The story of Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez, known as “Bennifer,” captivated the world when they reunited in 2021. Their rekindled romance seemed like a fairytale, but with Jennifer Lopez reportedly filing for divorce on Tuesday, America’s fascination with Bennifer has once again come to a somber end. The couple, who tied the knot in 2022, has officially split after a relationship spanning 3½ years.
Jennifer Lopez filed for divorce from Ben Affleck today, August 20th, on the second anniversary of their wedding ceremony in Georgia.
— Pop Base (@PopBase) August 20, 2024
She listed their date of separation as April 26. pic.twitter.com/8NlsJoSezo
This marks the second dissolution of their seemingly magical yet complex relationship. The pairing of Affleck and Lopez, which gave rise to the iconic nickname “Bennifer,” symbolized a 21st-century celebrity power couple. Their union, filled with hope and public adoration, has now concluded, leaving fans to reflect on what once was.
The breakup of Lopez, now 55, and Affleck, 52, comes after months of speculation about the state of their marriage. Their love story began over two decades ago, during a time when their first romance and engagement in the early 2000s captured the world’s attention.
In 2004, the couple initially parted ways after canceling their highly anticipated wedding. The intense media scrutiny and public pressure led to their breakup, marking the end of Bennifer’s first chapter. Their romance had ushered in a new era of celebrity couple-watching, comparable to the legendary pairings of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.
In early 2021, the world was shocked when Affleck and Lopez announced they were back together. Bennifer 2.0 emerged as a symbol of hope and nostalgia, providing a much-needed distraction during the COVID-19 pandemic. The public couldn’t get enough of their story, projecting their own dreams of romance onto the couple.
55-year-old Jennifer Lopez has filed for divorce from 52-year-old Ben Affleck on the same day as their 2nd wedding anniversary 👀 pic.twitter.com/0QOoPpYlQP
— FearBuck (@FearedBuck) August 20, 2024
Their rekindled relationship began on the set of the 2001 film “Gigli,” a notorious box-office flop. At the time, Lopez was married to choreographer Cris Judd, but by the following summer, she had filed for divorce, and she and Affleck were frequently seen together. The public’s fascination with them was palpable, and Lopez even mocked the scrutiny in her “Jenny From the Block” music video. By the end of 2002, Bennifer was engaged, with Affleck presenting Lopez with a $2.5 million pink diamond ring.
However, the pressures of fame took their toll, and the couple called off their September 2003 wedding just days before it was scheduled. By January 2004, they had officially broken up. Both moved on—Affleck married Jennifer Garner, with whom he had three children, and Lopez married Marc Anthony, with whom she had twins.
Years later, both Affleck and Lopez found themselves single again, leading to their reunion. Their renewed relationship sparked questions about whether they could survive the intense media attention that had once torn them apart. For a while, it seemed possible. The older and wiser Affleck and Lopez appeared to navigate the spotlight with grace. They attended red-carpet events together, and Lopez often shared details of their life in her newsletter, “On the J-Lo.” Their Las Vegas wedding in July 2022, followed by a traditional ceremony in August, seemed like the perfect Hollywood ending.
#NEW : Jennifer Lopez filed for divorce from Ben Affleck amid their ongoing financial dispute.
— upuknews (@upuknews1) August 21, 2024
The couple hasn't been photographed together in public since June 2.#JenniferLopez #BenAffleck #Divorce #Hollywood #Bennifer #WeddingAnniversary pic.twitter.com/wHSHNQn2rt
In February of the following year, Lopez released a new album, “This Is Me … Now,” along with a documentary and a star-studded musical film that delved into her personal and romantic life. Affleck, although supportive, expressed some discomfort with the public scrutiny of their relationship. He acknowledged the challenge of balancing a private life with the demands of celebrity, stating, “One of the harder lessons that I have learned is that it’s not wise to share everything with the world.”
Despite their efforts to maintain their love, the relationship began to unravel. Lopez’s album didn’t perform as expected, and by May, rumors of trouble began to surface. The couple had not been seen together in weeks, and tabloids reported that they were living apart. Lopez’s solo appearance at the Met Gala added fuel to the speculation. The tour associated with her album was eventually canceled, signaling that Bennifer was once again heading toward a breakup.
Jennifer Lopez’s recent divorce filing marks the official end of her marriage to Ben Affleck. Their separation date was listed as April 26, 2024, confirming that they had been apart for nearly four months before the filing. The split was further highlighted by the fact that they did not spend significant milestones together, including Lopez’s 55th birthday and their second wedding anniversary.
The financial implications of their divorce could be significant. Lopez, with an estimated net worth of $400 million, and Affleck, who earned $38 million last year according to Forbes, did not have a prenuptial agreement, potentially leading to a costly settlement.
As Bennifer’s second chapter comes to a close, the world is left to reflect on the love story that captivated millions. While their relationship didn’t survive the test of time, the impact of Bennifer on popular culture will undoubtedly endure.
