Jennifer Lopez has filed for divorce from Ben Affleck, despite the heartfelt message he allegedly had engraved on her engagement ring. The 8.5-carat green diamond, a symbol of their rekindled love, bore the inscription "not.going.anywhere," a promise that now seems starkly ironic as the couple moves toward separation.
The couple, often referred to as "Bennifer" in the media, tied the knot two years ago in a surprise Las Vegas ceremony on July 16, 2022. The marriage, which came nearly two decades after their first engagement in the early 2000s, had been a beacon of second chances in the world of celebrity relationships. However, the fairy tale seems to have come to an abrupt end, as Lopez filed for divorce on August 20, 2024, marking the official dissolution of their union.
Lopez, 55, had previously shared the significance of the engraving during an interview with Zane Lowe for Apple Music. She revealed that the phrase "not.going.anywhere" was a nod to Affleck's emails from when they rekindled their romance. The sentiment behind the words was meant to convey Affleck’s commitment to staying by her side, a commitment that has since faltered.
Adding to the intrigue of their split is the apparent absence of a prenuptial agreement. According to reports from TMZ, Lopez filed the divorce documents "pro per," meaning she did so without an attorney, and has waived spousal support. She also requested that the judge deny any spousal support claims from Affleck, signaling that both parties may have intended to commit to forever without the usual legal safeguards.
The separation date was listed as April 26, 2024, suggesting that the couple had been living apart for several months before the divorce filing. Affleck, 52, has already moved into a new Los Angeles estate, reportedly worth millions, further indicating that the split is final.
Lopez, known for her high-profile relationships, has been engaged six times, including twice to Affleck. Their rekindled romance was highly publicized, with many fans rooting for their second chance at love. However, the pressures of public life and the complexities of blending their lives may have contributed to their decision to part ways.
Adding a layer of drama to the situation, Lopez’s ex-fiancé, Alex Rodriguez, posted a cryptic message on his Instagram Story the same day the divorce news broke. The post, which read, "You either go one way or the other, you might as well be the one deciding the direction," was seen by many as a thinly veiled reference to Lopez’s split from Affleck.
Lopez and Rodriguez, who first met in 2005 at a Yankees game, ended their engagement in March 2021, after postponing their 2020 wedding due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The end of that relationship was also widely covered in the media, with many speculating on the reasons behind their split.