In a move that has shocked fans and the Hollywood elite alike, Jennifer Lopez has officially filed for divorce from Ben Affleck, marking the end of Bennifer 2.0. This development comes after two tumultuous years of marriage, signaling the final chapter in a love story that has captivated the public for over two decades.
Lopez, 55, filed for divorce on Tuesday, the same day as the couple’s second wedding anniversary. The timing, however, was not celebratory but rather a symbolic end to what many hoped would be a fairy tale comeback. The singer and actress took matters into her own hands, filing pro per—without an attorney—a move that suggests she is ready to move on swiftly and decisively. The date of separation was listed as April 26, 2024, a quiet acknowledgment that the romance had been over long before the papers were signed.
The lack of a prenuptial agreement has raised eyebrows, given the high stakes involved in a union between two of Hollywood’s biggest stars. According to sources, the couple did not have one, a detail that could make the divorce proceedings more complicated. However, in a surprising twist, Lopez has waived spousal support and requested that Affleck do the same, indicating a desire to keep the split as clean and conflict-free as possible.
Rumors of trouble in paradise began swirling as early as May 2024, when reports surfaced that the couple had started attending couples therapy. Despite their best efforts, the cracks in their relationship became too deep to ignore. Affleck was spotted without his wedding ring just a week later, signaling that the therapy sessions were not having the desired effect. Adding fuel to the fire, Affleck moved out of their shared Beverly Hills mansion and was seen staying at a separate property in Brentwood, Los Angeles. The distance between them—both physical and emotional—became too much to overcome.
The couple’s marital home, a sprawling 38,000-square-foot estate, was listed for sale in July 2024, further confirming that the relationship was on its last legs. The property, which boasts 12 bedrooms, 24 bathrooms, and a full basketball court, was listed for a staggering $68 million. This was nearly $8 million more than what they paid for it just a year earlier, a clear sign that both were ready to close this chapter and move on.
As the divorce rumors reached a fever pitch, Lopez took a solo vacation to Italy, where she was seen enjoying time on a luxury yacht and attending the Dior fashion show in Paris. Meanwhile, Affleck stayed in Los Angeles, moving his belongings out of their shared home. The distance between them was more than just miles; it was the end of a dream that had been 20 years in the making.
Fans of the couple will remember that this is not the first time Bennifer has called it quits. Lopez and Affleck first met in 2001 on the set of the ill-fated movie “Gigli,” and their romance quickly became tabloid fodder. They were engaged by November 2002, but by January 2004, the wedding was off, and both had moved on to other relationships. Lopez married Marc Anthony in June 2004, while Affleck married Jennifer Garner the following year. But the pull of their past was too strong, and in 2021, they reunited, much to the delight of their fans.
However, as one insider put it, “They’ve turned the page on all the unfinished business of 20-plus years ago. They’ve seen things through to the end—and they know for sure now that they are not built for the long haul.” The insider described their split as “the most elaborate and expensive exercise in closure ever,” a sentiment that rings true given the opulent lifestyle and history the two shared.
Lopez is reportedly furious and humiliated by the divorce, especially given that Affleck was the one who initiated their reconciliation. The fact that he held off on filing for divorce, seemingly to spare her further embarrassment, only adds to the complex emotions at play.
As Hollywood bids farewell to Bennifer 2.0, the saga serves as a reminder that even the most glamorous love stories can have messy endings. For Lopez and Affleck, their reunion was a chance to rewrite history—but in the end, some stories are better left in the past.
