Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck have officially ended their marriage after a little over two years. The "On the Floor" singer filed for divorce from the "Batman" actor on August 20, which coincided with the second anniversary of their lavish wedding celebration in Georgia. The couple, who had rekindled their romance after nearly two decades apart, initially tied the knot in a private ceremony in Las Vegas in July 2022 before hosting a grander event a month later for family and friends.
According to court documents filed with the Los Angeles Superior Court, Lopez, 55, initiated the divorce proceedings without legal representation, listing their separation date as April 26, 2024. Notably, the filing made no mention of a prenuptial agreement, although sources suggest that there may not have been one in place. This development comes after months of speculation that the couple, once affectionately dubbed "Bennifer," were on the brink of splitting.
Rumors of trouble in paradise had been swirling for some time, with insiders pointing to fundamental differences between the two. Lopez is known for her love of the spotlight and her relentless work ethic, while Affleck, 52, reportedly grew weary of the constant attention that came with their high-profile relationship. An insider noted that as time went on, the couple found it increasingly difficult to communicate effectively, with minor disagreements escalating into significant conflicts. The couple's divergent approaches to fame and work eventually led them to live in separate homes, a situation that only fueled the breakup rumors.
In recent months, the Hollywood A-listers were rarely seen together, and when they were, they often appeared without their wedding rings. Last month, it was reported that Affleck had quietly moved out of their $60 million Beverly Hills mansion while Lopez was on a solo trip to Europe. The news allegedly left Lopez "horrified," as she returned home to find that Affleck had packed up his belongings in her absence—a move she reportedly viewed as a "real slap in the face."
Adding to the speculation, the couple marked their second wedding anniversary on opposite coasts, with Lopez notably failing to acknowledge the milestone on social media. This was a stark contrast to the public displays of affection that had characterized their relationship in the early days.
The couple's history has been marked by both passion and turbulence. They first met in 2001 while co-starring in the movie "Gigli" and quickly embarked on a whirlwind romance. By 2002, they were engaged, but the pressures of intense public scrutiny led them to call off their wedding in 2004. After going their separate ways, both went on to marry others and have children, only to find their way back to each other nearly two decades later.
Despite their best efforts, it seems the challenges of blending their lives and families proved too much. Lopez, who shares 16-year-old twins Max and Emme with ex-husband Marc Anthony, and Affleck, who has three children with ex-wife Jennifer Garner, appeared to maintain a cordial relationship throughout the breakup rumors. Lopez was even seen attending the high school graduation of Affleck's eldest daughter, Violet, in May, and later visiting Affleck's rental home in Brentwood to celebrate his birthday in mid-August.
The dissolution of their marriage raises questions about the division of assets, particularly given the significant wealth disparity between the two. Lopez, with an estimated fortune of $400 million, far surpasses Affleck's $150 million net worth. Legal experts have suggested that without a prenuptial agreement, Lopez's assets could be at risk, a concern amplified by the volatile nature of their relationship.