Antonio Banderas is over the moon for his daughter Stella’s engagement.
The Mask of Zorro star, 64 — who recently looked dapper in Venice, Italy — opened up on Sunday about how ‘great’ he feels about his 27-year-old daughter getting asked for her hand in marriage by her childhood sweetheart.
‘I feel great! She’s happy, I’m happy,’ he told People.
And the actor is proud to call her fiancé, Alex Gruszynski, his son in law when the time comes.
‘He’s awesome. I’ve known him since he was a little kid,’ he said of the entrepreneur.
Antonio Banderas opened up about how ‘great’ he feels about his 27-year-old daughter getting asked for her hand in marriage by her childhood sweetheart, on Sunday
Stella shared the news that she has accepted a proposal from her longtime boyfriend on August 20.
And the 27-year-old Los Angeles native also posted several photos from her past with Alex, even seen in grade school with her childhood beau.
They were only small children when they first bonded, the Instagram photos showed.
Stella — whose grandmother is Tippi Hedren from the movie The Birds — also held up her left hand to show off her diamond engagement ring from Alex.
‘I get to hang out with my favorite person on earth forever!!!!!!!!’ wrote Stella in her caption as her mother Melanie added in the comments section: ‘I love you both sooooo much!! Congratulations again!!! ♥️♥️♥️♥️’
Melanie also shared the news on Instagram as a proud mother
Stella Banderas is engaged to her childhood sweetheart, it was shared late August. She also held up her left hand to show off her diamond engagement ring from Alex
Antonio and Melanie frequently reunite to support their daughter; seen in March 2023
The daughter of Melanie Griffith and Antonio Banderas shared the news that she has accepted a proposal from Alex Gruszynski (pictured in 2012)
Alex is not in the movie business like Stella’s parents. He is the founder of NOVA Community, which is ‘for creatives and those who hire them.’
On Tuesday, mom Melanie took to Instagram to share photos from the proposal as she said, ‘He asked…. On bended knee… she said yes ♥️ Stella and Alex are engaged to be married ♥️ Their love story began in pre-school! True love, deep love! Congratulations to the beloveds!!! ♥️♥️♥️.’
Melanie and Antonio first began their relationship in 1996 during filming of their movie Two Much.
Melanie would go on to star in her husband’s 1999 directorial debut Crazy In Alabama, which also featured Stella’s first on-screen role.
She filed for divorce from Antonio in June 2014 after 18 years of marriage.
Melanie’s youngest child is the half-sister of Alexander Bauer and Dakota Johnson, from her marriages to Steven Bauer and Don Johnson, respectively.
Although the former couple divorced six years ago, they have remained close and Antonio, 61, says Melanie will always be part of his life because they shared so many ‘wonderful years’ and have their ‘wonderful daughter’ Stella together.
Speaking on TV show ‘El Break de las 7’, he said: ‘I think we are both reluctant to bury 20 years of marriage. We are human beings, we make mistakes and that is the human condition. You have to leave the egos aside and not want to prove that you are right or find who’s guilty of what. Because it may be both or neither of you. There is a moment when things are over and you have to accept it.’
And the 27-year-old Los Angeles native also shared several photos from her past with Alex, even seen in grade school with her childhood beau
They were only small children when they first bonded, the Instagram photos showed. Stella also held up her left hand to show off her diamond engagement ring from Alex
‘I get to hang out with my favorite person on earth forever!!!!!!!!’ wrote Stella in her caption
Her mother Melanie added in the comments section: ‘I love you both sooooo much!! Congratulations again!!! ♥️♥️♥️♥️’
The two are also seen partying in their youth with pals
Here they are seen kissing in more recent years
‘The life I had with Melanie was beautiful. We had 20 wonderful years during which we gave our best and lived wonderful moments that I will not forget. We had a wonderful daughter that we both love and that is the end result of our relationship, the most beautiful thing we have ever done together,’ he added.
In 2021, Stella filed to remove ‘Griffith’ from her name, according to legal documents, obtained by The Blast.
The actress wants to ‘shorten’ her name to Stella Del Carmen Banderas ‘by removing the extra last name.’
‘I typically do not use “Griffith” when referring to myself or on documents,’ she explained in paperwork of her reasoning behind the request.
She added, ‘So, dropping the name would match my regular use.’
The dual-citizen of Spain and the United States was largely raised out of the spotlight, but recently attended the 69th San Sebastian International Film Festival at the Kursaal Palace with her father last month.
Stella’s choice does not seem to have anything to do with her relationship with her mother, who recently received a sweet birthday gift from both her girls.
The Night Moves star shared an image from her dining room that was filled with gold balloons that spelled out, ‘Mama.’
‘I love my daughters ♥️,’ Melanie captioned the photo of her early birthday celebration.
With mom, left, in 2017, and with dad, right, in 2021
Griffith and daughter Stella seen together in 2016
Alexander Bauer, Stella Banderas, Antonio, Dakota Johnson, and Melanie pictured way back in 1998
Melanie has kept busy in recent years, with a recurring role on the rebooted Hawaii Five-0 and small parts in The Pirates Of Somalia and the Oscar-nominated Disaster Artist.
The Something Wild star’s family have also been enjoying a booming few years.
Her daughter Dakota appeared in the cosmic horror film Wounds earlier in 2019, followed by the heartwarming drama The Peanut Butter Falcon opposite Shia LaBeouf and Bruce Dern.
Her two-time ex Don appeared in the critically acclaimed and financially successful mystery thriller Knives Out, as well as the first season of HBO’s hit series Watchmen.
Antonio also received some of the best reviews of his career in Pedro Almodóvar’s autumnal Pain And Glory.
Last year Antonio said he still speaks to his ex-wife Melanie all the time and says she will always be part of his ‘family.’
Here Stella is seen with Dakota, Melanie and Tippi Hedren in 2015