Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck are divorcing after two years of marriage, according to US media reports. The Hollywood power couple, affectionately known as ‘Bennifer,’ reunited in 2021 after a nearly two-decade hiatus from their original romance.
However, Lopez initiated divorce proceedings on Tuesday by filing papers at a Los Angeles court, as reported by Hollywood trade publications Variety and TMZ. Lopez’s representative declined to provide a statement, while Affleck’s publicist did not immediately respond to AFP’s inquiry.
Pop star-turned-actress Jennifer Lopez, 55, and Oscar-winning actor-director Ben Affleck, 52, exchanged vows in their fourth and second marriages.
The couple first crossed paths in 2002 while filming the critically acclaimed movie “Gigli.” Their relationship blossomed into a media frenzy, culminating in an engagement announcement. However, their plans for a 2003 wedding were ultimately postponed, and they parted ways in early 2004.
Bennifer 2.0 ignited the internet in 2021 when photos of the reunited couple surfaced. Lopez shared in an interview, ‘It’s a beautiful love story. We got a second chance.’ The couple announced their engagement in April 2022 and tied the knot in a surprise Las Vegas ceremony that July.
Bennifer 2.0 officially sealed the deal the following month, exchanging vows in a grand celebration at Ben Affleck’s sprawling 87-acre Georgia estate. The star-studded event drew a host of Hollywood A-listers, including Affleck’s longtime friend Matt Damon and director Kevin Smith.
The couple, who reportedly purchased a $60 million home together in Los Angeles last year, have been facing rumors of marital troubles. These rumors began circulating in the entertainment press and on social media earlier this year.
One notable sign of potential strain was Lopez’s 55th birthday celebration, which she attended without her husband. Additionally, TMZ reported that the couple had sold their shared home, and Affleck had moved into a luxurious bachelor pad.
People magazine reported that the relationship between Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck became strained due to their differing perspectives on celebrity.
An anonymous source told the magazine, “She enjoys sharing her personal life with her fans and the world, while he is more reserved and private. This has created challenges in their day-to-day life.”
TMZ revealed that the couple’s separation date was listed as April 26, 2024, on their divorce papers and that they are no longer communicating.
Lopez has been married three times before, to actor Ojani Noa, dancer Cris Judd, and singer Marc Anthony, with whom she has twins Max and Emme.
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner, once a Hollywood power couple, have three children together: Violet, Seraphina, and Samuel.
