Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck rekindled their romance in April 2021 and wed in July 2022

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s love story has been a headline fixture for two decades, capturing the fascination of fans and tabloids alike. Their romantic journey began in 2002 when they first crossed paths, marking the start of a tumultuous relationship that has seen its fair share of ups and downs.

Their initial romance lasted for two years, during which they became a favorite subject of tabloid gossip. However, in 2004, they called it quits, sending shockwaves through the media. Following their breakup, both Lopez and Affleck moved on to other relationships, each starting families of their own.

Lopez tied the knot with Marc Anthony in 2004, with whom she shares twins Max and Emme. Meanwhile, Affleck exchanged vows with Jennifer Garner in 2005, and they have three children together: daughters Violet and Seraphina, and son Samuel.

Despite their separate paths, the lingering fascination with Lopez and Affleck’s relationship endured, culminating in their unexpected reunion in 2021, reigniting the flames of their romance and once again captivating the public’s attention.

MOMODU MANSARAY/GETTY IMAGES

In April 2021, Lopez and Affleck were spotted together for the first time in over a decade, sparking relationship rumors. They eventually went public with their rekindled romance and wed in July 2022.

From the beginning of “Bennifer” to their second engagement, here’s a complete breakdown of Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s relationship.

Early 2002: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck first meet

Ben Affleck, Jennifer Lopez. GETTY

Lopez and Affleck first met in 2002 on the set of their movie Gigli, which came out the following year. At the time, Lopez was married to her second husband, Cris Judd. The couple eventually divorced in 2003, Lopez and Affleck went public with their romance shortly after.

in 2016, “I really felt like when I met Ben, ‘Okay, this is it.”

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: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck get engaged

Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck. GETTY

In a November 2002 interview with Diane Sawyer, Lopez revealed her engagement to Affleck, describing it as “traditional, but also in a 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.

“And I just admire him in every way,” she said.

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez in 2002. GETTY

She also acknowledged that some people viewed their relationship as unlikely, but pointed out that she and the actor had bonded over similar upbringings.

“We’ve talked about this so many times, and we talked about how people kind of see him with … one type of person and me with another type of person, and the two of us together is like, ‘How did that happen?'” she said.

Lopez added, “And how we’re probably more alike and from the same kind of background … same kind of upbringing and same kind of family and same kind of house.”

Early 2003: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck face tabloid frenzy

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck in 2002. GETTY

Heading into 2003, Lopez and Affleck were one of the most popular Hollywood couples to appear in the tabloids and were infamously hounded by the paparazzi.

Lopez even acknowledged their notoriety in the music video for her song “Jenny from the Block,” which featured paparazzi shots of herself and Affleck doing everything from pumping gas to lounging on a yacht together.

“We didn’t try to have a public relationship,” Lopez told  in 2016. “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.”

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck in 2002. DOUG KANTER/AFP VIA GETTY

Lopez told InStyle that the media circus surrounding her relationship with Affleck was “just crazy.”

In a podcast interview in January 2021, Jennifer Lopez expressed relief at being able to reveal more of her true self compared to the tabloid era. She highlighted the rampant misinformation and partial truths that often made headlines back then.

Similarly, Ben Affleck reflected on the harsh media treatment Lopez endured during their relationship. He criticized the sexist and racist commentary directed at her, emphasizing that such behavior would not be tolerated today. Affleck praised Lopez’s journey, acknowledging her rise from humble beginnings in the Bronx to becoming a highly respected figure in the entertainment industry. He emphasized the immense admiration and respect she deserves for her accomplishments, suggesting that her success is more remarkable than many might realize.

August 1, 2003: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck star in the film Gigli

Lopez and Affleck met on the set of the 2003 rom-com Gigli. Despite their chemistry on-screen, the film bombed at the box office and was panned by critics. called it “the Stinker of Summer.”

Less than two weeks after the film’s release, Affleck admitted on The Tonight Show that the movie “wasn’t good,” and they “got buried.” He even poked fun at the film by reading the negative reviews on the late-night show.

September 10, 2003: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck postpone wedding

Just before their planned wedding in Santa Barbara on September 14, 2003, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck made a surprising announcement, stating that they would be delaying their marriage. In a joint statement, they attributed this decision to the overwhelming media attention surrounding their wedding plans.

“Due to the excessive media attention surrounding our wedding, we have decided to postpone the date,” Affleck and Lopez expressed in their statement. They humorously revealed the extreme measures they had considered, including hiring decoy brides at different locations, to navigate the intense scrutiny.

Recognizing that the media frenzy could potentially overshadow what should have been a joyous occasion, they chose to prioritize their privacy and the sanctity of the moment for themselves, their families, and their friends.

January 2004: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck break up

Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck. GETTY

previously reported that after briefly splitting up in the wake of the canceled wedding, the duo rekindled their relationship, but officially called it quits in January 2004. The intense media attention is largely said to have been a major factor in their breakup.

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck in 2002. DOUG KANTER/AFP VIA GETTY

Lopez told InStyle that the media circus surrounding her relationship with Affleck was “just crazy.”

In a podcast interview in January 2021, Ben Affleck candidly reflected on the harsh treatment Jennifer Lopez faced from the media during their relationship. He highlighted the sexist, racist, and downright cruel nature of the coverage she endured. Affleck emphasized that the same comments made then would be completely unacceptable today, leading to serious consequences for those who made them.

Affleck expressed admiration for Lopez’s resilience and the respect she now rightfully receives for her achievements. He compared her journey to success to the improbability of achieving a career as illustrious as hers, especially considering her humble beginnings in the Bronx. Affleck underscored that Lopez’s accomplishments are commendable and deserving of recognition, asserting that she has rightfully earned her place in the spotlight.

August 1, 2003: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck star in the film Gigli

Lopez and Affleck met on the set of the 2003 rom-com Gigli. Despite their chemistry on-screen, the film bombed at the box office and was panned by critics. it “the Stinker of Summer.”

Less than two weeks after the film’s release, Affleck admitted on The Tonight Show that the movie “wasn’t good,” and they “got buried.” He even poked fun at the film by reading the negative reviews on the late-night show.

September 10, 2003: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck postpone wedding

Just days before their scheduled wedding in Santa Barbara on September 14, 2003, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck made a public statement announcing the postponement of their marriage. They attributed this decision to the overwhelming media scrutiny surrounding their impending nuptials.

In their joint statement, Affleck and Lopez expressed their concern over the excessive media attention, revealing that the intensity of it had reached a point where they were considering extreme measures like hiring decoy brides at multiple locations. This realization led them to recognize that something was amiss.

Acknowledging the significance of their wedding day as a moment of joy and sanctity, they concluded that the media frenzy had the potential to overshadow the celebration not only for them but also for their families and friends. Hence, they made the difficult decision to postpone the event in order to preserve the sanctity and intimacy they desired for their special day.

January 2004: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck break up

Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck. GETTY

previously reported that after briefly splitting up in the wake of the canceled wedding, the duo rekindled their relationship, but officially called it quits in January 2004. The intense media attention is largely said to have been a major factor in their breakup.

During the 2024 Super Bowl, Affleck unveiled a new Dunkin’ ad that featured Lopez and several celebrity cameos. In the ad, Affleck storms into the studio where his wife is working on her new album This Is Me… Now to unveil the hilarious song he and the “Dunkings” put together about Dunkin’.

February 13, 2024: Jennifer Lopez talks about collaborating with Ben Affleck on This Is Me… Now: A Love Story

At the premiere of Lopez’s musical documentary, This Is Me… Now: A Love Story, she talked about the encouragement Affleck gave her as they worked on the film together.

“I was like, ‘I don’t write, I don’t do this.’ He was like, ‘You do, you write, you direct, you produce, you choreograph, you do all the things,’ ” she said of their conversation. “‘Start stepping into that, start owning a little bit of who you are.’ ”

Director Dave Meyers told that he believed Lopez and Affleck’s style of collaboration is similar to how they work together as a couple.

“I made a funny joke that Jen is like Return of the Jedi Luke Skywalker, and Ben’s like Obi-Wan. It was really beautiful to watch how she would listen to the things that he would say,” Meyers said at the premiere. “We were there in their kitchen, in his office late at night, and it was just really nice to see that he cared and always was supportive.”