Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s marriage has hit a rough patch, as Jennifer, known as JLo, has filed for divorce after more than two years of marriage. This shocking news has brought to light some surprising details, starting with the fact that JLo filed the papers on her own.
JLo officially submitted the divorce papers to the Los Angeles County Superior Court, choosing a symbolic date—exactly two years after their second grand wedding ceremony. The couple’s official separation date is listed as April 26, 2024, according to TMZ, adding more intrigue to their sudden split.
JLo’s Divorce Filing Falls on Their Georgia Wedding Anniversary
JLo’s decision to file for divorce on August 20 is bittersweet because it’s the same day as their wedding anniversary in Georgia. The couple had rekindled their romance in 2021, got engaged in April 2022, and had a surprise Las Vegas wedding on July 16, 2022. A month later, they celebrated with a bigger ceremony at Ben’s Georgia estate. In her On the JLo newsletter, JLo described that day as “full-circle” and even better than she had imagined.
The ceremony was deeply personal, with the couple walking down the aisle to “True Companion” by Marc Cohn. JLo wore not one, but three custom wedding dresses—a turtleneck gown, a mermaid silhouette, and a chandelier pearl gown, which she called “dreamy.”
JLo Filed the Divorce Documents Herself
In a surprising twist, JLo filed the divorce documents herself without hiring a lawyer, a move known as “pro per.” This suggests she wants to handle the divorce on her own. Interestingly, she also waived her right to spousal support and asked the court to deny Ben any support as well.
No Prenuptial Agreement
According to TMZ, the divorce documents reveal that JLo and Ben didn’t have a prenuptial agreement, despite their previous marriages and significant wealth. This means that any earnings or profits made during their nearly two-year marriage will be treated as community property.
Bennifer’s Marital Home on the Market
Even though JLo has filed for divorce, the financial details are still being worked out. The couple’s Beverly Hills home is up for sale, but negotiations have reportedly become tense. Both JLo and Ben are now searching for new homes, signaling the end of their shared life together.
The Rise and Fall of Bennifer
JLo and Ben, famously known as “Bennifer,” first became a media sensation in the early 2000s. Their relationship grabbed headlines as they got engaged and starred together in Gigli (2003) and Jersey Girl (2004). However, their romance ended before Jersey Girl was even released.
Over the next two decades, both married other people—JLo with Marc Anthony and Ben with Jennifer Garner—but three years ago, they reunited. Since then, they often appeared together at public events, supporting each other’s projects. Ben even appeared in JLo’s Amazon Prime Video special, This Is Me … Now: A Love Story.
JLo’s latest album, This Is Me … Now, revisits themes from her 2002 album, This Is Me … Then, which was inspired by her first relationship with Ben. Fans followed their rekindled love story through JLo’s social media and newsletter updates.
Signs of Trouble
However, in May, JLo suddenly canceled her summer tour, saying she needed time with her family—a decision that hinted at the couple’s split and eventual divorce.
Ben and JLo’s divorce news came shortly after JLo attended a Bruno Mars concert in Los Angeles on Ben’s birthday, August 15. Her appearance sparked online debate about whether she was masking her true feelings amid their marital troubles.
On Instagram, a video shared by artist Tetris showed JLo, dressed in a white sleeveless top and jeans, dancing energetically to the song “Marry You.” She swayed her head and raised her hands, seemingly enjoying herself. But the clip quickly attracted attention, with some netizens questioning her emotional state.
One user commented, “Trying too hard to look happy,” while another added, “She knew she’d be videotaped. This is attention-seeking, even for JLo.”
Some speculated that her behavior might have contributed to the marital problems, saying, “Calm down, Jen. It doesn’t always have to be a show… Maybe that’s why your relationship ended.” But not everyone was critical.
Some fans defended JLo, saying she was simply enjoying her single life. One fan remarked that she looked like anyone else who loves music and suggested that Ben, not being musically inclined, might not have enjoyed attending concerts with her. Others encouraged JLo to live life on her own terms, with one fan saying, “Be happy, with or without Ben.” Another added, “Life goes on, and she has plenty to celebrate without being defined by a man.”
JLo herself fueled the conversation by sharing photos and videos from the concert on her Twitter account. In one post, she posed with two friends, wearing large sunglasses and flashy jewelry, including a necklace with her name on it.
In another video, she playfully explained to her followers how she drinks from a bottle. “See how I do this when I drink from the bottle, very demure,” she joked before taking a sip. “Very mindful,” she added, laughing. She then demonstrated how she prefers to take small sips rather than chugging her drink all at once. “Just little. Little by little. Very elegant. Demure. Mindful,” she said, before walking off-camera.
Despite all the buzz, JLo still made time to visit Ben on his 52nd birthday. She was seen leaving his rental home in Brentwood earlier that day, dressed casually in a brown jacket, blue jeans, and sneakers. She quietly exited the house and got into a large black vehicle.
The end of Bennifer’s marriage may have been unexpected, but as JLo’s concert appearance showed, she’s determined to keep dancing and living life on her own terms.
