Very few Hollywood couples withstand the test of time, but Melanie Griffith and Antonio Banderas lasted 18 years before announcing their separation and divorce. The couple cited irreconcilable differences as the reason they decided to end their marriage, and claim that the decision was amicable.
Both Griffith and Banderas have successful acting careers and donate to numerous charities. Griffith has admitted to battling drug and alcohol problems, but after marrying Baderas in 1996, she began to clean up her act. During their marriage, the couple split their time between the United States and Spain, as did their children.
Griffith has been divorced three other times and Banderas has been divorced two other times. Together, they have a 17-year-old daughter named Stella, who Griffith is seeking custody of. Griffith hopes to keep physical custody of Stella and joint legal custody, she plans for Banderas to have visitation rights.
Both Griffith and Banderas also have other children from previous marriages, all of which are older than Stella.
Stella will turn 18 in September, so any custody arrangements or child support payments will not last long.
Although the couple seemed happy together, there were rumors that the marriage was headed for trouble just a few years ago. They dismissed the rumors until recently.
The couple released a joint statement about their decision to split and divorce saying,
“We have thoughtfully and consensually decided to finalize our almost twenty years (of) marriage.”
Melanie Griffith & Antonio Banderas are divorcing after 18 years of marriage: http://t.co/8jieHyMOZQ pic.twitter.com/77G58klKiU
— E! Online (@eonline) June 6, 2014
Griffith is asking for spousal support and although they are parting ways on good terms, things could get complicated when it comes time to split up their properties. They have numerous homes in both Spain and the United States.
Are you sad to see the couple split up and what do you think is the real reason for the divorce?
Image via Wikimedia Commons
