After months of speculation surrounding their relationship, Jennifer Lopez has officially filed for divorce from Ben Affleck. The filing took place in Los Angeles on August 20, coinciding with the second anniversary of their Riceboro, Georgia wedding in 2022, which followed their Las Vegas elopement a month prior.
Lopez filed for divorce without a lawyer, technically representing herself. She listed April 26, 2024, as the date of separation. The singer did not disclose if a prenuptial agreement exists, and sources told TMZ there isn’t one.
‘She tried really hard to make things work and is heartbroken,’ a source tells PEOPLE, adding that ‘the kids remain her top priority, as always.’
The split comes amid reports of the couple living separately, Lopez cancelling her summer tour to prioritise family, and the listing of their Beverly Hills home.
Their divorce marks another chapter in a high-profile love story between two superstars that has unfolded in the public eye for decades.
Lopez and Affleck’s marriage came more than 20 years after they first met on the set of the comedy ‘Gigli,’ where they played criminals forced to work together. Their on-screen partnership blossomed into a real-life friendship that eventually became a romantic relationship.
Over the years, both Lopez and Affleck married others and started families. However, Team ‘Bennifer’ celebrated when Bennifer 2.0 emerged with their reconciliation in 2021. Even the couple appeared thrilled by their renewed relationship.
In December 2021, Affleck reflected on his renewed relationship with Lopez, telling The Wall Street Journal, ‘One of the things I really value across all aspects of my life now is that it was handled in a way that reflects who I am—a person who isn’t perfect but tries very hard to be honest, authentic, and accountable. It’s hard to say who benefits more without getting into gossipy details.’
The couple first got engaged in November 2002 when Affleck proposed with a custom 6.1-carat pink diamond ring from Harry Winston. He also starred as Lopez’s love interest in the music video for her 2002 hit ‘Jenny from the Block,’ which highlighted the intense paparazzi scrutiny of their relationship.
However, just days before their September 2003 wedding, they postponed the event due to ‘excessive media attention.’ By January 2004, the couple had officially parted ways.
It seemed like a fairytale when they went Instagram official in July 2021, just months after Lopez ended her engagement to baseball legend Alex Rodriguez. Speaking to People magazine weeks before Affleck proposed again in April 2022, Lopez said, ‘I feel so lucky, happy, and proud to be with him. It’s a beautiful love story that we got a second chance.’
In 2024, Lopez released the documentary ‘The Greatest Love Story Never Told,’ which chronicles her independently produced album ‘This Is Me… Now’ and her decades-long journey toward self-love.
In the film, Affleck shared that he had learned to ‘compromise’ with Lopez regarding her desire to be more open about their private life.
Recently, the couple has been seen on separate coasts, with Lopez celebrating her birthday in late July at a Bridgerton-themed party that seemingly didn’t include Affleck.
Lopez has two children with her ex-husband Marc Anthony, while Affleck has three children with his ex-wife Jennifer Garner.
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