Antonio Banderas Says He’ll Always Love Melanie Griffith Despite Divorce

It seems Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith are quite the amicable exes!

In a new interview, the 54-year-old actor revealed he will always love his ex-wife despite their decision to file for divorce after 18 years of marriage.

“She is a person that I loved, I love and I always will love, whatever our status is,” he said during a recent appearance on the Spanish TV show ‘El Hormiguero.’

Antonio on ‘El Hormiguero’ on Jan. 19, 2015.

The pair remain on such good terms since their “loving and friendly” split that Antonio asked Melanie, 57, to star alongside him in the upcoming action film ‘Automata,’ which he also produced.

“I really admire Melanie as an actress, I have always said that. I have a big respect for her in her career, for that reason she is in the film,” he said during the Monday, Jan. 19 sit-down.

Related Story: Gary Oldman’s Fourth Wife Filed for Divorce — Get All the Details

This is the first time ‘The Mask of Zorro’ star has publicly spoken out about his separation from his second wife since the couple announced their divorce in June 2014.

Antonio with Melanie in September 2011.

“It was a hard year. I had lot of work and my private life was also hard, but life goes on,” he added.

Antonio and Melanie met while filming the 1995 romantic comedy ‘Two Much’ and tied the knot in a private ceremony in London in May 1996. They have one child together, daughter Stella Domínguez.