Melanie Griffith and Her 4 Kids: Meet Jesse, Alexander, Dakota, and Stella
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- UPDATED OCTOBER 24, 2024
by Tasha Mayberry
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For Melanie Griffith, there’s no role more important than being a mom. The actress is a proud mother of four: she shares son Alexander Bauer with ex-husband Steven Bauer, daughter Dakota Johnson and stepson Jesse Johnson with ex Don Johnson, and daughter Stella Banderas with former husband Antonio Banderas. Melanie has maintained close relationships with the fathers of her children, telling in 2020, “All three of them are my friends. I love them with all my heart.” She also mentioned that there are “endless possibilities” now that her children are grown. “I’ve been taking this time to figure out my future,” she shared, adding that she’s been working on a memoir and going through family photos and heirlooms she’s collected from her kids and past marriages.
Jesse Johnson, 41
Don Johnson and his then-partner Patti D’Arbanville welcomed their son Jesse on December 7, 1982. When Don remarried Melanie in 1989 (they had previously been married briefly in 1976), she became Jesse’s stepmom. Jesse was raised in Aspen, Colorado, where he developed a love for the outdoors and sports. “I had the privilege of attending schools with an extensive outdoor curriculum, so I got to do things like whitewater kayaking as an elective,” he shared in a 2009 interview with Top Cat Films. Throughout his childhood and teenage years, Jesse frequently appeared at public events with Melanie and Don, including the 1991 premiere of Hook and a charity event in 1997.
Alexander Bauer, 39
Alexander Griffith Bauer was born to Melanie and her second husband, Steven Bauer, on August 22, 1985. The couple met on set and married in 1981, later divorcing in 1989. Alexander grew up in Los Angeles with his mom and siblings. After the divorce, Steven had another son, Dylan Bauer, in 1990. Meanwhile, Melanie remarried twice and welcomed Alexander’s two sisters, Dakota and Stella.
Though both of his parents are actors, Alexander has largely stayed out of the public eye, dabbling in acting, writing, and camera work for a few projects between 2013 and 2015. Despite his low-profile career, Melanie often shares her love for Alexander on social media. In 2019, she posted a tribute for National Sons Day, writing, “Happy National Sons Day ♥️ These extraordinary guys,” alongside a photo of Jesse and Alexander. “I love you both so much.
Dakota Johnson, 35
After her split from Steven, Melanie reunited with her first husband, Don, and they welcomed their daughter Dakota on October 4, 1989. Born in Austin, Texas, while her father was filming, Dakota was the newest addition to their blended family. She spent her childhood between Colorado and California, frequently traveling due to her parents’ acting careers.
In a 2022 interview with Vanity Fair, Dakota reflected on her upbringing, saying, “My life is incredibly lucky and privileged, and the way I grew up was remarkable—the places I went, how we lived, and the experiences I had.” However, she also noted that her family faced its share of internal struggles. Her parents separated when she was four, divorcing two years later. In 1996, Dakota’s family dynamic changed again when Melanie married Antonio Banderas. At the 2019 Hollywood Film Awards, Dakota paid tribute to her stepdad while presenting him with the Hollywood Actor Award.
Stella Banderas, 28
Melanie welcomed her third child, Stella del Carmen Banderas, on September 24, 1996, with then-husband Antonio Banderas. Like her father, Stella was born in Spain and is fluent in both English and Spanish. After nearly two decades of marriage, her parents announced their separation, finalizing their divorce in 2015. Despite the split, Melanie and Antonio have remained close friends.
In a 2019 interview with Vulture, Antonio praised Melanie, saying, “I am not married to Melanie anymore, but she is my family. She is probably one of my best friends, if not my best friend. My family is Dakota, little Estella, and Alexander.” In 2021, Stella filed to legally drop the surname “Griffith” from her name for practical reasons, stating in court documents that she doesn’t regularly use it.
Melanie Griffith and Antonio Banderas' Relationship: A Look Back
Though their marriage ended, Melanie Griffith and Antonio Banderas still have a deep affection for each other. The two met while filming their 1995 romantic comedy Two Much. At the time, both were still married—Melanie to Don Johnson and Antonio to Ana Leza—but by 1996, they had divorced their respective spouses and married each other that May in London.
The couple welcomed their daughter, Stella, in September 1996, and even after their divorce in 2015, the family has remained close. In a 2020 interview with El Break de las 7, Banderas reflected on his relationship with Melanie, recalling the “wonderful moments” they shared. “We had a wonderful daughter that we both love, and that is the end result of our relationship—the most beautiful thing we have ever done together,” he said.
