People still ask about the wife of Antonio Banderas like it’s a trick question. It’s not. But it is complicated because Antonio Banderas isn’t technically married right now. He’s been in a long-term, high-profile relationship with Nicole Kimpel since 2014, shortly after his split from Melanie Griffith. If you’re looking for a wedding ring, you won't find one, but if you’re looking for the person who literally saved his life during a heart attack, that’s Nicole.
The public often gets stuck in the past. They remember the heat of the nineties. They remember the decade-long marriage to Ana Leza or the twenty-year saga with Melanie Griffith. It makes sense. Those were massive, culture-shifting relationships. But Kimpel is the one who has been by his side through the reinvention of his career, his move back to Spain, and his brush with mortality.
Who is Nicole Kimpel?
She isn't just "the girlfriend." Nicole Kimpel is a Dutch investment advisor and entrepreneur. She’s polyglot—fluent in five languages—and runs a luxury brand called Kimpel & Kimpel with her twin sister, Barbara. They do high-end clothing and accessories. It’s a far cry from the Hollywood acting circles Banderas usually ran in.
Maybe that’s why it works.
Honestly, the way they met sounds like a movie script, but without the messy overlap people expect. They met at the Cannes Film Festival. Antonio was still technically married to Melanie Griffith at the time, but they were already in the process of separating. Banderas has been very vocal about this; he told Nicole, basically, "I like you, but we can't do anything until my situation is clear." He waited. He respected the transition. That says a lot about the foundation of their relationship.
The Night She Saved Him
In 2017, Antonio Banderas had a heart attack. It changed everything. He describes it as one of the best things to happen to him because it stripped away the nonsense and showed him what mattered.
The story is wild.
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Nicole was there. She had bought some aspirin the day before because she had a headache. When Antonio started having symptoms, she realized what was happening and put a maximum strength aspirin under his tongue. Doctors later told him that specific action saved his life. You can't really top that for a "significant other" milestone. It’s not just about attending premieres in Malaga or London; it’s about basic survival.
Since then, they’ve lived a much quieter life. They spent a lot of time in a pre-fabricated house in Surrey, England, away from the prying eyes of Los Angeles. Antonio has often remarked that he prefers the "natural" vibe of the UK countryside or his home in Spain over the constant pressure of Hollywood.
The Melanie Griffith Factor
You can’t talk about the wife of Antonio Banderas without acknowledging the woman who held that title for two decades. Melanie Griffith and Antonio are the gold standard for "how to be exes."
They are genuinely friends.
They share a daughter, Stella Banderas, who is forging her own path in the industry. It’s not uncommon to see Melanie posting "Happy Birthday" messages to Antonio or Nicole being perfectly comfortable in that extended family dynamic. It’s refreshing. Usually, celebrity breakups are a scorched-earth policy, but here, it’s just a bigger family.
Why They Aren't Married
People are obsessed with the "why." Why haven't they tied the knot?
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Antonio has been married twice. He’s spent most of his adult life as a husband. For him and Nicole, the lack of a legal document doesn’t seem to diminish the commitment. Nicole has stated in interviews that she feels "married" in every way that counts. They share a life, a home, and a business vision. In the modern celeb world, a massive wedding is often just a PR stunt. They seem to prefer the stability of what they have without the paperwork.
A Career Reborn
Since Nicole became his partner, Banderas has had a massive creative surge. Think about Pain and Glory (Dolor y Gloria). He won Best Actor at Cannes and got an Oscar nomination for it. He opened his own theater in Malaga, the Teatro del Soho CaixaBank.
Nicole was the one who encouraged this shift.
Moving back to Spain was a huge deal. It was a return to roots. Banderas isn’t chasing the blockbuster "Zorro" checks anymore; he’s doing legacy work. He’s teaching, he’s directing, and he’s bringing Broadway-level musical theater to his hometown.
- Multilingual lifestyle: They jump between Spanish, English, and French constantly.
- Business focus: Nicole handles much of the logistical side of their joint ventures.
- Health first: Their lifestyle is now dictated by cardio and clean eating, a direct result of the 2017 scare.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that Nicole is just a socialite. If you look at her background in international investment, it’s clear she’s the one with the business brain. Antonio is the artist, the dreamer, the guy who wants to build theaters. Nicole is the one who understands the numbers.
They are a power couple in the European sense—discreet, wealthy, and focused on long-term stability rather than TikTok trends.
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Another thing? The age gap. There’s about a 20-year difference. In Hollywood, that’s a cliché. But after a decade together, the "gold digger" or "trophy girlfriend" labels have basically evaporated. You don't stay with someone through a heart attack and a massive move across the ocean just for the cameras.
Looking Forward
What’s next for the couple? Antonio is busier than ever. He’s involved in the Paddington in Peru project and continues to expand his theater empire. Nicole remains his primary support system. They are often spotted at the Starlite Gala in Marbella, which is a major philanthropic event they both champion.
If you are tracking the life of the wife of Antonio Banderas, you have to stop looking for a wedding dress. Look for the woman standing just to the left of him at the Malaga film festivals. She’s the one who turned a Hollywood legend into a Spanish theater mogul.
Key Takeaways for Fans
If you're following their journey, pay attention to their work in Malaga. That's where the real heart of their life is now.
- Check out the Teatro del Soho: This is Antonio's passion project, and Nicole is deeply involved in the community aspect of it.
- Follow the Kimpel sisters' brand: If you’re into fashion, Nicole’s work with her sister Barbara is actually quite sophisticated and worth a look.
- Watch "Pain and Glory": To understand the man Antonio has become with Nicole by his side, you have to watch this film. It is his most personal work, and the stability of his home life clearly allowed him to go that deep.
The reality is that Antonio Banderas found a partner who doesn't need his fame to define her. That's probably the secret to why they've lasted longer than many actual Hollywood marriages. They aren't trying to prove anything to the paparazzi. They’re just living. For Banderas, that's the ultimate win.