If you’ve ever seen Antonio Banderas on a red carpet, you know the vibe. He’s got that effortless, old-school Spanish charisma that basically fills the room. But when the cameras stop flashing and he heads home, the guy isn't just the "Mask of Zorro" or the voice of Puss in Boots. He’s a dad. And honestly, the situation with antonio banderas children is way more interesting than the typical Hollywood tabloid fodder.
Most people think he has a whole squad of kids running around. You’d be surprised.
The Only Biological Daughter: Stella Banderas
Let’s clear this up right away. Antonio Banderas actually only has one biological child. Her name is Stella del Carmen Banderas Griffith, though she legally dropped the "Griffith" part of her last name back in 2021. Not because of some big family feud, mind you. She just wanted to shorten it. She’s the daughter he shares with Melanie Griffith, and she was born in Marbella, Spain, in 1996.
Stella is kinda the bridge between two worlds. She grew up between the glitz of Los Angeles and the deep traditions of Málaga. If you follow her on social media, you’ve probably noticed she isn’t really chasing the typical "nepo baby" acting career. Sure, she did a movie called Crazy in Alabama when she was a toddler (directed by her dad, obviously), but these days she’s more about being behind the scenes.
She studied Narrative Studies at USC. She’s a writer. She’s a model. She even launched a sustainable perfume brand called Lightbound. Basically, she’s carving out her own lane that doesn’t involve being "just" the daughter of two icons.
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"Stella is the apple of my eye," Antonio told HOLA! magazine in 2025. "Watching her grow up and now take such an important step fills me with pride."
That "important step" he’s talking about? Stella got married in late 2025 to her childhood sweetheart, Alex Gruszynski. It was a massive deal in Spain—a gorgeous ceremony that brought the whole blended family together. Antonio was reportedly the life of the party, which surprises absolutely no one.
The "Step" That Isn't a Step: Dakota Johnson and Alexander Bauer
This is where the antonio banderas children topic gets a little more nuanced. If you ask Antonio how many kids he has, he’ll probably mention Dakota Johnson and Alexander Bauer in the same breath as Stella.
Antonio married Melanie Griffith in 1996, and she already had two kids from her previous marriages. Dakota (daughter of Don Johnson) and Alexander (son of Steven Bauer) were just little kids when Antonio came into the picture. He didn't just play the role of "stepdad"—he really leaned into it.
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The kids even had a special nickname for him: Paponio. It’s a mix of "Papa" and "Antonio." How cute is that?
- Dakota Johnson: You definitely know her. Fifty Shades of Grey, Suspiria, Madame Web. She’s a superstar. But to Antonio, she’s the kid he helped raise for twenty years. When she presented him with a Hollywood Film Award in 2019, she called him one of the most influential people in her life. She was literally in tears.
- Alexander Bauer: He’s the most private of the bunch. Unlike his sisters, Alexander stays far away from the paparazzi. He’s worked as a grip on film sets, doing the heavy lifting behind the scenes. He and Antonio have always been close, often spotted at soccer matches or grabbing dinner in Los Angeles.
It’s rare to see a Hollywood divorce where the "step-parent" stays this involved. Antonio and Melanie split in 2015, but he never "divorced" the kids. He’s still a fixture at their birthdays and major life events.
Why the Banderas-Griffith Dynamic Actually Works
Hollywood is full of messy breakups. You’ve seen the headlines; they’re usually a nightmare. But the way this family handles things is actually a bit of a masterclass in co-parenting.
Honestly, it’s about respect. Antonio and Melanie spent nearly two decades together. Even after the romantic side fizzled out, they kept the family unit intact for the sake of Stella and the older kids. You’ll often see Melanie posting photos of Antonio on Instagram with captions calling him her "forever friend."
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They don't just "tolerate" each other for the kids. They actually seem to like each other.
This stability is probably why Stella turned out so grounded. Growing up as the child of two of the biggest stars on the planet could have gone sideways fast. Instead, she’s focused on environmental activism and her business. She’s not falling out of clubs in West Hollywood; she’s directing documentaries about the impact of fast fashion in the Atacama Desert.
What You Should Know Moving Forward
If you're keeping tabs on the Banderas clan, here’s the reality of the situation as we head deeper into 2026:
- Check the Names: Don't get confused by the name change. Stella is still Stella Banderas. She just streamlined her legal documents.
- Follow the Work: If you want to see what the next generation is doing, look at Stella’s brand Lightbound or Dakota’s production company, TeaTime Pictures. They are both moving into the "boss" phase of their careers.
- The Málaga Connection: Antonio has spent a lot of time lately in his hometown of Málaga, running his theatre, Teatro del Soho. Stella has actually worked there as an assistant director. If you want to see them in their natural habitat, that’s the place to be.
The biggest takeaway here is that family isn't always just about DNA. Antonio Banderas has one biological daughter, but he has three kids in his heart. In a town like Hollywood, that kind of loyalty is rarer than an Oscar.
If you’re interested in celebrity families that actually get along, you might want to look into how other blended families like the Moore-Willis clan or the Kravitz-Bonet crew handle their dynamics. It’s a fascinating shift in how modern fame and fatherhood intersect.