JLO and Ben Affleck: A Love Story of Rekindled Romance and Personal Growth
Since it began in 2002, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s roller coaster love story has spanned over two decades, with proposals, breakups, and marriages to other people in between. Before the couple found their way back to each other in 2021, Lopez and Affleck were linked to other people. From 2004 to 2014, Lopez was married to singer Marc Anthony—with whom she shares twins Emme and Max–and later dated Casper Smart and Alex Rodriguez. Meanwhile, Affleck was married to Jennifer Garner from 2005 to 2018, and shares Violet, Seraphina, and Samuel with the Alias actress. He was then romantically tied to SNL’s Lindsey Shookus and Ana de Armas.
Early 2002 JLO and Ben Affleck Meet on the set of Gigli
When the co-stars were introduced, it was sparks at first sight for Lopez. “I really felt like when I met Ben, ‘Okay, this is it,’” she told People in a 2016 interview. Lopez filed for divorce from her husband at the time, Cris Judd, in 2002, and she and Affleck began stepping out together shortly after. “You can’t pinpoint it,” Lopez told Access Hollywood in a 2003 interview about when the couple first fell in love. “We became friends first. That is the honest to God truth.”
November 2002 They Get Engaged.
J.Lo confirmed the happy news in an interview with Diane Sawyer. “It’s the most magnificent thing I’ve ever seen,” she said of the 6.1-carat pink diamond from Harry Winston that Affleck gave her. The rock reportedly cost him $2.5 million.
2004 JLO and Ben Affleck Break Up
Both of the actors’ publicists confirmed Bennifer’s engagement was off in separate statements on January 22, shortly before the couple was expected to attend the Golden Globes together. The announcement came just days after the actor was spotted solo at the Sundance Film Festival, during which he told reporters, “Everything’s going along fine. We’re good,” per People. Lopez later opened up about how hard it was to cope with the “painful” breakup in a November 2022 interview with Zane Lowe on Apple Music 1.
2005 Ben Affleck Marry Jennifer Garner
Affleck, too, soon moved on. He married Garner in 2005, and the new Hollywood couple welcomed three children together over the years: daughters Violet and Seraphina Affleck, and son Samuel Affleck. The couple divorced in 2018.
2020 Affleck Reveals he keeps in touch with his Ex While Showing Support
The Suicide Squad star was all praise when talking about Lopez’s acting abilities in a 2020 interview with The New York Times, even arguing that his ex should have gotten an Oscar nod for her role in Hustlers. “She should have been nominated. She’s the real thing,” Affleck said in an unused clip from the interview, per New York Times reporter Brooks Barnes.
May 2021 JLO and Ben Affleck off to Montana Together
Nearly two decades after they called it quits, Lopez and Affleck headed to Montana for a weeklong vacation. This followed their appearances together at Lopez’s L.A. mansion the day of their departure, and at Global Citizen’s Vax Live benefit concert, per People. They really care for each other and they picked up right where they left off,” a source told E!
Jennifer spent several days with Ben out of town,” another source added. “They have a strong connection. It’s all been quick and intense, but Jennifer is happy.”
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April 2022 JLO and Ben Affleck Get Engaged for the Second Time
Lopez shared the news that Affleck had popped the question for the second time on April 2 in her On The JLo newsletter. The first post, a video message that was sent to her fans, showed Lopez showing off her “perfect” green engagement ring. In a second newsletter post, she told fans how the moment had happened. “Saturday night while at my favorite place on earth (in the bubble bath), my beautiful love got on one knee and proposed,” she wrote.
July 2022 JLO and Ben Affleck They Get Married in Vegas
Lopez and Affleck tied the knot in a surprise Las Vegas wedding at midnight on July 17. The singer confirmed the news on her newsletter, On the JLo, saying that a low-key ceremony in a chapel was exactly what the two wanted. She also confirmed the changed her last name to match her husband’s and shared a sweet photo of her in bed with her wedding band. “They were right when they said, ‘all you need is love’. We are so grateful to have that in abundance, a new wonderful family of five amazing children and a life that we have never had more reason to look forward to,” Lopez wrote in her post. “Stick around long enough and maybe you’ll find the best moment of your life in a drive through in Las Vegas at twelve thirty in the morning in the tunnel of love drive through, with your kids and the one you’ll spend forever with. Love is a great thing, maybe the best of things-and worth waiting for.”
August 2023 LPO Sings a Song on Instagram for Ben Affleck Birthday
“Dear Ben … Happy Birthday. I love you!” she captioned her celebratory Instagram video, which showed her and Affleck riding in a car and singing along to Sam Cooke’s “(What a) Wonderful World.”
May 17 2024 Reports Claim that JLO and Ben Affleck are Living Separately
Multiple sources tell People that the two are currently living under separate roofs, with Affleck staying at one of their other properties as he films The Accountant 2. Over the weekend, paparazzi photos showing Affleck without his wedding ring fuel the separation rumors.
October 9 2024 JLO Addresses Her Divorce From Ben Affleck
In a candid chat with comedian Nikki Glaser for Interview magazine, Lopez opens up for the first time about her divorce from Affleck, and how she’s come to the realization that she would rather be single.
“The pain you just went through, you do not regret,” Glaser says to Lopez.
“Not one second. 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, ‘Fuck, 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. I should have learned it two or three times ago. I get it. You had to hit me really hard over the head with a fucking sledgehammer. You dropped the house on me. Don’t have to do it again,’” the singer and actor says.
November 22 2024 JLO Says She “Let Go Of Her Ego” While Filming the BenAffleckProduced Movie Unstoppable
In a new interview with Amazon/MGM, Jennifer Lopez shares that she had to “let go of her ego” while playing character Judy Robles in her latest film, Unstoppable. The sports biopic, produced by Lopez’s ex-husband Ben Affleck (as well as Matt Damon), follows the success of wrestler Anthony Robles, who was born with one leg.
“It was an honor to be a part of Anthony’s story and to play Judy,” Lopez says in the interview, wearing a satin beige blazer. “I approached the role with a complete lack of ego where you have to go in there and have so much respect for the person you are playing because it’s her story.”
FAQs
When did Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck first meet?
They first met in early 2002 on the set of the film Gigli. Their instant chemistry led to a romance soon after.
When did J.Lo and Ben Affleck get engaged the first time?
They got engaged in November 2002. Affleck proposed with a 6.1-carat pink diamond ring, which reportedly cost $2.5 million.
Why did J.Lo and Ben Affleck break up in 2004?
They called off their engagement in January 2004 due to the intense media scrutiny and the pressures of their high-profile relationship. They had been scheduled to attend the Golden Globes together shortly before the split was announced.
What caused Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck to get back together in 2021?
After their split in 2004, they both went through other relationships and marriages. In May 2021, they were spotted together in Montana, which reignited rumors of their reunion. They spent time together, and their bond grew stronger, leading to a full reconciliation.
Final Thoughts
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s love story has been a remarkable journey, filled with passion, public challenges, and personal growth. From their initial meeting on the set of Gigli in 2002, to their engagement, breakup, and eventual reunion almost two decades later, their relationship has captured the public’s imagination. Despite both going through marriages, divorces, and personal transformations, they found their way back to each other in 2021. Their second engagement, marriage, and ongoing collaboration in the film industry underscore the resilience of their bond.
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