Disgusted by images of her husband embracing another woman, sources say Melanie Griffith has hired a private detective to determine the extent of his flirting and alleged infidelity – and her friends believe the probe will uncover more than a dozen “other” women!
The long-suffering “Working girl” star filed for divorce on June 6, just days after The ENQUIRER ran shocking photos of 53-year-old Antonio Banderas embracing a sexy dinner date on the French Riviera
while Melanie, 56, was thousands of miles away in Los Angeles.
The sexy pix were snapped while Antonio was promoting “The Expendables 3” at the Cannes Film Festival – were too much for the actress, say sources, and she decided to “throw in the towel” on her stormy 18-year marriage.
“Melanie exploded over the photos,” a close source told The ENQUIRER. “She was furious and heartsick.
“She called Antonio and shouted at him, ‘We’re through for good. i want a divorce!’” An insider says that Melanie’s friends suspect he’s “humiliated” her with at least a dozen women over the nearly two decades they’ve been together. “His behavior pushed her into hiring a private eye to determine exactly how many ‘other women’ there have been, and now she could use that information to bolster her divorce case,” added the insider.
Meanwhile, Melanie’s pals feared that the stress of thinking about Antonio cheating on her would drive the actress – who’s battled booze and drug demons in rehab – into a tailspin. “Her friends were worried if she didn’t take action now, she was going to fall off the wagon,” said the insider.
“They told her that no man is worth her getting sick over again.”
In a startling twist, “Expendables 3” actress Natalie Burn – who spent time with Antonio in Cannes and danced with him – told RadarOnline that “he is deeply in love with (Melanie).”
Natalie, who insists she had no romantic involvement with the actor, added that “he would talk about (Melanie) on the set…i know he’s really fond of her.”
But it appears that Melanie – who cited “irreconcilable differences” in her divorce suit – is readying for a major battle. she’s already hired high-powered attorney Laura Wasser, who handled Maria Shriver’s split from cheating hubby Arnold Schwarzenegger.
According to court documents, Melanie is seeking sole physical and joint legal custody of the couple’s 17-year-old daughter Stella, as well as spousal support from Antonio.
The divorce will be Melanie’s fourth. she was previously married to “Scarface” actor Steve Bauer and twice to “Miami Vice” star Don Johnson. For Banderas, this will be his second divorce. He split from first wife Ana Leza in 1995.
In a joint statement, Antonio and Melanie said they are finalizing their divorce “in a loving and friendly manner,” but friends believe it could turn ugly fast – especially if the private investigator submits his report on his alleged infidelities. “They’re worth a combined $65 million,” said the source. “So there’s a lot at stake.”
