Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck's alleged tumultuous married life has their fans revisiting their romance. Ben and Jennifer got back together in 2021, almost 17 years after they called off their engagement in 2004. Termed Bennifer 2.0, the couple's reunion was nothing short of a fairytale, with a straight out of a movie proposal, and a dreamy wedding. However, over the last few months, rumours of their alleged separation have taken the internet by storm, leaving their fans perplexed. From ditching their rings to spending the 4th of July apart, there have been many incidents that have hinted at the trouble in their paradise. As the couple navigates the ups and downs of their married life, let's take a look at their relationship timeline.
Early 2002: When it all began
Pop star Jennifer Lopez and Hollywood's boy next door Ben Affleck met on the set of 'Gigli' in 2002 while Lopez is married to her second husband, Cris Judd. Despite her marital status, Ben was completely mesmerised by JLo but kept their relationship restricted to 'friends only'. But it didn't take long for Jen to feel the spark with Ben and she eventually divorced Cris, before going public with Affleck. The duo quickly became one of the biggest couples in Hollywood and one of the first to receive a hybrid couple name: "Bennifer."
November 2002: When he put a ring on it
Nine months into dating, Ben decided to put a ring on it. Speaking about her engagement to Ben, Jen, in an interview with Diane Swayer, described it as "traditional, but also in a very very spectacular way, as of course Ben would do it ... it was very, very beautiful. " In her interview with Sawyer, Lopez described her then-fiancé as "brilliantly smart … Loving. Charming. Affectionate," adding that her mother approved of him. "And I just admire him in every way," she said.
Early 2023: Bennifer ignite a tabloid frenzy
In early 2003, Lopez and Affleck ignited a tabloid frenzy and were infamously hounded by the paparazzi for photos and interviews. Lopez also acknowledged being relentlessly chased by paps in her song 'Jenny on the Block' by including real paparazzi shots in the music video. Speaking to people about their heavily publicised relationship, Jen said, "We just happened to be together at the birth of the tabloids, and it was like 'Oh my God.' It was just a lot of pressure."
September 2003: Couple postpones wedding
A few days prior to Lopez and Affleck's scheduled September 14, 2003, wedding in Santa Barbara, the couple declared via a statement that they would be delaying their nuptials. Lopez and Affleck explained the postponement by pointing to the strong media attention.
January 2004: They call it quits
Following their brief breakup due to the postponed wedding, the couple got back together, however, they formally announced their separation in January 2004. It's widely believed that one of the main reasons for their breakup was the unprecedented media attention.
2015-2020: Former couple decide to remain on cordial terms
Despite a major heartbreak, there was no bad blood between Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck. The duo remained cordial in the years following their split and became vocal about their admiration for each other as friends. Affleck expressed his support for Lopez's acting career in 2020, stating that her performance in Hustlers ought to have earned her an Oscar nomination.
April 2021: The birth of Bennifer 2.0
Following her split from her husband Alex Rodriguez in April 2021, Jennifer began spending time with Affleck in L.A. Despite their frequent spottings together, the two maintained they were just good friends, however, it all became clear when the duo went out of town to spend some quality time. Shortly after, they went Instagram official when Lopez posted a carousel post in honour of her 52nd birthday and one of the pics had Affleck and Lopez indulged in PDA.
September 2021: Couple go red carpet official
For the first time after their reunion, the pair walked the red carpet at the Venice Film Festival in September 2021. They attended the premiere of Affleck's film, 'The Last Duel,' and their PDA at the event was there for everyone to see.
April 2022: Bennifer get engaged (again)
In April 2022, the couple got engaged. After being spotted earlier in the month wearing what appeared to be an engagement ring, Lopez revealed the news in her On the JLo newsletter. She said the proposal was intimate and everything that she had dreamt of.
July 2022: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck get married (finally)
On July 17, Lopez confirmed in her On The JLo newsletter that she and Affleck called on Forever in Las Vegas the night prior. Calling it the 'best night ever', she indicated that their children were 'the best witnesses'
November 2022: Jennifer Lopez reveals she took Ben Affleck's last name
Head over heels in love and newly married, the singer-actor revealed that she decided to take Ben's last name and introduced her new name - Jennifer Lopez Affleck.
"We're husband and wife. I'm proud of that. I don't think that's a problem," Jennifer told Vogue. She then laughed when asked whether she'd ever want Affleck to take her last name. As she explained, "No! It's not traditional. It doesn't have any romance to it."
February 2023: Couple dazzle at the Grammys
JLo took to her Instagram account to drop a picture from the 65th Annual Grammy Awards. "My husband's happy face," she captioned the image on Instagram. On Valentine's Day, the couple also got coordinated tattoos. "Commitment," the Shotgun Wedding star wrote in the caption. "Happy Valentine's Day my love."
Trouble in paradise?
Two years after officially rekindling their romance, the rumours of strain in their marriage began. The footage of Affleck violently slamming a car door behind Lopez that the paparazzi captured was taken as evidence that the relationship was headed for dissolution. Lopez, however, says that we shouldn't worry about Affleck's emotional state.
June 2024: Ben moves out of the shared house
Weathering separation rumours for a year, Ben finally moved out of their shared house. According to a People source, Affleck moved all his belongings out of the house he shared with Lopez in Los Angeles.
July 2024: Couple list their love nest for sale
Months after rumours circulated Ben Affleck is no longer living with Jennie on the Block, the couple listed their palatial estate for sale. The property was officially listed for sale on Thursday, July 11th, as per People. The listing reveals that "recently renovated with the highest level of quality", the property features amenities such as a bar, sports lounge, fully equipped gym, boxing ring and courts for basketball and pickleball.
Also watch: Alec Baldwin’s 'Rust' shooting trial dismissed over withheld evidence; all you need to know about it
