Antonio Banderas & Melanie Griffith: The Post-Nup, the Picasso, and $65K a Month

What Happened

Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith married in May 1996, uniting two of Hollywood's most charismatic stars. Their relationship had been passionate from the start — Griffith famously had 'Antonio' tattooed on her arm (which she later had removed and replaced with the word 'strength'). They had one daughter, Stella, and Banderas also became a stepfather to Griffith's daughter Dakota Johnson, now a major star in her own right.

The couple signed a post-nuptial agreement in 2004, eight years into the marriage. Post-nups function similarly to prenups but are executed after the wedding, often in response to changed circumstances. The agreement governed how earnings from 2004 onward would be divided, covering major film projects including Shrek 2, Puss in Boots, Machete Kills, and The Expendables 3.

Griffith filed for divorce in June 2014 after 18 years of marriage, and the decree was finalized on December 20, 2015. The settlement was generous. Banderas agreed to pay $65,000 per month in spousal support, terminable upon Griffith's remarriage. She also received a Picasso painting and their home in Aspen, Colorado. The couple's Los Angeles property was sold for nearly $16 million, with proceeds split equally. Earnings covered by the 2004 post-nup were divided according to its terms.

The divorce was handled with unusual grace for Hollywood. Both parties spoke respectfully about each other in public, and Banderas maintained his relationship with stepdaughter Dakota Johnson. The case demonstrated that post-nuptial agreements, while less common than prenups, can provide a clear framework for asset division that simplifies divorce proceedings — even in marriages involving significant wealth.

Legal Breakdown: Post-Nuptial Agreements in Practice

What This Means for Your Divorce