Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith are Ending their Marriage
Oladunjoye Opeyemi
Hollywood power couple, Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith announced the end of their 18-year marriage on Friday, saying they have agreed to divorce “in a loving and friendly manner.”
The pair, who dismissed rumours of marital strains two years ago, said they were happy for the “beautiful time” they had spent together: “We have thoughtfully and consensually decided to finalise our almost 20 years [of] marriage,” the Spanish and US actors said in a joint statement.
The decision was taken “in a loving and friendly manner honouring and respecting each other, our family and friends and the beautiful time we have spent together,” added the statement, signed ‘Melanie & Antonio’.
Griffith filed for divorce in Los Angeles citing “irreconcilable differences”. It is the second divorce for Banderas, and a fourth for Griffith.
56-year-old Griffith is seeking sole physical custody and joint legal custody of the couple’s 17-year-old daughter Stella , with visiting rights for Banderas.
The couple were last photographed together in March at Los Angeles airport.
