Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck attend the Ralph Lauren SS23 Runway Show on October 13, 2022, in San Marino, California. | Source: Getty Images
Lopez and Affleck’s relationship has been under the public spotlight for years. They made headlines in 2021 when they reignited their romance, nearly 17 years after they initially called off their engagement and postponed their September 2003 wedding.
Though they officially ended their relationship in January 2004, the two remained amicable. In April 2021, rumors began to circulate about their reconciliation following Lopez’s split from former MLB player Alex Rodriguez.
The couple confirmed their relationship on Instagram that July and made their highly anticipated red carpet debut at the 2021 Venice Film Festival. Lopez announced their engagement in April 2022, and they wed at the Little White Chapel in Las Vegas on July 16, 2022.
Reflecting on the event in her newsletter, On the JLo, in July 2022, Lopez shared, “In the end, it was the best possible wedding we could have imagined. One we dreamed of long ago and one made very real (in the eyes of the state, Las Vegas, a pink convertible, and one another) at very, very, long last.”
The couple celebrated a second wedding ceremony at Affleck’s estate near Savannah, Georgia, on August 20, 2022. However, since then, things have gone downhill for the world-famous Hollywood duo.
Recent reports have confirmed that Lopez has filed for divorce from her longtime love Affleck, following months of speculation about their relationship.
Most notably, she filed the paperwork on August 20, 2024—the very day of their second wedding anniversary—sparking widespread reactions on social media.
The “On The Floor” singer filed for divorce without the assistance of an attorney. It has also been revealed that the couple did not have a prenuptial agreement.
This marks Lopez’s fourth marriage to end in divorce, while it is the Academy Award-winning film director’s second. Some of Lopez’s friends are now urging her to engage in some self-reflection after her decision to end the marriage.
A source close to Lopez shared that her friends are becoming increasingly weary of her tumultuous love life. After four failed marriages, they feel that she should take a look inside and focus on herself instead of what others want her to be and finally figure out who she is and what she wants from her future.
The source also noted that Affleck has his own approach to handling the situation. “Jennifer said she was tired of being humiliated by Ben and she waited until the two-year anniversary because she wanted to sting,” the source explained.
But it didn’t affect Affleck as Lopez had intended. He had been emotionally checked out for quite some time, and deep down, she was aware of it. He allowed her to take this step so she wouldn’t be seen as the bad guy, added the insider.
Despite their separation, the couple was seen together publicly several times, with their last outing on June 2, even though they had already decided to split two months earlier. According to legal documents, Lopez listed April 26, 2024, as the official date of their separation.
The actress, who has been spotted wearing her wedding ring in recent appearances, drew attention with her outfit on the day she and Affleck split. Some online commentators remarked that she looked disheveled and out of sorts.
“Wow, divorce is harsh. Judging by her outfit the poor woman is homeless,” commented one online user. Another said, “She looks as though she went down the block and stole a homeless person’s clothes.”
Someone else asked, “So, are we calling her outfit homeless chic?” “What she did in her last day before the split is: dress like a homeless (but walk around with bodyguards),” added another. One other person remarked, “Is she doing a movie a homeless bag lady?”
On the day Lopez ended her relationship with Affleck, paparazzi in New York City captured her leaving The Whitman apartment building. Judging by the photos, she stepped out with a stormy expression, her lips tightly pressed together and her brow deeply furrowed.
Jennifer Lopez pictured on April 26, 2024, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
The movie star, who appeared solemn, was casually dressed in a cozy fuzzy sweater, oversized blue jeans, and boots. Her hair was sleekly pulled back, completing the look.
Jennifer Lopez pictured on April 26, 2024, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
Per reports, the breakup likely occurred over the phone, as Affleck was in Los Angeles filming his upcoming movie, “The Accountant 2.”
Meanwhile, Lopez was busy working on her upcoming movie musical “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” an adaptation of the iconic Broadway show. Affleck had visited her in the city just a few weeks earlier.
Jennifer Lopez photographed on April 26, 2024, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
Just 11 days before the singer ended the relationship, she was spotted having brunch at Sadelle’s restaurant with Matt Damon and his wife, Luciana Barroso, but Affleck was notably absent. The group was seen leaving the popular brunch spot, all smiles, after enjoying their meal together.
Lopez showcased her toned abs in a forest green cropped turtleneck, paired with low-waist wide-leg jeans and thick-soled brown shoes during her stroll in Manhattan. She completed the look with loose waves in her hair and natural makeup, featuring a pink flush on her cheeks and a neutral lip.
Jennifer Lopez pictured leaving Sadelle’s restaurant in New York | Source: YouTube/HollywoodPipeline
Just weeks earlier in March 2024, Lopez and Affleck were seen house hunting in New York, appearing to radiate marital bliss. The couple was reported to be in high spirits, exuding romantic cheer as they left one of the properties they toured.
Amid the ongoing divorce drama between Affleck and Lopez, their children, Fin Affleck and Emme Muniz, continue to maintain a close friendship. The two were recently seen spending time together at Jennifer Garner’s house.
In the wake of their split, it’s clear that Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s whirlwind romance has come to a dramatic end. While their relationship captivated the public for years, their recent separation shows the challenges of love in the spotlight, leaving both fans and insiders reflecting on what went wrong.
