Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck's Relationship Timeline

Mar. 15, 2025

Jennifer LopezandBen Affleck’s love story has come to an end — again.

On Aug. 20, 2024, theMarry Meactressfiled for divorcefrom Affleck. The news came after months ofmarital strife, which resulted in the coupleliving apartand focusing on their “separate lives.” The former couple’sdivorce was finalized20 weeks later in January 2025.

Affleck and Lopez initially met in 2002. After ending their engagement in 2004, they both pursued other relationships and started families of their own.

The “On the Floor” singer was married toMarc Anthonyfrom 2004 to 2014, and they are parents to twinsMax and Emme. Meanwhile, theDeep Wateractor was married toJennifer Garnerfrom 2005 to 2018, and they have three kids together, daughters Violet and Seraphina and son Samuel.

Momodu Mansaray/Getty Images

In April 2021, the pair were spotted together for the first time in over a decade, sparking relationship rumors. Lopez and Affleck eventually went public with their rekindled romance andwed in July 2022.

From the beginning of “Bennifer” to their second engagement, here’s a complete breakdown ofJennifer LopezandBen Affleck’s relationship.

Early 2002: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck first meet

Ben Affleck, Jennifer Lopez.Getty

Lopez and Affleck first met in 2002 on the set of their movieGigli, which came out the following year. At the time, Lopez was married to her second husband,Cris Judd, though they eventually divorced.

Lopeztold PEOPLE in 2016, “I really felt like when I met Ben, ‘Okay, this is it.’ "

The duo quickly became one of the biggest couples in Hollywood and one of the first to receive a hybrid couple name: “Bennifer.”

November 2002: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck get engaged

Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck.getty

In a November 2002 interview withDiane Sawyer, Lopez revealed her engagement to Affleck, describing it as “traditional, but also in a very spectacular way, as of course Ben would do it … it was very, very beautiful.”

PEOPLE reported at the time thatAffleck proposed with a custom-made Harry Winston pink-diamond solitaire ringhe chose himself.

In her interview with Sawyer, Lopez described her then-fiancé as “brilliantly smart … Loving. Charming. Affectionate,” adding that her mother approved.

“And I just admire him in every way,” she said.

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez in 2002.getty

She also acknowledged that some people viewed their relationship as unlikely, but pointed out that she and the actor had bonded over similar upbringings.

“We’ve talked about this so many times, and we talked about how people kind of see him with … one type of person and me with another type of person, and the two of us together is like, ‘How did that happen?'” she said.

Lopez added, “And how we’re probably more alike and from the same kind of background … same kind of upbringing and same kind of family and same kind of house.”

Early 2003: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck face tabloid frenzy

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck in 2002.getty

Lopez even acknowledged their notoriety in the music video for her song"Jenny from the Block,“which featured paparazzi shots of herself and Affleck doing everything from pumping gas to lounging on a yacht together.

“We didn’ttryto have a public relationship,” Lopez told PEOPLE in 2016. “We just happened to be together at the birth of the tabloids, and it was like ‘Oh my God.’ It was just a lot of pressure.”

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck in 2002.DOUG KANTER/AFP via Getty

Lopez toldInStylethat the media circus surrounding herrelationship with Affleck was “just crazy.”

“Now at least I can show you who I am a little bit,” she said. “Back then you just believed anything you read on the cover of a tabloid. Many times it wasn’t true, or it was like a third of the truth.”

In aJanuary 2021 podcast interview, Affleck reflected on how rude media coverage of Lopez was when they were together.

“People were so f—- mean about her — sexist, racist. Ugly, vicious s— was written about her in ways that if you wrote it now you would literally be fired for saying those things you said,” he said. “Now it’s like, she’s lionized and respected for the work she did, where she came from, what she accomplished — as well she f—– should be! I would say you have a better shot, coming from the Bronx, of ending up as like [Justice Sonia] Sotomayor on the Supreme Court than you do of havingJennifer Lopez’s career and being who she is at 50 years old today.”

August 1, 2003: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck star in the filmGigli

September 10, 2003: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck postpone wedding

Just days before Lopez and Affleck were set to be married in Santa Barbara on Sept. 14, 2003,the couple announced in a statementthat they would be postponing their marriage. Lopez and Affleck cited the intense media spotlight as the reason for the postponement.

“Due to the excessive media attention surrounding our wedding, we have decided to postpone the date,” Affleck and Lopez said in the statement. “When we found ourselves seriously contemplating hiring three separate ‘decoy brides’ at three different locations, we realized that something was awry.”

“We felt what should have been a joyful and sacred day could be spoiled for us, our families and our friends,” they added.

January 2004: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck break up

PEOPLE previously reportedthat after briefly splitting up in the wake of the canceled wedding, the duo rekindled their relationship, but officially called it quits in January 2004. The intense media attention is largely said to have been a major factor in their breakup.

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez in 2002.Jim Spellman/WireImage

“Jennifer Lopezhas ended her engagement toBen Affleck. At this difficult time, we ask that you respect her privacy,” Lopez’s rep said at the time, while Affleck’s rep added, “I am not going to confirm anything about his personal life. We don’t want to get dragged into quicksand. Everybody wants a war. It’s not happening from our side.”

In her interview with PEOPLE in 2016, Lopez said that despite their split, there was “genuine love” between herself and Affleck.

“I think different time different thing, who knows what could’ve happened, but there was a genuine love there,” she said.

March 26, 2004: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck star in the filmJersey Girl

Jersey Girl, the second film starring Lopez and Affleck, was released in March 2004 — two months after the couple split. Filmmaker Kevin Smith, who wrote and directed the movie,would claim years laterthat he came up with the “Bennifer” nickname during the film’s production.

2015-2020: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck remain friends

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Lopez and Affleck remained supportive of one another in the years following their split.

In 2020, Affleck showed his support for Lopez’s acting career, saying that sheshould have been nominated for an Oscarfor her role inHustlers.

“She should have been nominated. She’s the real thing,” Affleck toldNew York TimesreporterBrooks Barnes. “I keep in touch periodically with her and have a lot of respect for her. How awesome is it that she had her biggest hit movie at 50? That’s f—— baller.”

April 2021: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck rekindle their relationship

Ben Affleck (L); Jennifer Lopez.getty (2)

“They are friends. They have always been friends and they have seen each other through the years,” a source told PEOPLE.

Another source told PEOPLE, “They have a great time hanging out. … It’s been years since they caught up properly. They have lots to talk about. They plan on hanging out again.”

Less than a week later, the two were spotted in Montana together. Sources told PEOPLE they were pictured riding in a car together near a resort in Big Sky, where Affleck has a home.

“[Jennifer] spentseveral days with Ben out of town. They have a strong connection. It’s all been quick and intense, but Jennifer is happy,” a source told PEOPLE.

July 24, 2021: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck go Instagram official

In July 2021, Lopez posted a carousel of photos on Instagram in honor ofher 52nd birthday. Grouped in the mix of bikini and boat pictures, the final photo in the roundup showed Lopez and Affleck kissing.

This marked the first time the couple personally posted about each other on social media.

September 10, 2021: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck walk their first red carpet since rekindling their romance

Stefania D’Alessandro/Getty

At theVenice Film Festival in September 2021, the duo made returned to the red carpet for the first time since reuniting. It was a big night for the two, but especially for Affleck as it was the premiere of his film,The Last Duel.

The couple marked another major milestone later that month when they attended their firstMet Galatogether on Sept. 13 at theMetropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute Gala. Not only did Affleck and Lopez stun in Ralph Lauren, but they shared apassionate kiss through their masks.

February 8, 2022: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck attend theMarry Mepremiere

Steve Granitz/FilmMagic

Lopez and Affleck kept the red carpet circuit going into the new year, as they appeared at theMarry Mepremierein Los Angeles on Feb. 8, 2022. The singer, who stars in the film, went dressed in all white as a playful nod to the movie’s romantic theme.

February 2022: Jennifer Lopez opens up about Ben Affleck romance in PEOPLE’s Love Issue

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez.Steve Granitz/FilmMagic

Lopez chatted withPEOPLE for the 2022 Love Issue, opening up about the loves in her life — ranging from her kids to her rekindled relationship with Affleck.

“I feel so lucky and happy and proud to be with him,” Lopez said of her rekindled romance with Affleck, adding, “It’s a beautiful love story that we got a second chance.”

April 2022: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck are engaged (again)!

Congratulations!The pair got engaged in April 2022, a rep for Lopez confirmed to PEOPLE. Lopez shared the news in herOn the JLo newsletterafter she was photographed wearing what appeared to be an engagement ring earlier in the month.

Lopez teased the “major announcement” with a video on Twitter that same night. “So I have a really exciting and special story to share…” Lopez told her followers. She also added a diamond ring emoji to her Twitter handle.

July 16, 2022: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck get married

FromMarry Meto married!On July 17, Lopez confirmedin her On The JLo newsletter that she and Affleckwed in Las Vegas the night prior. In her post, she detailed the “best night ever” and indicated that the couple’s children were “the best witnesses.”

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez.On The JLO

“It’s a beautiful outcome that this has happened in this way at this time in our lives where we can really appreciate and celebrate each other and respect each other,” continued Lopez. “We always did, but we have even more of an appreciation because we know that life can take you in different directions.”

She added, “We have been in the game in the public eye long enough to know who we are as people and what really matters and what doesn’t matter. We have kids and we respect each other. … We really live our lives in a way we can be proud of and our kids can be proud of you. We’re just operating from a place of love and respect for everyone in our lives and that is very important to us. We know what the truth is [and] we hold it sacred.”

August 20, 2022: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck celebrate their marriage with friends and family in Georgia

A month after marrying in Las Vegas, Affleck and Lopez celebrated their nuptials with aceremony in Georgiain front of friends and family.

Celebrities includingMatt Damon, Kevin Smith, Jason Mewes and top Hollywood talent agent Patrick Whitesell attended the star-studded event, which took place on the grounds of Affleck’s 87-acre compound outside Savannah. Podcaster and life coach Jay Shetty officiated the ceremony.

Lopez looked regal in a whiteRalph Lauren gownwith cap sleeves, an open-back cutout and a flowing train with ruffle detailing. A sheer cathedral-length veil completed the stunning bridal look. Meanwhile, Affleck looked dapper in a white tuxedo jacket with black trousers and a classic bowtie.

Guests were photographed wearing all-white, but left the ceremony with a new accessory — the couple sent each attendee home with astraw gift bagfeaturing their monogrammed initials.

August 2022: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck enjoy an Italian honeymoon

Lopez and Affleck set out for a romantic Italian getaway after their Georgia wedding ceremony.

The pair were seen enjoying a romantic dinner at a historic hotel on Lake Como, Italy. A source who spotted the pair at the restauranttold PEOPLE, “They were attentive only to each other, didn’t have eyes for anything else.”

The insider added, “They seemed to very much enjoy the evening, as they arrived when the sun was still high and stayed on well after dark.”

The next day, the newlyweds had a low-key visit to the lakeside town of Menaggio. “They just queued up for ice cream like everyone else, and wandered into shops. They acted normally, even if they had bodyguards with them,” another source said.

The pair also made time to pose with fans outside one shop, with a different source telling PEOPLE, “They were very kind and available with all their fans.”

September 1, 2022: Jennifer Lopez shares details and pictures from her Georgia wedding with Ben Affleck

Lopezshared detailsfrom her dreamy Georgia wedding ceremony, along with professional photos, in hernewsletter. The singer wrote about her big day, including the moment she walked down the “aisle that would lead me toward the rest of my life.”

“When he saw me appear at the top of the stairs that moment it both made absolute sense while seeming still impossibly hard to believe, like the best dream, where all you want is never to awaken,” Lopez wrote. “I would have had many of the same thoughts probably had I not been focusing so hard on not tripping over my dress, but when I got close enough to see his face, it made the same wonderful sense to me.”

“Some old wounds were healed that day and the weight of the past finally lifted off our shoulders,” Lopez continued. “Full-circle — and not at all the way we planned it. Better.”

Lopez also showed off snaps from the celebration, including one of the newlyweds walking up the aisle together, a photo of the duo holding each other under a sign that says “Mr. and Mrs. Affleck” and a romantic picture of the two leaning in for a kiss.

November 8, 2022: Jennifer Lopez says she took Ben Affleck’s last name

Amy Sussman/Getty

Lopez revealed that shechanged her last nameafter marrying Affleck during an interview withVogue. She explained that “people are still going to call meJennifer Lopez,” but her legal name “will be Mrs. Affleck because we’re joined together.”

“We’re husband and wife. I’m proud of that. I don’t think that’s a problem,” the actress added. She then laughed when asked whether she’d ever want Affleck to take her last name. As she explained, “No! It’s not traditional. It doesn’t have any romance to it.”

November 28, 2022: Jennifer Lopez says calling off her wedding to Ben Affleck nearly 20 years ago was the “biggest heartbreak” of her life

While chatting with Zane Lowe on Apple Music 1, Lopezopened up about her and Affleck’s breakupin 2004.

“It was so painful after we broke up,” she said. “Once we called off that wedding 20 years ago, it was the biggest heartbreak of my life. I honestly felt like I was going to die. It sent me on a spiral for the next 18 years where I just couldn’t get it right. But now, 20 years later, it does have a happy ending. It has the most would-never-happen-in-Hollywood ending.”

The singer went on to talk about her new album,This is Me…Now, which she hopes will inspire others not to give up on love.

“True love does exist and some things do last forever and that’s real. I want to put that message out into the world and that does take a lot of vulnerability,” Lopez said, adding that Affleck “loves” the album. “He’s my biggest fan, which is awesome, and supporter. When he came back into my life again, the same thing happened where I felt so inspired and so overtaken with emotion that it was just pouring out of me.”

January 16, 2023: Jennifer Lopez reflects on moving in with Ben Affleck

Lopez talked aboutliving with Affleckduring an appearance onToday. “We moved in together, the kids moved in together, so it’s been like a really kind of emotional transition,” the actress said. “But at the same time … all your dreams coming true, it’s just been a phenomenal year.”

Of 2022, she said, “Best year, I think, since my kids were born.”

February 5, 2023: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck attend the Grammy Awards together

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck at the Grammys on Feb. 5.Kevin Mazur/Getty

Affleck made headlines for looking painfully bored at the award show. Memes popped up all over the internet — and Lopez got in on the fun. She shared a photo of a solemn-looking Affleck from his new movie,AIR, in which he plays Nike, Inc. co-founder, Philip Knight.

“My husband’s happy face,” she captioned the image on Instagram.

February 14, 2023: Jennifer Lopez reveals she and Ben Affleck got coordinating tattoos

Lopez revealed in an Instagram post that she and Affleckgot romantic couple tattoos. In one photo, theactress could be seen taking a mirror selfie to show off her new ink, which sits on her ribcage. The tattoo includes an infinity sign with an arrow as well as what appears to be “Jennifer” and “Ben” written in cursive.

Lopez also shared a photo of Affleck’s tattoo, which has two arrows crossing one another. It features the letter “J” above the crossed arrows and the letter “B” below.

“Commitment ♾️,” theShotgun Weddingstar wrote in the caption. “Happy Valentine’s Day my love 🤍.”

March 16, 2023: Ben Affleck says his “brilliant” wife Jennifer Lopez helped him prepare for hisAirrole

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck.Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Affleck plays the co-founder of Nike in his upcoming filmAir. Ahead of filming, he leaned on Lopez to educate him about fashion.

“Oh, my God,she’s brilliant,” he toldThe Hollywood Reporter. “She is incredibly knowledgeable about the way fashion evolves through the culture as a confluence of music, sports, entertainment and dance.”

February 11, 2024: Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez team up for Dunkin' Super Bowl commercial

During the 2024 Super Bowl, Affleck unveiled a new Dunkin' ad that featured Lopez andseveral celebrity cameos. In the ad,Affleck storms into the studiowhere his then-wife is working on her new albumThis Is Me… Nowto unveil the hilarious song he and the “Dunkings” put together about Dunkin’.

February 13, 2024: Jennifer Lopez talks about collaborating with Ben Affleck onThis Is Me… Now: A Love Story

Lionel Hahn/WireImage

At the premiere of Lopez’s musical documentary,This Is Me… Now: A Love Story, she talked about theencouragement Affleck gave heras they worked on the film together.

“I was like, ‘I don’t write, I don’t do this.’ He was like, ‘You do, you write, you direct, you produce, you choreograph, you do all the things,’ ” she said of their conversation. “‘Start stepping into that, start owning a little bit of who you are.’ ”

Director Dave Meyers told PEOPLE that he believed Lopez and Affleck’s style of collaboration is similar to how they work together as a couple.

“I made a funny joke that Jen is likeReturn of the JediLuke Skywalker, and Ben’s like Obi-Wan. It was really beautiful to watch how she would listen to the things that he would say,” Meyers said at the premiere. “We were there in their kitchen, in his office late at night, and it was just really nice to see that he cared and always was supportive.”

May 17, 2024: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck aren’t photographed together for 47 days

Reports of tension in Lopez and Affleck’s marriage continued to build asthe couple wasn’t publicly photographed togetherfor 47 days. Their lack of public appearances alongside each other fueled speculation that there was trouble between them.

The last time Lopez and Affleck were snapped together was on March 30, when they were seen holding hands in New York City. In May, amid the rumors, Lopezinteracted with a social media post about unhealthy relationships, which further sparked chatter about the couple’s status.

Multiple sources told PEOPLE that Affleck and Lopez areliving separatelyin Los Angeles. Instead, Affleck has been staying at one of the couple’s other residences as he filmsThe Accountant 2.

May 30, 2024: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck attend graduation together

Lopez and Benstepped out togetherto support his daughter, Violet, at her graduation ceremony on May 30 amid talk of tension in their relationship. Prior to that, they had not been photographed together since May 19, when they showed up in Santa Monica for another school event.

June 28, 2024: Ben Affleck moves belongings out of shared house with Jennifer Lopez amid marriage strain

According to a source, Affleckmoved all his belongings outof the house he shares with Lopez in Los Angeles.

“Ben continues to live at the Brentwood rental. He’s been there for about two months now,” a separate source told PEOPLE. “He seems okay. He’s been at his office every day and seems focused on work. He’s also spending time with his kids.”

August 6, 2024: Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez are “moving on separately”

In August 2024, a source told PEOPLE that it had been “weeks” since Affleck and Lopez had seen each other as they’d begun the process of “moving on separately.”

“Jennifer is trying to find a new home to start fresh,” the source said, adding, “Considering everything that’s going on, Jennifer is having a good summer. She’s been off and able to focus on what’s next. She’s enjoyed spending time with her kids, family and friends. She always has good attitude even when things are not perfect.”

August 20, 2024: Jennifer Lopez files for divorce from Ben Affleck

Mindy Small/Getty

Lopezfiled for divorcefrom Affleck on the two-year anniversary of their Georgia wedding ceremony. The actress filed the paperwork without using a lawyer and is technically self-represented.

“She tried really hard to make things work, and is heartbroken,” a source told PEOPLE.

October 9, 2024: Jennifer Lopez says she doesn’t regret split from Ben Affleck

During a conversation forInterview, comedianNikki Glaserasked Lopez if she regret the pain associated with splitting from Affleck.

“Not one second,” the actress said. “That doesn’t mean it didn’t almost take me out for good. It almost did. But now, on the other side of it, I think to myself, ‘F—, that is exactly what I needed. Thank you, God. I’m sorry it took me so long. I’m sorry that you had to do this to me so many times.’ "

January 6, 2025: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck finalize their divorce

source: people.com