Some fairytale romances don’t have happy endings. Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s relationship, which sprouted almost two decades after their failed engagement, will always be one of the most iconic relationships in Hollywood.
The pair first crossed paths in 2001 while filming their movie Gigli and quickly began dating thereafter. Their relationship captured the hearts of fans, who affectionately dubbed them “Bennifer,” a name that became widely recognized.
HighlightsJ.Lo and Ben Affleck’s second engagement began in April 2021 and ended with a divorce finalized in January 2025.Their iconic Hollywood romance first captured the world’s attention around 2001 with the movie Gigli.In 2002, J.Lo showcased a Harry Winston pink diamond ring, confirming her engagement to Affleck on ABC.Despite their 2024 divorce, the former couple continues to maintain an amicable relationship.
After two movies and one failed engagement later, J.Lo and Ben Affleck remained good friends. They rekindled their romance in April 2021, and the Bennifer supporters couldn’t contain their excitement.
Many hoped their second chance at love would bring lasting happiness after the couple got engaged and tied the knot in 2022. Sadly, the celebration and excitement didn’t last long.
After months of media speculation, the Lopez filed for divorce in August 2024; their divorce was finalized in January 2025.
Join us as we delve into the highs and lows of Bennifer’s whirlwind romance, uncovering the pivotal moments that tested their relationship and led to its ultimate unraveling.
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A Love Story That Captivated Hollywood
J.Lo and Ben Affleck first met on the set in early 2002, and the sparks flew almost instantly. Lopez was still married to backup dancer Cris Judd, whom she divorced in 2003.
Bennifer quickly became the talk of the town, and Affleck appeared in Lopez’s 2002 music video for “Jenny from the Block.”
On November 10, 2002,ABCexclusively broke the news that J.Lo and Ben Affleck were officially engaged. The Hustlers actress spilled the tea in an interview with Primetime’s Diane Sawyer.
Opinion ofDr. Sarah Meehan O’Callaghan
We live in a world where the fairy tale romance and the Hollywood fantasy of happily ever after can be irresistibly seductive. Whatever the true depth of Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s love, they have, at least publicly, embraced the spectacle—proclaiming their relationship with the bling and fanfare of a modern love story. The symbolic dimension of romance plays a crucial role in relationships, providing validation and support from society, family, and friends. As anthropologist Claude Lévi-Strauss illustrates, humans exist within networks of symbolic and kinship ties, where public recognition of love holds meaning. However, grand gestures and wedding ceremonies can also serve as distractions, masking the complexities and challenges that true commitment inevitably entails. –Dr. Sarah Meehan O’Callaghan
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During the interview, JLo confessed that she was a romantic at heart. While some people may believe them to be incompatible on the surface, underneath, they shared the same family values and had a similar upbringing.
The early 2000s marked the birth of the tabloid frenzy, and Bennifer constantly found itself amid it all. In an interview withPEOPLEin March 2016, the singer opened up about the raging paparazzi coverage of her relationship and said that the duo didn’t actively try to have such a public relationship.
Lopez revealed that the masses left no stone unturned in spreading vile narratives that were racist and sexist, reflecting on how the times were different back then. Despite their budding romance, the duo’s 2003 rom-com Gigli bombed at the box office.
Media and tabloids played a significant role in Bennifer’s relationship in 2003, to the extent that they had to postpone their wedding, which was set to take place in Santa Barbara on September 14, 2003.
According toPEOPLE, the couple released a statement citing that the “excessive media attention” detracted from the joyful atmosphere that was supposed to surround their big day.
Image credits:Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images
Their relationship’s uncontrolled media attention and scrutiny took a toll on both stars. J.Lo and Ben Affleck briefly split up after the canceled wedding and even reunited momentarily.
However, in January 2004, according toABC, Dan Klores, the rep for The Wedding Planner actress JLo, released a joint statement confirming that J.Lo had officially decided to end her engagement to Ben Affleck.
Image credits:Kevin Winter/Getty Images
In the statement, J.Lo also remained tight-lipped about the reason behind the split and sent a clear message to the tabloids: “We don’t want to get dragged into quicksand. Everybody wants a war. It’s not happening from our side.”
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s second film together, Jersey Girl, was released in March 2006, two months after their split.
Despite their breakup, J.Lo and Ben Affleck have remained friends. In an interview with theNew York Times, Affleck praised his ex-wife for her role in Hustlers.
He also revealed that he kept in touch with J.Lo periodically and expressed disappointment she wasn’t nominated for an Oscar for her role in the film.
In April 2021, rumor mills were set ablaze again, and there was raging speculation that Bennifer had rekindled their romance.
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In the years between their first split, the duo married other people and had kids with them. Lopez married Marc Anthony from 2004 to 2014 and shares twins Emme Maribel Muñiz and Max Muñiz.
Ben Affleck was married to 13 Going on 30 actress Jennifer Garner from 2005 to 2018. They share three kids: Violet Anne Affleck, Seraphina Rose Affleck (now known as Fin Affleck), and Samuel Garner Affleck.
Image credits:Gotham/GC Images/Getty Images
A source toldTMZin February 2021 that Lopez and Affleck exchanged emails while she was filming Shotgun Wedding in the Dominican Republic.
After weeks of media buzz, fans were finally graced with a confirmation on Bennifer 2.0 — when the duo made their relationship with Instagram official.
Lopez posted a carousel of pictures on her Instagram to mark Affleck’s 52nd birthday, featuring a picture of the duo kissing at the end.
The onset of Bennifer 2.0 was filled with sunshine and rainbows. The duo walked their first public red carpet at the Venice Film Festival in September 2021 for the premiere of Affleck’s film The Last Duel.
JLo and Ben Affleck debuted their Met Gala on September 23, 2021. The couple continued to make public appearances and even professed their love for each other in multiple interviews.
Image credits:@People
In an interview featured in the 2022 Love Issue ofPEOPLEmagazine, JLo expressed that she felt “lucky” and “proud” to have a second chance at.
Inside Bennifer’s Love Story: Milestones, Music, and Memorable Moments
J.Lo and Ben Affleck got engaged in April 2022, and the former’s rep confirmed this toPEOPLE. Just a few months shy of their engagement announcement, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck officially tied the knot in Las Vegas on July 16, 2022.
Image credits:@jlo
The actress shared the news in hernewsletter, saying she was over the moon and expressed how she and Affleck were “operating from a place of love and respect for everyone in our lives, and that is very important to us.”
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In an interview with Vogue in November 2022, J.Lo revealed that she had legally taken Affleck’s last name. Though people would continue to refer to her as Jennifer Lopez, her legal name will be “Mrs. Affleck.”
On multiple occasions, J.Lo gushed about her relationship with Affleck. In an appearance onTodayLopez opened up about their blended families and how the whole process has been an “emotional transition.”
In a chat with Zane Lowe on Apple Music 1, the actress disclosed that calling off her first wedding with the actor 20 years ago was the “biggest heartbreak” of her life. The actress stated, “True love does exist, and some thingsdolast forever, and that’s real.”
Bennifer made an appearance at the 65th annual Grammy Awards in February 2023. Media outlets and meme pages had a field trip with Affleck’s evident lack of enthusiasm and bored expression during the award show.
The actor from“Gone Girl”expressed his admiration for Lopez and credited her with helping him prepare for his role as the co-founder of Nike in the film. He shared his thoughts during a conversation withThe Hollywood Reporterin March 2023.
Bennifer teamed up the following year, in February 2024, and was featured in aDunkin’commercial during the 2024 Super Bowl.
In February 2024, J.Lo released a three-part ode to her husband, Affleck. Starting with the album, “This Is Me… Now,” a detailed explanation of the reunion, nuptials, and Bennifer.
The Divorce That Shook Hollywood
No one expected Bennifer to call it quits after rekindling their romance and publicly professing their love to each other. May 17, 2024, marked the first hint at trouble in paradise when Lopez and Affleck weren’t photographed together for 47 days.
Naturally, this fueled speculation that the duo were going through a rough patch. On May 30, 2024, theDaily Mailpublished pictures of the duo attending Affleck’s daughter Violet Affleck’s graduation ceremony, momentarily putting the rumors at bay.
Image credits:Lionel Hahn/WireImage/Getty Images
In June of the same year, a source confirmed toPEOPLEthat Bennifer had been living separately for a while, noting that Affleck had moved out of their shared home into a rental in Brentwood.
Later, on August 6, 2024, a source toldPEOPLEthat J.Lo and Affleck had decided to move on separately.
The Selena actress cited April 26, 2024, as the date of separation and irreconcilable differences as the reason for the dissolution of the marriage.
J.Lo filed at the Los Angeles County Superior Court without a lawyer and requested the judgedeny spousal supportto either of the parties and split the attorney’s fees equally.
Life After Bennifer
On October 9, 2024, in a chat with comedian Nikki Glaser forInterview Magazine, J.Lo opened up about her split from Affleck. The actress said she doesn’t regret quitting with Affleck or the pain she endured while getting over it.
Image credits:James Devaney/WireImage/Getty Images
While Bennifer may not have achieved the fairytale ending many had wished for, their relationship undoubtedly stands out as one of the most iconic moments in pop culture history.
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