Melanie Griffith is currently single and has not remarried since her high-profile divorce from Spanish actor Antonio Banderas was finalized in 2015. Over the decades, the Academy Award-nominated star of Working Girl has captured public fascination just as much for her high-profile romances as for her cinematic achievements. Her romantic life includes four distinct marriages to three different men, featuring dramatic reunions, Hollywood weddings, and blended families that remain staples of pop culture history.
Understanding her relationship background requires looking past tabloid noise to examine the actual timelines, marriages, and current chapter of her life. Here is a close look at who Melanie Griffith has been married to, how those relationships unfolded, and where her personal life stands today.
Who is Melanie Griffith's current spouse?
Melanie Griffith doesn't have a current spouse. Following her split from Antonio Banderas, she decided to step back from marriage entirely. In interviews, she has reflected on enjoying her independence, focusing on her children, and prioritizing her own peace rather than seeking out a new partner.
Her life centers heavily on her family, including her children—Alexander Bauer, actress Dakota Johnson, and Stella Banderas—as well as her grandchildren. While celebrity gossip columns frequently speculate about her dating status, Griffith has maintained that she's content being single and unattached.
A complete look at Melanie Griffith's marriage history
Griffith’s romantic journey is marked by intense, long-lasting connections in the entertainment industry. Her relationship timeline spans four separate marriages, beginning when she was just a teenager.
1. Don Johnson (First Marriage: 1976)
Melanie Griffith first met actor Don Johnson on the set of the film The Harrad Experiment when she was only 14 years old and he was 22. They began living together when she turned 15, and they married on January 8, 1976.
This first union was exceptionally brief. The couple struggled with the pressures of early fame and personal challenges, resulting in a divorce just six months later in July 1976.
2. Steven Bauer (Marriage: 1981–1989)
Following her split from Johnson, Griffith entered a relationship with Cuban-American actor Steven Bauer. They tied the knot on September 8, 1981.
During this marriage, Griffith welcomed her first child, son Alexander, born in August 1985. The couple eventually separated in the late 1980s, and their divorce was finalized in 1989. Griffith later candidly discussed facing personal struggles with alcohol and substance use during and after the breakdown of this marriage, a period she worked hard to overcome through rehabilitation.
3. Don Johnson (Second Marriage: 1989–1996)
More than a decade after their first brief marriage ended, Griffith and Don Johnson reconnected. Following Griffith's recovery and return to Hollywood prominence with films like Working Girl, the pair rekindled their romance.
They remarried on June 26, 1989. A few months later, on October 4, 1989, they welcomed their daughter, Dakota Johnson. Although this second iteration of their marriage lasted significantly longer than the first, cracks eventually formed, leading to a final separation and divorce in 1996. Despite the breakup, both have spoken warmly about their shared history and their commitment to co-parenting Dakota.
4. Antonio Banderas (Marriage: 1996–2015)
Griffith's longest and most widely publicized marriage began on the set of the romantic comedy Two Much in 1995, where she co-starred with Spanish actor Antonio Banderas. The chemistry between them was immediate, and both ended their previous marriages to be together.
They married on May 14, 1996, just months before welcoming their daughter, Stella del Carmen Banderas, in September 1996. For nearly two decades, Griffith and Banderas were a fixture of international red carpets, often viewed as one of Hollywood's most enduring couples.
In June 2014, the couple announced they were filing for divorce in a joint statement, citing irreconcilable differences. Unlike many bitter Hollywood splits, their separation was amicable. The divorce was finalized in December 2015, and Banderas has frequently stated that Griffith remains one of his closest friends and family members.
Common misconceptions about Melanie Griffith's relationships
Public perception of Hollywood marriages often leads to incorrect assumptions. Clearing up the timeline helps separate fact from fiction:
- She was not married dozens of times: While tabloids often focus on her active romantic history, she has been married four times total to three different men. Remarrying Don Johnson accounts for the double count in her marriage tally.
- Her divorces weren't all contentious: Her split from Antonio Banderas involved no public mudslinging. They split amicably, and Griffith has maintained supportive ties with her ex-husbands for the sake of her children and grandchildren.
- She hasn't sworn off dating entirely: While she isn't looking for a spouse, single life for Griffith involves an active social circle, close family bonds, and involvement in the arts rather than total isolation.
You can read more about her early career and artistic background on the Britannica Melanie Griffith Biography.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Melanie Griffith's children?
Griffith has three children, one from each of her major marriages. Her eldest son, Alexander Bauer, was born during her marriage to Steven Bauer. Her middle child, actress Dakota Johnson, was born during her second marriage to Don Johnson. Her youngest daughter, Stella Banderas, was born during her marriage to Antonio Banderas.
How long was Melanie Griffith married to Antonio Banderas?
Griffith and Antonio Banderas were married for 18 years. They wed in May 1996 and finalized their divorce in December 2015, making it her longest continuous marriage.
Does Melanie Griffith have a boyfriend right now?
She is currently single. She has focused her energy on personal fulfillment, her children, and her grandchildren rather than pursuing romantic relationships.
Why did Melanie Griffith and Antonio Banderas divorce?
The couple cited irreconcilable differences when filing for divorce in 2014. Both parties noted that they simply grew apart after nearly two decades together, choosing to part ways amicably without public conflict.
