Jennifer Lopez has officially filed for divorce from Ben Affleck after a relationship that spanned 20 years, including two engagements and two weddings. The filing, which took place in Los Angeles on Tuesday, signals the end of a high-profile romance that has captivated the public, earning the couple the nickname “Bennifer.”
Lopez and Affleck first crossed paths and got engaged in the early 2000s, achieving fame together through films like “Gigli” in 2003 and “Jersey Girl” in 2004. However, the pressures of fame led them to part ways.
The couple reunited two decades later, leading to a whirlwind romance that culminated in two wedding ceremonies in 2022. Lopez announced their first wedding, a quick ceremony in Las Vegas, in a heartfelt message, expressing the joy and beauty of love. “Stick around long enough and maybe you’ll find the best moment of your life in a drive-through in Las Vegas,” she noted, reflecting on their simple late-night wedding at A Little White Wedding Chapel.
A month later, they celebrated a larger wedding at Affleck’s home in Georgia with family and friends. Both Lopez and Affleck have previous marriages; Affleck was married to Jennifer Garner from 2005 until 2018, while Lopez has been married three times before, including to singer Marc Anthony with whom she shares twins.
Lopez had recently hosted a lavish birthday party that was notable for Affleck’s absence. Throughout their relationship, Lopez has been candid about the challenges she faced due to the public scrutiny of her love life, acknowledging that it has made her doubt herself at times.
Affleck expressed admiration for Lopez’s talent and resilience, highlighting her recent successes and the importance of taking ownership of one’s career. Currently, Lopez is set to star in the upcoming film “Unstoppable” and recently canceled her 2024 North American tour to focus on family after feeling “heartsick and devastated” about disappointing fans.
Her latest album, “This Is Me…. Now,” was inspired by her relationship with Affleck, while the accompanying film explores the journey of love and recovery from heartbreak, emphasizing that not all love stories have a happy ending.