HEALTHAntonio Banderas Says His 2017 Heart Attack Was the 'Best Thing That Ever Happened' to Him
Antonio Banderas claimed that his 2017 heart attack was the 'best thing' that happened to him.
Aug. 6 2026, Published 7:14 a.m. ET
Antonio Banderas has a unique perspective on the heart attack he suffered in 2017.
In fact, he believed it may have been one of the most meaningful things to ever happen to him, as it completely shifted his outlook on life.
Antonio Banderas Believes His Heart Attack Was the 'Best Thing' That Happened to Him
Antonio Banderas' longtime girlfriend Nicole Kimpel was by his side while he suffered a heart attack in 2017.
The actor experienced the medical crisis nearly a decade ago while at home in Surrey, England.
He reportedly began experiencing chest pains, which prompted his longtime girlfriend, model Nicole Kimpel, to give him aspirin.
Medics later arrived at the scene and transported him to the hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery and had three stents placed in his arteries.
“My heart attack was the best thing that ever happened in my life,” he told People in an interview published on August 5.
Antonio Banderas said coming so close to death put things in perspective for him.
"It was like somebody put glasses on me so I could see the reality that I didn’t see before,” he added.
He explained that although people “always have in your mind that you’re going to die.”
He added, brushing shoulders with death is “an unbelievably clear reminder of how stupid you are losing time over things that don’t deserve to be in your life.”
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Antonio Banderas Changed His Life Completely After His Heart Attack
Antonio Banderas changed his life completely following his 2017 heart attack.
The 65-year-old shifted his life onto a completely different track following his recovery from his heart surgery.
He moved back to his hometown of Málaga, Spain, and these days spends his time producing plays and musicals at the Teatro del Soho CaixaBank. He has also reportedly invested in several popular eateries across the town.
“It’s true that food and gastronomy is a culture,” he joked during the recent interview.
He is also set to further highlight his belief about the food industry in the upcoming biopic about the late Anthony Bourdain, titled Tony.
Antonio Banderas is set portray the character of Anthony Bourdain's mentor in 'Tony.'
While Dominic Sessa will be playing the role of the iconic chef, Banderas will bring the character based on Bourdain’s mentor Ciro Cozzi to life.
“I didn’t know Anthony Bourdain personally, but I thought that [Bourdain’s travelogue series No Reservations] was a beautiful show that was not actually about cooking, but life,” the Desperado star said.
“And then my character…he was a good man. He was somebody who [had] something to say. And I have eight restaurants, so I am a little bit in that world, too. It’s almost impossible to say no to a project like this,” the movie star added.
