Antonio Banderas says fear led wife of 15 years Melanie Griffith back to rehab.

On Wednesday’s The Ellen DeGeneres Show, he reveals that Griffith, 52 – who has been sober for six years – had a skiing accident in Aspen, Co., a year-and-a-half ago.

After three knee operations, she was “obligated to use narcotics,” he says, and she got nervous.

“In March, she came to me and said, ‘I’m feeling a little bit weak in my determination for this … so I just thought to go to rehabilitation by myself,’” says Banderas, 49. “So the whole entire family is supporting her and I am supporting her and at this particular time more than ever. I’m very proud of her.”

He adds that the entire family has been participating in Griffith’s rehab program.

“We have been following some type of therapy with other families,” he says. “There are a number of invisible heroes working in AA all around the world. I just say to families, don’t get embarrassed just confront this problem head-on. And don’t hide from that because there is a beautiful gift at the end of this tunnel and it is the person that you love back and that is what I am searching for. I am very proud of my wife.”

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Antonio Banderas new fragrance for women is to help boost charity coffers in New York.

One dollar from the sale of every Blue Seduction for Women bottle this Christmas will go to the charity Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

The Spanish movie star says, “I’m proud to partner with Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, who supports many organizations for children and at-risk youth with educational programmes, as well as social service programs for people affected by HIV/AIDS.”

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WENN

Antonio Banderas is in mourning following the death of his father, Jose Dominguez Prieto. He passed away in Spain on February 2nd after a long battle with an unspecified illness. The former police officer was 87-years-old.

Banderas’ wife, Melanie Griffith and their 11-year-old daughter Stella flew to Europe from L.A. to join Antonio at his father’s funeral in Marbella on Sunday.

WENN

Her husband Antonio Banderas insists that he wants her to grow old naturally, wrinkles and all.

But whether Melanie Griffith listens to his opinion is another matter.

At the weekend premiere for the movie Shrek the Third in Hollywood, the 49-year-old actress provoked speculation that she has undergone a new bout of cosmetic surgery.

Her skin was taut across the forehead and cheekbones, while her full lips appeared to have the makings of the notorious “trout pout”.

Banderas, still a heart-throb at 46, has been married to her for 11 years.

Previous husbands include actor Steven Bauer and Miami Vice star Don Johnson (twice).

The Spanish-born star of films including The Mask of Zorro has said: “Hollywood stars are not supposed to be perfection. I don’t believe in perfection. I think it is a mistake.

“I said to her, ‘I want to see you growing old and I will grow old with you too, and I don’t care”. I like her the way she is. Wrinkles are beautiful.”

Harley Street surgeon Apostolos Gaitanis, however, is in little doubt that she has had recent surgery.

He said: “It is possible that her youthful looks are down to genes, but I would say that in this case it is unlikely.”

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