Ben Affleck continues to assure the public that his marriage to Jennifer Lopez is steady, despite persistent rumors suggesting otherwise. On Wednesday, the 51-year-old actor was spotted dining out with his children in Los Angeles, still donning his wedding ring, signaling an attempt to quell the speculation about his troubled marriage to Lopez.
Affleck treated his children, Violet, 18, and Fin, 15, along with their friends, to a meal at Kaz The Soba Place. The outing displayed a close-knit family dynamic, with Violet, who bears a striking resemblance to her mother Jennifer Garner, sharing a warm embrace with her father as they headed to the restaurant. Affleck appeared relaxed and focused on spending quality time with his children, dressed casually in a plaid shirt, grey T-shirt, and jeans. Violet opted for a navy jumper paired with a white and blue patterned skirt, while Fin animatedly interacted with their friend.
Meanwhile, Jennifer Lopez, 54, arrived in New York City on Monday, also still wearing her wedding ring, following reports that her marriage to Affleck has been effectively over for several months. An insider told Page Six that the couple, who have not been seen together publicly for a month, have been living separately since March.
The couple, famously dubbed "Bennifer," rekindled their romance in spring 2021 after initially becoming engaged in 2003 and subsequently breaking up in 2004. They married in a Las Vegas ceremony in July 2022, followed by a lavish wedding celebration at Affleck's Georgia estate in August 2022. Despite the persistent breakup rumors, neither Affleck nor Lopez has confirmed any split.
A source mentioned that Affleck remains "very protective" of Lopez despite the rumored separation. However, Lopez's mother, Guadalupe Rodríguez, reportedly holds a different view. According to insiders, Rodríguez is urging her daughter to leave Affleck, concerned that the singer may be losing herself in the relationship. The family believes Lopez deserves better, feeling that Affleck appears resigned to letting their relationship deteriorate rather than fighting to save it.
An insider told DailyMail.com that Rodríguez has advised Lopez to "cut her losses and move on" to avoid getting deeper into a troubled relationship. The source added, "Jennifer's mom told her, 'Cut your losses and move on' to avoid getting any deeper in this mess." This advice is driven by a belief that Lopez has wasted years hoping Affleck would be her knight in shining armor.
Despite these familial concerns, Affleck's recent public appearance with his children and the couple's continued display of their wedding rings suggest a complex and nuanced situation. The couple's history, marked by high-profile engagements, breakups, and reconciliations, adds to the public's fascination and speculation about their current status.
Lopez, a multi-talented singer and actress, has two children from her previous marriage to Marc Anthony—16-year-old twins Emme and Max. Her focus on her career and children remains a significant part of her life, even as her relationship with Affleck continues to be scrutinized by the public and the media.
As the couple navigates their personal lives under the constant glare of the spotlight, their fans and followers remain eager to see how their story unfolds. Affleck and Lopez's relationship, characterized by its ups and downs, continues to captivate and intrigue, with each public appearance and report adding another layer to their already complex narrative.