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People of Andalucia

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Starlite Gala Marbella 2011

By Brenda Padilla

American actress Melanie Griffith was well known in Spain for her acting career long before 1996. But as a star, she shot through the Spanish stratosphere that year when she married the Andalusian-born actor Antonio Banderas . The two met during the filming of the movie Two Much, when it was – as Melanie is quoted as saying – love at first sight.

Spaniards hung on to the edge of their seats during the fiery romance that lead to this high profile marriage in 1996, and then to the birth of Antonio Banderas’ first child, Stella del Carmen. She was Melanie’s third child and much to the satisfaction (and credit) of the Andalusian Regional Health system (SAS), the baby was born in Marbella’s Costa del Sol Hospital, with mother and baby heading straight to their Marbella beach home afterwards where a private nurse from the USA was awaiting to nurture them through the postpartum period.
While references to Antonio Banderas’ first wife, Ana Leza, did make their way into the Spanish “pink” press (including at least one bitter interview with the ex) during the early years of their romance and marriage, in no time Melanie Griffith had won the hearts of the Spanish people, who love to see her by her husband’s side. Her attempts to learn Spanish and willingness to share a few words with the press have always been much admired and appreciated by everyone.

Melanie and Antonio continue to enjoy their home in Marbella on the Costa del Sol whenever they are not working on films. They both make a special effort to come to Málaga every year for the annual Holy Week processions, which Antonio faithfully participates in and Melanie traditionally attends with his family.

Melanie’s first two children are U.S citizens born of her relationships first with husband Steven Bauer and then a remarriage to her previous husband Don Johnson. Her daughter with Antonio has dual Spanish/US nationality and the couple is working hard to give her the best of both cultures. Stella del Carmen is bilingual with her father stressing that he wants to ensure she is clearly Spanish, but that she also takes pride in her Anglo-Saxon heritage.

Melanie and her family will surely continue to captivate the hearts of the Spanish people for the rest of their lives. Regardless of the path this actress takes in the future, she can rest assured that Spanish journalists and photographers will be on her case for the rest of her days as the public here on the Iberian Peninsula will always look forward to news about how she’s doing and what she’s working on.

And, while in the early days, Melanie did express concern about the intense pressure of media attention in Spain, she seems to have settled in and found her place in this society. She may never be able to come and go as she pleases on the Costa del Sol, but she can be sure her fans in this part of the world only mean well and will always adore her.

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