Antonio Banderas Opens Up About His Life-Changing 2017 Heart Attack

Antonio Banderas is reflecting on how a near-fatal health crisis changed his outlook on life.

In 2017, the actor suffered a severe heart attack while at home in England. Had it not been for the quick thinking of his longtime girlfriend, Nicole Kimpel, he may not have made it to the hospital on time. Kimpel gave him aspirin before emergency medical teams arrived, and doctors later performed a procedure to place three stents in his arteries to clear the blockages and restore blood flow.

While Banderas admits the emergency was a close call, it forced him to face his own mortality in a way he never had before.

“You always have in your mind that you’re going to die,” Banderas told People. “But then when you have it so close, it’s an unbelievably clear reminder of how stupid you are losing time over things that don’t deserve to be in your life.”

Now he views surviving that day as a wake-up call.

“My heart attack was the best thing that ever happened in my life,” he said. “It was like somebody put glasses on me so I could see the reality that I didn’t see before.”

What Happens During a Heart Attack?

According to the American Heart Association, a heart attack (myocardial infarction) occurs when blood flow to the heart muscle is severely reduced or cut off completely. This happens when plaque builds up in the coronary arteries (a condition known as atherosclerosis) and eventually ruptures, forming a blood clot that starves the heart of oxygen.

The American Heart Association says that the first 90 days following hospital discharge are especially risky, with roughly one in four survivors ending up readmitted. Making lifestyle adjustments — like quitting cigarettes, minimizing stress, and staying on top of heart medications — is key to preventing a second, potentially fatal cardiac event.

Banderas has been open about how his habits prior to 2017 played a role in his health scare. During a 2023 interview with Fox News Digital, he called the incident “a knock at the door” that forced him to stop throwing himself into work to cope with his divorce from ex-wife Melanie Griffith. 

“In my case, it was a close call and advice to just really, really, really look at life in a different way,” he said at the time. “I was coming out of my divorce and was confused… Making movies one behind the other. It was crazy. And, so, when I stopped, and I came out of this horse of adrenaline, is when my heart said, ‘Pow, stop it. It’s not the way.’”

Resetting His Life and Priorities

The scare convinced Banderas to quit smoking and leave the Hollywood grind behind. He moved back to his hometown of Málaga, Spain, where he now focuses on local passion projects like running restaurants and a theater. He also continues to act, taking on select film roles like the upcoming Anthony Bourdain biopic, Tony.

By listening to his body and stepping back from a relentless schedule, Banderas turned a terrifying health crisis into a fresh start.