Antonio Banderas had a very special visitor this week – his daughter Stella, who made the transatlantic trip from Los Angeles especially to see him. Antonio, who shares Stella with his ex-wife Melanie Griffith, posted a sweet photo on Instagram of their reunion. He told fans: "My daughter came all the way from L.A. to see me. Total happiness walking around #Guildford!"
The Desperado star was no doubt thrilled to spend time with his 20-year-old, who has taken after her dad, and mum, and pursued a career in acting. The pair posed in the bright winter sunshine, with Antonio wrapping a protective arm around his daughter. His ex-wife Melanie, who split from Antonio in 2015, also shared the same photo on her Instagram page, writing: "Daughter and father love @stellabanderasgriffith and @antoniobanderasoficial Sweetness."
What Melanie received in her divorce settlement from Antonio
Antonio Banderas' daughter Stella visited him from LA
Stella's visit comes shortly after her dad suffered a "major heart scare" at the end of January. Antonio confirmed that he had an "episode" and later clarified on Instagram: "Enjoying nature after a startle." He posed outdoors with his girlfriend Nicole Kimpel. According to The Sun, the 56-year-old star experienced agonising chest pains while he was exercising. Antonio was taken by ambulance to St Peter's Hospital in Chertsey, not far from his Surrey home. Doctors reportedly kept the actor in hospital for observation but released him after being satisfied that he was safe to go home. The Spaniard, who moved to the UK in 2015, praised the medics who helped him.
The actor split from Melanie Griffith in 2015
Antonio lives in a lavish, £2.4million property in the village of Cobham. He has previously spoken about leaving the party scene behind, and replacing it with a more relaxing country life. "I find Surrey magical," Antonio told HELLO! magazine in the past. "I am not a party person anymore so I have the space and peace to write and really get inside my own head. I'm working on several scripts. "I go cycling in the woods and everyone in Cobham, Weybridge and Esher is incredibly friendly. Above all, I am surrounded by nature. I love watching the deer and foxes that come to my garden."