Stella Arroyave: Everything about Anthony Hopkins’ Third Wife

Stella Arroyave has gained widespread fame as the third wife of Oscar-winning actor Anthony Hopkins. Continue reading to learn more about Stella Arroyave's life, impressive career, and how she met the love of her life.

Welsh actor Anthony Hopkins rose to prominence after starring in several films, notably "The Silence of the Lambs" in 1991 and "The Father" in 2020. In addition to his Hollywood success, he is also famous for his third marriage to Stella Arroyave.

Stella Arroyave married the Academy Award winner in 2004. The lovely Colombian woman is a celebrity in her own right and works in the same industry as her famous husband. Besides acting, she is also a talented writer and director.

WHO IS STELLA ARROYAVE?

Arroyave was born on March 10, 1956, in Popayán, Colombia, which places her under the Pisces zodiac sign. She described her childhood in her home country as "difficult" in a recent interview with The Times.

When she was young, she said she had a tough time dealing with her mentally unstable mother. Due to her predicament, Arroyave escaped to India, where she spent time learning from several gurus before eventually settling in Sweden.

Arroyave ultimately relocated to New York, where she briefly planned to study law. She later transferred to Los Angeles, hoping for better opportunities after experiencing a painful past.

Arroyave made Los Angeles her permanent home. Instead of attending law school, Arroyave opened an antique shop. She has experience in the business world, having worked as a skilled art dealer in Colombia.

In 2001, she met Hopkins, who happened to be one of her customers at her antique store. Hopkins was there to make a purchase. At the time that they met, Hopkins was dealing with heartbreak.

Everything in Arroyave's life has changed dramatically since meeting Hopkins. She then tried acting and participated in several films, some of which she co-starred with the legendary actor.

The 66-year-old Latina beauty showed off her acting chops in the 2003 film "The Human Stain" with Hopkins and Australian actress Nicole Kidman. Arroyave also starred in another movie, "Slipstream," in 2007.

Arroyave has found great success as an actress and entrepreneur, and she enjoys lavishly spending the money she has earned. She loves shopping, and she considers it her hobby.

STELLA ARROYAVE'S DIRECTORIAL DEBUT

Arroyave is most known for her work in the acting industry, but she has also dabbled in filmmaking. She made her first directorial debut, "Elyse," a drama film released in December 2020.

She had also written the storyline before directing. Arroyave drew inspiration for the movie from her early experiences with her mother, who had undiagnosed schizophrenia at the time.

Even though Arroyave had not intended to include Hopkins in the film initially, she decided to approach him and inform him about her plans. He then gave his blessing for him to appear in the movie.

While working with Hopkins, Arroyave saw firsthand how professional he was on set and how respectful he was to the production staff and his fellow actors. His other co-stars are Lisa Pepper and Aaron Tucker.

She and the 88-year-old movie legend had exchanged ideas as they filmed several scenes. The filmmaker neophyte added that directing the famous actor was easy. She said:

"He respected my position, and I respected him, although I recognized that I was working with a man who, clearly, has 55 years' worth of acting experience from which to draw."

STELLA ARROYAVE AND ANTHONY HOPKINS' RELATIONSHIP

Hopkins and Arroyave's relationship took some time to blossom. When they first met at Arroyave's antique shop in Los Angeles, the "Meet Joe Black" actor was still married to his second wife.

In 2003, he married Arroyave in Malibu in front of their family and close friends. Among the Hollywood luminaries that attended the couple's wedding were Winona Ryder, Steven Spielberg, and Catherine Zeta-Jones.

When they celebrated their tenth wedding anniversary, Hopkins and Arroyave traveled to St. Davids Cathedral in Pembrokeshire, Wales, to have their marriage blessed by a priest.

In the arms of his third wife, Hopkins has finally found serenity. He has been living with Arroyave in Malibu, California, where they enjoy pleasant activities such as painting, playing the piano, and walking on the beach.

During quarantine, his wife taught him about Latin American rhythms in addition to creating arts at home. The longtime couple was spotted dancing salsa and merengue along with their colleagues at the recent Oscars celebration.

ANTHONY HOPKINS CREDITS STELLA ARROYAVE WITH SAVING HIM

Hopkins explained that Arroyave has helped him become a better version of himself in several ways, and he thanked her for coming into his life. At the time, his existence was nothing but gloom, and he questioned everyone's motives. He said of his past life:

"I was dealing with slight depression. Not trusting anyone. Certainly not trusting women."

The proud husband credited his wife with saving him from depression, seeing how her pleasure was infectious and transformed him. He admired her for the way that she has maintained her positive outlook throughout her life.

Hopkins previously admitted that he had difficulty initiating and maintaining relationships, especially with his daughter.

In December 2020, the "Fracture" actor happily posted on Twitter to commemorate 45 years of sobriety, which elicited happiness from his fans. He said that his life has been amazing after being clean.

Despite the pandemic, Arroyave has remained unwavering in her efforts to maintain her husband's health. She said she was one of the many individuals who adhered to strict health guidelines.

She said they had been cooped up in their home for thirteen months. As soon as it was safe for them to do so, they made their way to Hopkins' hometown in Wales and maintained their isolation there.

ANTHONY HOPKINS WAS MARRIED TWICE BEFORE STELLA ARROYAVE AND HAS AN ESTRANGED DAUGHTER

Before meeting Arroyave, Hopkins had already been married twice. He was first married to Petronella Barker from 1966 until 1972. Baker, like Hopkins, is a brilliant actress.

She performed on the British stage in the late 1960s and 1970s before making her television debut. She was part of the English Stage Company and National Theatre company.

Barker and Hopkins share an only daughter named Abigail Hopkins, who has followed in their footsteps in acting. She's also a musician. They welcomed their daughter on August 20, 1968.

Shortly after he and his first wife divorced, he married his second wife, Jennifer Lynton, who worked as a production assistant. Their relationship deteriorated as Hopkins' fame grew, and they split up in 2002.

Hopkins previously admitted that he had difficulty initiating and maintaining relationships, especially with his daughter. Because of this, he has trouble communicating with his only daughter when he and Baker split up.

Abigail's life spiraled downwards, and she physically and emotionally abused herself. She blamed her father for everything terrible that had occurred to her. She said she was angry when he abandoned her and her mother.

The rift between Hopkins and Abigail has never been resolved, but he could understand why she might be furious with him. In the past, he described himself as "selfish" and was never a good father and husband.

Twenty years have passed, and he still hasn't gotten in touch with his daughter. Abigail admitted that the only time she would see her father would be once a year and that she would feel sorry and have to continue living without her father.

They briefly reconnected in the 1990s when Abigail took minor roles in two of Hopkins' critically-acclaimed movies: the 1993 films "Remains of The Day" and "Shadowlands."

Abigail has found success in several films and television documentaries. Meanwhile, the veteran actor remarked that there are things he wishes he could change, but he must continue living with his life since he cannot go back in time.

Hopkins has known for a very long time that their relationship is beyond repair. Despite their estrangement, he continues to love his daughter from afar. He only wants Abigail to be happy wherever life takes her.