The captivating saga of Bennifer, the high-profile union of Hollywood superstar Ben Affleck and pop icon Jennifer Lopez, has officially come to an end. After a prolonged period of public discord and speculation, it has been confirmed by TMZ and People magazine that Lopez filed for divorce on Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court, marking the conclusion of their relationship just two years after their 2022 wedding. Their latest chapter as a couple lasted approximately 3½ years.
This marks the second dissolution of a relationship that once captured the imagination of a celebrity-obsessed culture. Bennifer, a portmanteau of their first names, became synonymous with the allure and pitfalls of celebrity romances in the 21st century. Their split, which comes shortly after Lopez turned 55 and Affleck celebrated his 52nd birthday, follows a long period of rumors suggesting that their marriage was in trouble. The breakup occurs more than two decades after their first whirlwind romance, engagement, and subsequent split.
The couple initially called it quits in 2004 after canceling their wedding due to the intense media scrutiny that had surrounded their relationship. Bennifer’s love story became a cultural phenomenon, comparable to the iconic and tumultuous relationship between Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. Their early 2000s romance set the stage for a new era of celebrity name-smooshing and tabloid-fueled sagas.
In early 2021, the world was stunned when Affleck and Lopez announced their reunion, leading to the birth of Bennifer 2.0. Their rekindled romance provided a much-needed distraction during the pandemic and reignited public fascination with the couple. Fans speculated on why their attraction endured, attributing it to the magnetic combination of their beauty, fame, and undeniable chemistry.
The origins of Bennifer trace back to late 2001 on the set of “Gigli,” a mobster rom-com that became infamous for its box office failure. At the time, Lopez was married to choreographer Cris Judd, but by the following summer, she had filed for divorce and was spotted with Affleck across Manhattan. The public and paparazzi were captivated, and Lopez’s “Jenny From the Block” music video even poked fun at the constant scrutiny. By the end of 2002, the couple confirmed their engagement, sealed with a $2.5 million pink diamond ring.
However, the intense media attention proved too much, and the couple called off their September 2003 wedding just days before it was set to take place. By January 2004, their breakup was confirmed. Both Affleck and Lopez moved on, marrying other people and starting families—Affleck with Jennifer Garner, with whom he had two daughters and a son, and Lopez with Marc Anthony, with whom she had twins.
After both had divorced their respective spouses, they found themselves single at the same time and rekindled their romance in 2021. However, many questioned whether their relationship could survive the pressures of the modern media landscape, especially in the social media age. For a while, it seemed they could, with both expressing deep love and admiration for each other in interviews. They attended red-carpet events together, despite Affleck’s often somber demeanor, which became a meme. Lopez even used her newsletter, “On the J-Lo,” to share details of their engagement (this time with a green ring) and their spontaneous Las Vegas wedding in July 2022, followed by a more traditional ceremony in August.
In February 2023, Lopez released a new album, “This Is Me … Now,” alongside a musical film and a documentary that delved into her personal and romantic life. Affleck, featured in the documentary titled “The Greatest Love Story Never Told,” expressed discomfort with such public exposure but supported Lopez as she expressed herself through her art.
Despite their efforts, the relationship began to unravel. Lopez’s album failed to resonate with audiences, and her summer tour was rebranded as a “greatest hits” show. In May, Lopez attended the Met Gala alone, and tabloids quickly noted the couple had not been seen together for weeks. Reports of tension in the marriage surfaced, and the couple began living apart. By August, the tour was canceled, signaling the end of Bennifer 2.0.
While the curtain has fallen on Bennifer’s love story, the legacy of their romance will undoubtedly remain a significant chapter in celebrity culture. Perhaps, like the great love stories of the past, the tale of Bennifer will continue to intrigue fans and observers for years to come.
