In a development that has sent shockwaves through Hollywood, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck have announced their decision to divorce, just two years after their high-profile marriage. The singer and actress, known for her multifaceted career and high-profile relationships, filed for divorce on Tuesday in the Los Angeles County Superior Court.
Lopez and Affleck, who became known as “Bennifer” during their initial romance in the early 2000s, officially tied the knot in a Las Vegas ceremony in July 2022. This was followed by a more elaborate wedding celebration in Georgia the following month. Their reunion was celebrated as a romantic fairy tale, rekindling a relationship that had once captivated the public’s imagination.
The couple first met while working together on the 2003 crime caper “Gigli”. Their relationship blossomed quickly, and they were engaged by late 2002. However, they called off their engagement and split in early 2004. Nearly two decades later, they reignited their romance, which many saw as a testament to their enduring connection. In 2022, Lopez reflected on their journey, saying, “Love is beautiful. Love is kind. And it turns out love is patient. Twenty years patient.”
Despite the optimism that surrounded their reunion, the marriage has ended in divorce. According to court filings, Lopez has initiated the legal process to dissolve their marriage without specifying details about a prenuptial agreement. The documents reveal that Lopez and Affleck, both prominent figures in the entertainment industry, will need to share comprehensive financial information, including current income, expenses, properties, and debts.
A critical aspect of the court proceedings involves both parties being required to disclose any financial changes until a final agreement is reached. Lopez has been given 60 days to file her financial disclosure, and Affleck will have an additional 60 days to submit his own information following Lopez’s filing. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in court-imposed sanctions.
Rumors of trouble in paradise had circulated for months leading up to this announcement. The couple reportedly listed their Beverly Hills mansion for sale at $65 million and were seen separately, often without their wedding rings. These signs, coupled with ongoing media speculation, foreshadowed the eventual split.
Ben Affleck, a two-time Oscar winner, was previously married to actress Jennifer Garner, whom he met on the set of the 2001 film “Pearl Harbor”. The couple divorced in 2015 after a decade of marriage and share three children. For Lopez, this divorce marks her fourth marriage. She was previously married to Cuban-born waiter Ojani Noa, her backup dancer Cris Judd, and singer Marc Anthony, with whom she has twins. Lopez was also engaged to former New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez.
