure to Melanie Griffith’s children from previous relationships, including Dakota Johnson.
Is Stella Banderas married?
Yes. Stella married Alex Gruszynski on 18 October 2025 in Spain.
Who is Stella Banderas’ husband?
Her husband is Alex Gruszynski. The couple first met as preschool classmates in Los Angeles and later became romantically involved.
Is Stella Banderas related to Dakota Johnson?
Yes. Dakota Johnson is Stella’s maternal half-sister. Dakota is Melanie Griffith’s daughter with actor Don Johnson.
What does Stella Banderas do for a living?
Stella has worked in acting and modelling and has also pursued entrepreneurship. She launched the fragrance venture Lightbound in 2021.
Why did Stella Banderas remove Griffith from her name?
In 2021, Stella legally changed her name to Stella del Carmen Banderas because she generally did not use Griffith in everyday or professional documentation.
Where was Stella Banderas’ wedding held?
Stella and Alex Gruszynski married in Spain in October 2025. The location had personal significance because Stella was born in Spain and has a strong connection to her father’s Andalusian heritage.
Updated Report: August 2026
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