- Ana Leza is the Ex-wife of Spanish actor, Antonio Banderas who started off as his English teacher
- The Spanish actress got a generous settlement after her divorce from her Ex-Husband
- She is currently married to editor and documentarian, Dharma Villareal and they currently live in New York with their two daughters
Ana Leza is a Spanish actress and the Ex-wife of the Spanish Actor and Director, Antonio Banderas. The Spanish actress was born in Madrid, Spain in 1962 to an actress mother.
She began her acting career in 1984 when she appeared in the TV series “Teresa de Jesús” and “Fragmentos de interior”. Leza is currently married to Dharma Villareal and the couple stay in New York, US.
Ana Leza’s Mother is an Actress
Ana Arana Leza was born in Madrid, Spain. Her mother Concha Leza born María de la Concepción Leza Núñez was a famous actress with credits on both big and small screens.
Little wonder as to why Ana Leza chose the career herself. As a child, she watched her mother in the art and as she grew, she developed an interest in entertainment as well. Her mother was very supportive of her dream and gave her all the support she needed to excel in her chosen career path.
Concha Leza is famous for her roles in 1977’s “Foul Play”, “Hospital Central” (2000) and “Historias para no dormir” (1966).
Antonio Banderas, Ana Leza’s Ex-Husband is an Internationally Recognized Actor
José Antonio Domínguez Bandera is a multi-award-winning Spanish Actor born on the 10th of August 1960. He began his acting career in the 1980s and over time, he has created a reputation for himself in both the Spanish and Hollywood movie industries.
Banderas as a child wanted to become a professional football player but his dream was cut short when he broke his foot at age 15. However, he didn’t dwell on that setback as he took interest in theatre and began to perform in the ARA Theatre School and eventually got a spot in the Spanish National Theatre.
From Theatre, he ventured into film and went on to win awards for his acting prowess. Awards under his belt include the Primetime Emmy Awards and Screen Actors Guild Awards. Banderas has also been nominated for the Academy Awards and the Golden Globe Awards.
After his divorce from Ana Leza, Banderas married American Actress, Melanie Griffith, mother of the 50 Shades star, Dakota Johnson on the 14th of May 1996 in London. They were blessed with a daughter, Stella del Carman Banderas. Unfortunately, the couple split in 2014 due to what they termed “Irreconcilable Differences”. The duo has however agreed to remain friends.
Ana Leza and Antonio Banderas started off as work colleagues
Leza started off as Banderas’ private English teacher and translator when he was looking to expand his career into Hollywood, but had the challenge of not being able to speak good English.
She spent a lot of time teaching him how to pronounce English words which were of great help to his career. After some time, their work relationship metamorphosed into something beautiful as the two actors fell hopelessly in love with each other.
Their romance was like a whirlwind, so much so that they could not wait to make it official. The couple tied the knot on the 27th of July 1987, six months after they started dating. The ceremony took place at the Church of San Nicolás in Madrid.
With the help of Leza, he would eventually get a movie role in Hollywood’s “Mambo Kings” in 1992 and she would assist him in reading his scripts. Banderas acknowledged in an interview that he would not have been able to get the role without her help.
Their marriage while it lasted was a very beautiful union to watch. The couple attended a lot of events together including movie premieres and Award shows.
What Caused Ana Leza and Antonio Banderas’ Divorce?
All marriages encounter different challenges, Banderas and Leza’s Marriage was no exception. Even though at the start of their marriage it looked like a match made in heaven, it ended up being one of the messiest divorces in Hollywood.
In 1995, the couple split and eventually got divorced in 1996. The couple did not come out publicly with reasons for their divorce. However, it is speculated that it was due to an affair he had with Melanie Griffith to whom he would get married shortly after the divorce.
The divorce caused Banderas to lose a huge chunk of his wealth as he lost their $4 million home to Leza. Their home wasn’t just all that was awarded to Leza. She was given 50% of every money earned by Banderas while the couple was married. The Spanish actor was also asked to pay monthly alimony of $14,100.60 to his Ex-wife, Ana Leza.
Banderas claimed that the court was not fair in their judgment as he called it a business. He expressed his displeasure and hinted that the court ripped him off.
See Also: Gabriela Rodríguez De Bukele Is The Wife Of Nayib Bukele: Bio, Kids, Other Facts
What is Ana Leza up to?
Four Years after her divorce from Banderas, Ana Leza married Dharma Villareal. The couple got married on the 26th of November 2000 in Santa Barbara, California. Dharma Villareal is from Ojai, California. He works as an editor and documentarian for Xerox Company.
Leza and her Husband are blessed with two daughters, Clara Maria and Sofia Macarena. They currently live in New York after living in Abu Dhabi, Los Angeles, and Madrid.
The couple practice Siddha Yoga Meditation, a Spiritual path founded by Swami Muktananda. It is described as a path of self-realization. They have also introduced their daughters to the religion.
Ana Leza, the Ex-wife of multi-award-winning Spanish Actor, Antonio Banderas is an actress and has featured in quite a number of movies. She married the actor in 1987 and they got divorced in 1996. The divorce was quite messy as Banderas felt the court was not fair to him.
Leza has remarried and is blessed with two daughters. Her family and she currently reside in New York after living in different parts of the world.
