Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck's fairytale romance, once reignited after a seventeen-year hiatus, has come to an abrupt halt once more. On the cusp of their second anniversary of their traditional wedding in Georgia, Lopez, 55, filed for divorce from Affleck, 52, on August 20th, shocking fans worldwide. Multiple reputable sources confirmed the news to PEOPLE, with TMZ breaking the story first.
The divorce petition, filed by Lopez herself without legal representation in Los Angeles County Superior Court, cited April 26, 2024, as the date of separation, painting a picture of a union that had quietly unravelled. Despite their whirlwind Vegas wedding in July 2022, followed by a grand ceremony in Georgia months later, the couple's union seemed to have lost its spark.
"She poured her heart and soul into making this work, but ultimately, it wasn't meant to be," a source intimately familiar with Lopez's emotions revealed to PEOPLE. "The children remain her foremost concern, as always."
Their rekindled love story, which captivated hearts after they reunited in 2021, had seemed destined for happily ever after. The pair, who initially got engaged in 2002 only to call it off the following year, had maintained a platonic bond for over a decade until fate brought them back together.
From red carpet appearances to Instagram declarations of love, Lopez and Affleck's second chance at romance seemed too good to be true. Their surprise Vegas wedding and subsequent lavish Georgia ceremony, officiated by life coach Jay Shetty, were testament to their commitment. However, cracks in the foundation began to show as they navigated their respective careers and personal lives, leading to months of speculation about their relationship status.
As Lopez embarked on her film promotions, Met Gala appearances, and nationwide tour preparations, Affleck remained grounded in Los Angeles, filming his latest project. Their differing lifestyles and growing apart physically, as confirmed by sources to PEOPLE, proved too much for their relationship to bear.
The summer of 2024 saw Lopez celebrating her birthday and their second wedding anniversary in the Hamptons, while Affleck stayed put in LA. Their shared Beverly Hills mansion, once a symbol of their union, was quietly listed for sale in June, further fueling rumors of trouble in paradise. Affleck's subsequent purchase of a new $20 million home in LA seemed to signify a definitive split.
Upon Lopez's return to LA in August, a source close to the situation disclosed that she had barely seen Affleck in weeks, and that they were moving forward on separate paths. Their divorce filing, filed without the aid of lawyers, underscores the mutual decision to part ways amicably, though undoubtedly leaving both parties heartbroken.
As the dust settles on yet another chapter in the lives of Hollywood's former golden couple, their focus remains on co-parenting their respective children and navigating this new phase with grace and dignity.
