It’s official. Jennifer Lopez has filed for divorce from Ben Affleck after two years of marriage, according to exclusive confirmation from Closer. The paperwork was submitted on Tuesday, August 20, marking an official end to their high-profile union. The “Waiting for Tonight” singer listed their date of separation as April 26, 2024, signaling that things may have been unraveling for quite some time.
The End of a Modern-Day Fairytale
When Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck rekindled their romance in 2021, it felt like the ultimate Hollywood comeback story. Fans rejoiced as the couple tied the knot not once, but twice during the summer of 2022. Their whirlwind romance seemed like the perfect example of love conquering all odds. However, the filing now confirms that even fairytales can come to an end.
Cracks in the Relationship
Public tensions began to surface earlier this year when Jennifer, 54, released a deeply personal documentary about their love story, The Greatest Story Never Told, in February. The film accompanied her album, This Is Me… Now, a collection of love songs inspired by Ben. The project, which cost her a reported $20 million, aimed to give fans a front-row seat to their relationship. However, it seemed that not everyone was comfortable with such transparency.
Read also:Why Did Teddi Leave Lsquotrackerrsquo Heres What Really Happened
In the documentary, the pair opened up about the challenges of their relationship, particularly when it came to navigating life in the spotlight. Ben, 51, admitted on camera, “Getting back together, I said, ‘Listen, one of the things I don’t want is a relationship on social media.’ But then I realized it wasn’t fair to ask for that. It’s like marrying a boat captain and saying, ‘Well, I don’t want the water.’ We’re trying to learn how to compromise.”
Jennifer echoed this sentiment, sharing that while Ben may not have been entirely comfortable with her creative choices, he respected her enough to support them. “I don’t think [Ben] is very comfortable with me doing this, [but] he doesn’t want to stop me,” she revealed.
A Glimpse Into Private Moments
At one point in the documentary, Jennifer shared love letters from Ben dating back to when they first started dating in 2001. While these letters provided a romantic glimpse into their early days, Ben later admitted that he prefers to keep certain aspects of their relationship private. “Things that are private I always felt are sacred and special because, in part, they’re private,” he explained.
Despite their efforts to make things work, the couple’s public appearances grew sparse. After being inseparable in photos filled with public displays of affection since their reunion and marriage, Ben and Jennifer went 47 days without being photographed together starting on March 30. In Touch exclusively obtained the first pictures of the two reuniting at his child Fin’s school play on May 16, offering a brief glimpse of reconciliation.
Ben also skipped the Met Gala on May 6, where Jennifer was a co-chair. She walked the red carpet alone, and his absence left fashion reporters scratching their heads. This moment seemed to underscore the growing distance between the two.
Just one day after Jennifer was photographed house hunting in Beverly Hills on May 14, despite owning a $60 million home purchased with Ben in May 2023, In Touch reported exclusively that the couple was headed for a split. “The writing is on the wall – it’s over,” an insider revealed on May 15. “They’re headed for a divorce – and for once, [Ben’s] not to blame!”
Read also:Cbs Teases A Jawdropping Family Secret In Tracker Season 2 Finale
“Ben already moved out, and they’ll likely have to sell the dream house they spent two years searching for. They’ll never stop loving each other, but she can’t control him, and he can’t change her. There’s no way it could have lasted,” the source added.
The Final Days of Their Union
The following day, the Gone Girl actor was photographed driving away from a $100,000 per month rental home he was staying at in Brentwood, California, not far from where his ex-wife, Jennifer Garner, and their three children lived. During Ben’s daughter Violet’s high school graduation activities, the Oscar winner attended one event solo, while Jennifer joined him and his mom, Ann Boldt, for a party on May 30. However, the “Let’s Get Loud” singer left after just one hour.
The next day, Jennifer announced that she was canceling her summer tour amid her marriage crisis. “I am completely heartsick and devastated about letting you down. Please know that I wouldn’t do this if I didn’t feel that it was absolutely necessary,” she wrote on her OnTheJLo website on May 31. Concert promoter Live Nation confirmed that the tour had been scrapped because “Jennifer is taking time off to be with her children, family, and close friends.”
A Journey Through Time
Ben and Jennifer’s love story began in 2001 when they fell for each other while making the film Gigli. They were supposed to marry in a lavish, Santa Barbara, California, wedding ceremony in September 2003, but called it off just days before the nuptials. The pair broke up in January 2004.
Jennifer went on to marry fellow singer Marc Anthony six months later in June 2004. They divorced 10 years later in June 2014. Ben wed his Daredevil costar Jennifer Garner in June 2005. The pair split in 2015, and their divorce was finalized three years later.
