Antonio Banderas Feels 'Great' About Daughter Stella's Engagement: 'She' Happy, I'm Happy!' (Exclusive)
09/02/2024 02:09 PM
Of Stella's fiancé Alex Gruszynski, Banderas told PEOPLE, "He's awesome. I've known him since he was a little kid"
Ryan Emberley/amfAR/amfAR via Getty; Carlos Alvarez/Getty
Antonio Banderas at the amfAR Gala in Venice, Italy, on Sept. 1, 2024; Stella Banderas in Madrid on Oct. 25, 2023Antonio Banderas is over the moon for his daughter Stella Banderas after the recent news about her engagement to Alex Gruszynski.
PEOPLE spoke to the actor on Sunday, Sept. 1, at the amfAR Gala in Venice, Italy, held during the Venice 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 girlfriend Nicole Kimpel.
Of his entrepreneur soon-to-be son-in-law, the Babygirlstar told PEOPLE on Sunday, "He's awesome. I've known him since he was a little kid."
Antonio was among those honored at the amfAR Gala, a list that also included Richard Gere and film 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 group said in a statement.
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Related: Antonio Banderas Bonds with Stepdaughter Dakota Johnson in Sweet Photo: 'Happiness'
Stella's mom Melanie Griffith shared the happy news on Instagram Aug. 20 that her daughter was engaged. Alongside several black-and-white photos of the couple, the 67-year-old Working Girl actress 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 a carousel of photos featuring 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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Related: Melanie Griffith and Antonio Banderas' Relationship: A Look Back
Stella has pursued a career in the family business, first joining her mother and half-sister Dakota Johnson in 1999's Crazy in Alabama (directed by Antonio) and later, working as a model, actress and entrepreneur. In 2021, she launched Lightbound, a beauty and fragrance brand.
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 2020 Academy Awards and, 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."
"I take her for dinner by herself and we can talk, spend some time together," he added. "We just try to be dynamic in our relationship to the family, and it's fun too."
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