Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck, once known as “Bennifer,” have ended their relationship for the second time. On Tuesday, Lopez filed for divorce from Affleck after being married for nearly two years. Their relationship, which has been on and off for over 20 years, has left a lasting impact on pop culture.
From their first romance in the early 2000s to their Las Vegas wedding in 2022, Lopez and Affleck experienced other marriages, had children, and achieved significant career milestones. Here’s a complete timeline of how their relationship began, ended, restarted, and finished again.
2001-2002: Meeting on Set
Lopez and Affleck first met on the set of the movie Gigli while Lopez was wedded to her second husband, Cris Judd. In a 2003 discussion with Vanity Fair, Affleck said their bond began as a strong friendship because Lopez was married then. He explained that since romance wasn’t on the table, they got to know each other without pretense.
Summer 2002: The ‘Bennifer’ Era Begins
Lopez filed for divorce from Judd in July 2002. Soon after, she and Affleck were spotted getting cozy at a party, marking the start of their romantic relationship.
November 2002: ‘Jenny from the Block’ Release and Engagement
In November 2002, Lopez released the music video for her hit song “Jenny from the Block,” which featured Affleck prominently. That same month, news broke that the couple was engaged. Affleck proposed with a custom-made, six-carat pink diamond ring from Harry Winston.
August 2003: ‘Gigli’ Flops at the Box Office
Their movie “Gigli” bombed at the box office, earning just $7.2 million globally. Around this time, rumors spread that their relationship was also struggling.
September 2003: Wedding Postponed
The couple postponed their wedding just days before the big day, citing excessive media attention as the reason. They said that the intense spotlight made them rethink their plans.
January 2004: Lopez Confirms Split
Lopez’s spokesperson confirmed that she and Affleck had ended their engagement. They asked for privacy during this difficult time.
2004-2021: Separate Lives
In: 2004 Lopez married singer Marc Anthony and had twins in 2008. They separated in 2011 and completed their divorce in 2014. Affleck began dating actress Jennifer Garner in 2004 and married in 2005. The couple had three children together before splitting in 2015.
Lopez later dated former New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez, getting engaged in 2019. However, they called off their engagement in 2021. Meanwhile, Affleck had a brief relationship with actress Ana de Armas in 2020.
Spring 2021: Rumors of a Rekindled Romance
In April 2021, rumors surfaced that Lopez and Affleck were back together after Affleck was seen at Lopez’s home. They were spotted traveling together in May, and in June, the New York Post published a photo of them kissing.
September 2021: Red Carpet Return
Lopez and Affleck made their red carpet return as a pair at the Venice Film Festival, supporting Affleck’s film “The Last Duel.” They also attended the Met Gala together in October.
April 2022: Engaged Again
Lopez announced their second engagement in a video on her website, where she wore a ring with a green stone.
July 2022: Las Vegas Wedding
The couple married in a late-night drive-thru ceremony in Las Vegas. Lopez shared the news in her newsletter, calling it the wedding they had always dreamed of.
August 2022: Second Wedding Celebration
Lopez and Affleck hosted a more significant wedding ceremony at Affleck’s Georgia estate to celebrate with family and friends.
January 2023: Blending Families
Lopez spoke about blending their families, expressing hope that their children would see each other as allies and support one another.
February 2024: Lopez Releases
‘This is Me … Now’Lopez released her album “This is Me … Now” along with a self-funded movie and a documentary about her relationship with Affleck. The projects received mixed reviews, with some content becoming memes on social media.
Spring 2024: Breakup Rumors Resurface
In May 2024, tabloids reported that the couple had split, with Affleck moving out of their home and the property being listed for sale.
August 2024: Lopez Files for Divorce
Lopez filed for divorce in Los Angeles, marking the end of their relationship. Reports indicate the couple did not have a prenuptial agreement.
