Antonio Banderas reveals why he swapped his private jet and a Surrey mansion after a near-fatal heart attack for a Malaga flat where he is known to locals as José Hollywood

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Antonio Banderas has been thinking about how much his life has changed since he suffered a serious heart attack almost nine years ago.

In 2017, the 58-year-old actor experienced chest pains during a workout and was hospitalized. Doctors later determined he had suffered a heart attack.

At 65, the former Hollywood star’s life has been dramatically altered since receiving some concerning health news.

I’ve been following Antonio’s journey, and it’s truly inspiring! He made some huge life changes, starting with a complete health overhaul – he kicked his smoking habit, which is fantastic. But it didn’t stop there! He simplified things dramatically, selling both his incredible homes in the UK and the US, even his private jet! He’s now back in his hometown of Malaga, where he was born, embracing a much more grounded lifestyle. It’s a powerful reminder that happiness isn’t always about possessions.

He moved because he had a sudden realization about his career. As he put it, facing a life-threatening situation made him recognize his true calling: being a theatre actor.

The actor, whose films have earned $77 billion worldwide, is now prioritizing his theater work and family life. He currently lives in a city-center apartment in Malaga, Spain, with his partner, Nicole Kimpel, 43, leading to a less active film career.

As a lifestyle expert, I’m always impressed by people who truly follow their passions! Take Antonio, for example. He runs Teatro del Soho, a non-profit theatre, and pours his heart – and a significant amount of his own money, around €200,000 a year – into keeping it thriving. He also gets support from corporate sponsors, and thankfully, the occasional Hollywood role helps him maintain his more relaxed and simple life these days. It’s a beautiful example of balancing artistic commitment with practical needs.

He shared with The Times this week that people in the area call him ‘José Hollywood,’ and that he’s never felt happier, even though he’s lost money due to a habit he can’t break.

He shared that he had a successful run on Broadway in 2003, even winning a Tony Award for the musical Nine. However, he felt Spain lacked musical theater at the time, and he was eager to bring that art form to the country.

I then had the chance to buy an old, run-down cinema. It was in terrible condition, filled with asbestos, but I saw potential. I completely gutted the building and rebuilt everything inside the original structure.

As a dad myself, I completely understand the joy this actor described when talking about his daughter’s wedding! He recently shared that she and her partner specifically chose Spain as the location for their special day, and honestly, he said watching her walk down the aisle was one of the most beautiful experiences of his life. It’s just so heartwarming to hear about these family moments!

Antonio beamed with pride as his 29-year-old daughter, Stella, married her partner of many years, Alex Gruszynski, in October.

The couple got married at the beautiful Retuerta Le Domaine Abbey, a historic monastery located on a large vineyard in Valladolid, Spain.

And Hollywood actor Antonio felt emotional at being the father of the bride.

Just before the wedding, he shared with Hola magazine that watching his daughter get married would be a truly special moment for him.

‘I get to be the father of the bride, and it’s a role I take on with all the emotion in the world.’

Stella was born in Spain and grew up in Los Angeles. Antonio was very proud she chose to have her wedding in her birth country.

He shared that she strongly identifies with her Andalusian and Málaga heritage, even though she was raised in the United States. He explained that this was her way of rediscovering her roots and introducing her fiancé and his family to her culture and homeland.

Stella was happy she and her partner were able to get married in Spain, saying she felt very lucky.

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2026-03-26 17:48