Antonio Banderas Feels 'Great' About Daughter Stella's Engagement: 'She's Happy, I'm Happy!' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Antonio Banderas at the amfAR Gala in Venice, Italy, on Sept. 1, 2024; Stella Banderas in Madrid on Oct. 25, 2023.Photo:Ryan Emberley/amfAR/amfAR via Getty; Carlos Alvarez/Getty

Ryan Emberley/amfAR/amfAR via Getty; Carlos Alvarez/Getty

Antonio Banderasis over the moon for his daughterStella Banderasafter the recent news about herengagement to Alex Gruszynski.

PEOPLE spoke to the actor on Sunday, Sept. 1, at the amfAR Gala in Venice, Italy, held during theVenice Film Festival, where he touched briefly on Stella’s relationship milestone.

“I feel great! She’s happy, I’m happy,” said Antonio, 64, as he attended the star-studded event alongside longtime girlfriendNicole Kimpel.

Antonio was among those honored at the amfAR Gala, a list that also includedRichard Gereandfilm producer Mohammed Al Turki. Held to raise money for HIV/AIDS research and awareness via tickets sales and auction, the gala recognized Antonio with the Global Impact Award.

“His dedication to philanthropy and commitment to making a difference in the fight against HIV inspires us all,” the groupsaid in a statement.

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Antonio and Stella Banderas in San Sebastian, Spain, on Sept. 17, 2021.Carlos Alvarez/Getty

Stella’s momMelanie Griffithshared the happy newson InstagramAug. 20 that her daughter was engaged. Alongside several black-and-white photos of the couple, the 67-year-oldWorking Girlactress briefly reflected on their journey from childhood friends to soon-to-be husband and wife.

“He asked … On bended knee … she said yes ♥️ Stella and Alex are engaged to be married ♥️,” Griffith wrote in the post’s caption. “Their love story began in pre-school! True love, deep love! Congratulations to the beloveds!!! ♥️💥♥️💫♥️.”

One of the photos showed Stella, 27, and Gruszynski — who is cofounder and CEO of NOVA, a marketplace for creative freelancers — enjoying a picnic on the grass. In other snapshots, Stella flashed her sparkly new engagement ring for the camera.

The bride-to-be also announced the engagement on her own Instagram grid. Her post included acarousel of photosfeaturing both throwbacks of herself and Gruszynski as kids, as well as more recent images, including one of the pair kissing on a couch.

“I get to hang out with my favorite person on earth forever!!!!!!!! 🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍 ,” Stella wrote in her caption.

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Stella has attended red-carpet events with her parents over the years. In 2012, She, Antonio and Griffith attended a charity gala together in Spain. Later, she joined her dad at the 2020Academy Awardsand, the following year, the opening of the 2021 San Sebastián International Film Festival in Spain.

Banderas spoke to PEOPLE in 2010 about spending quality time with Stella, his only child, saying, “I have one date night with my daughter every week.”

source: people.com