Melanie Griffith, 56, and Antonio Banderas, 53, are getting a divorce after 18 years of marriage. They share a child together, Stella Banderas, who is now 17 years old.
Reports say that the couple had relationship issues for a long time. According to a source, “They used to be so affectionate with each other, but more recently they’ve been drifting apart.”
Griffith hired Laura Wasser as her attorney and cited irreconcilable differences as the cause of the divorce. “We have thoughtfully and consensually decided to finalize our almost 20 years marriage in a loving and friendly manner honoring and respecting each other, our family and friends and the beautiful time we have spent together,” Banderas and Griffith said through their publicist.
Melanie Griffith filed for divorce from Antonio Banderas after HOW MANY years?? http://t.co/e1xqM45JhK pic.twitter.com/4exucafcA2
— TMZ (@TMZ) June 9, 2014
Griffith is seeking child support, spousal support, and joint legal and sole physical custody of their daughter Stella.
Griffith and Banderas have been through a lot together. Griffith was admitted to rehab thrice for alcohol and drug addiction, and she also underwent surgery for skin cancer.
On Saturday, Griffith was seen in public for the first time after filing for divorce. She was driving a black Bentley in Malibu, and she looked a bit pensive and worn out. Reports also said that a bouquet of pink flowers was delivered to her home.
One of my roses!!! Happy Sunday! pic.twitter.com/OVmmA0k6Dm
— Melanie Griffith (@MelanieGriffith) May 18, 2014
A close friend of Griffith’s said that there were no clues that she was planning to file for divorce when she attended the AFI Life Achievement Award gala on Thursday. “They’ve been down this road before but I never though it would actually happen,” the friend said.
When Griffith attended the gala, she was holding Eva Longoria’s hand and was still wearing her wedding band.
This is Griffith’s fourth divorce. She was married twice to actor and recording artist Don Johnson, and was also married to actor Steve Bauer. It is the second divorce for Banderas.
Image via YouTube