Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
Anthony Hopkinsand his wife, Stella Arroyave, have been married for two decades.
The Silence of the Lambsstar first met the former antique dealer when he wandered into the shop she worked at, and Arroyave made quite the first impression. Two years later, the couple got married in 2003. In the years since, Arroyave has become an actor, writer and director, and the two have worked together a handful of times.
Arroyave, who is 18 years his junior, is Hopkins' third wife. The two-time Oscar winner was previously married to actressPetronella Barker— with whom he shares a daughter,Abigail Hopkins— from 1966 to 1972. He was married toJennifer Lyntonfrom 1973 to 2002. Arroyave’s marriage to Hopkins is her first.
So, who is Anthony Hopkins' wife? Keep reading to learn more about Stella Arroyave.
She met Hopkins when she was an antique dealer
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Hopkins and Arroyave had a proper meet-cute in the early 2000s. Arroyave was working as an antique dealer when Hopkins paid her shop in Los Angeles a visit. As he told theDaily Mailin 2013, instead of walking over to greet him, she danced.
At the time, Hopkins had all but given up on marriage. “I am not very good with relationships,” he recalled thinking. “With anyone. I can’t be locked up with anyone for too long.” However, Arroyave clearly changed his perspective.
She married Hopkins in 2003
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She joined the entertainment business
After marrying Hopkins, Arroyave left the antique business and joined her husband in the entertainment industry. In 2007, she produced and starred in the filmSlipstream, which Hopkins wrote, directed and starred in. Arroyave also appeared in a small role alongside Hopkins inThe Human Stain.
In a January 2021 interview withVariety, Arroyave said she always wanted to work in entertainment. “I grew up in New York and left when I was 19. I wanted to be a lawyer,” she said. “Then, I came out to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. I took a lot of courses at UCLA, writing, directing, filming. I did some music videos. When I married Tony, I produced the filmSlipstream. I always wanted to produce, direct, write. It was something I nurtured, studied.”
She has directed Hopkins
Arroyave made her directorial debut in 2020 with the psychological dramaElyse, which she co-wrote with screenwriter Audrey Arkins. The film follows a photographer named Elyse as she ends up in a psychiatric hospital after a tragic incident. Hopkins plays Elyse’s doctor and composed the score for the film.
In a 2021 interview withThe Times, Arroyave spoke about directing her husband. “He respected my position and I respected his,” Arroyave said. “Although I recognized that I was working with a man who, clearly, has 55 years' worth of acting experience from which to draw.”
She is making a documentary about Hopkins
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While speaking withVariety, Arroyave shared that her next project is a documentary about Hopkins. “I’ve been developing my husband’s documentary of his life,” she said. “We started shooting some of it in his hometown in Wales, interviewing several people —Oliver Stoneand Jodie Foster andIan McKellen.”
For the film, she also had the opportunity to speak to one of Hopkins' grammar school teachers. “He said that of all the students in the school, he wouldn’t have guessed that Anthony would achieve this level of success because Anthony was a loner,” Arroyave explained. “The only thing he saw was that he was interested in drawing and piano … Tony is a private man who enjoys being alone. But he’s a genius.”
Hopkins had previously spokenabout his childhoodwithAARP The Magazinein 2019. “One of my teachers told [Arroyave] I was a mystery,” he said. “I didn’t speak to other kids; I didn’t play sports; I didn’t even go to the school plays. But I was tired of being called stupid, and I thought, ‘One day I’ll show you all.’ And I became this other person. My career took off.”
She encourages Hopkins' art
In addition to acting, Hopkins has a passion for painting. He’s been featured in galleries around the world and has even sold some of his pieces. In 2011, Hopkins credited Arroyave for “opening this partof [his] life,” as she had encouraged him to make small paintings as party favors for their wedding. “She has more confidence in me than I have in myself,” the actor said.
She makes sure Hopkins doesn’t work too much
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Arroyave might encourage Hopkins to paint, but she also makes sure he maintains a work-life balance.
“I’m a workaholic,” Hopkins saidin 2019. “I act; I paint; I play music; I read a lot. It keeps the brain active. I’ll go on working until I drop. … Stella is good atkeeping me in a harness. I spend hours in the studio painting, and she’ll come in and say, ‘Enough.’ I don’t have much common sense.”
She shares simple pleasures with Hopkins
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Hopkins may be known for playing some not-so-sweet characters, but in 2011 he shared something “sweet” about himself withParade. “I’m always buying gifts and flowers for my wife,” he said. “She appreciates that, and then I get rewards. She makes me breakfast and brings it to me when I’m in bed.”
Hopkins also said that he and Arroyave like to go for drives together and shared their road trip music of choice. “My wife and I have an SUV and like to wander,” he said. “We both like country-western music —Waylon Jennings,Johnny Cash,Dolly Parton.”
She and Hopkins are good friends with Salma Hayek
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The couple have been close friends with actressSalma Hayekfor decades.
source: people.com
