Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s Relationship Timeline

It’s been two decades since one of Hollywood’s most notable love stories first began — that being when Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck first got together.

While the pair initially met back in 2002, their rollercoaster romance has been closely followed for 20 years — from when they first started dating to their rekindled romance in 2021.

The pair initially dated for two years, stirring up a tabloid frenzy with their relationship, but eventually split in 2004. Following their breakup, both Lopez and Affleck pursued other relationships and started families of their own.

Lopez was married to Marc Anthony from 2004 to 2014, and they are parents to twins Max and Emme. Meanwhile, Affleck was married to Jennifer Garner from 2005 to 2018, and they have three kids together, daughters Violet and Seraphina and son Samuel.

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.
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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.

Lopez told PEOPLE 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.
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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.”

PEOPLE reported at the time that Affleck proposed with a custom-made Harry Winston pink-diamond solitaire ring he chose himself.

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.
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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.
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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 PEOPLE 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.”

Ben Affleck Reflects on Jennifer Lopez Romance: “People Were So F—– Mean, Sexist, Racist”

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.”

“Now at least I can show you who I am a little bit,” she said. “Back then you just believed anything you read on the cover of a tabloid. Many times it wasn’t true, or it was like a third of the truth.”

In a January 2021 podcast interview, Affleck reflected on how rude media coverage of Lopez was when they were together.

“People were so f—- mean about her — sexist, racist. Ugly, vicious s— was written about her in ways that if you wrote it now you would literally be fired for saying those things you said,” he said. “Now it’s like, she’s lionized and respected for the work she did, where she came from, what she accomplished — as well she f—– should be! I would say you have a better shot, coming from the Bronx, of ending up as like [Justice Sonia] Sotomayor on the Supreme Court than you do of having Jennifer Lopez’s career and being who she is at 50 years old today.”

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. PEOPLE 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 days before Lopez and Affleck were set to be married in Santa Barbara on Sept. 14, 2003, the couple announced in a statement that they would be postponing their marriage. Lopez and Affleck cited the intense media spotlight as the reason for the postponement.

“Due to the excessive media attention surrounding our wedding, we have decided to postpone the date,” Affleck and Lopez said in the statement. “When we found ourselves seriously contemplating hiring three separate ‘decoy brides’ at three different locations, we realized that something was awry.”

“We felt what should have been a joyful and sacred day could be spoiled for us, our families and our friends,” they added.

January 2004: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck break up

Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck.
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PEOPLE 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 Says There Was “Genuine Love” Between Her and Ben Affleck

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez in 2002.
Jim Spellman/WireImage

“Jennifer Lopez has ended her engagement to Ben Affleck. At this difficult time, we ask that you respect her privacy,” Lopez’s rep said at the time, while Affleck’s rep added, “I am not going to confirm anything about his personal life. We don’t want to get dragged into quicksand. Everybody wants a war. It’s not happening from our side.”

In her interview with PEOPLE in 2016, Lopez said that despite their split, there was “genuine love” between herself and Affleck.

“I think different time different thing, who knows what could’ve happened, but there was a genuine love there,” she said.

March 26, 2004: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck star in the film Jersey Girl

Jersey Girl, the second film starring Lopez and Affleck, was released in March 2004 — two months after the couple split. Filmmaker Kevin Smith, who wrote and directed the movie, would claim years later that he came up with the “Bennifer” nickname during the film’s production.

2015-2020: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck remain friends

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Lopez and Affleck remained supportive of one another in the years following their split.

In 2020, Affleck showed his support for Lopez’s acting career, saying that she should have been nominated for an Oscar for her role in Hustlers.

“She should have been nominated. She’s the real thing,” Affleck told New York Times reporter Brooks Barnes. “I keep in touch periodically with her and have a lot of respect for her. How awesome is it that she had her biggest hit movie at 50? That’s f—— baller.”

April 2021: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck rekindle their relationship

Ben Affleck (L); Jennifer Lopez.
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Following Lopez’s split from Alex Rodriguez in April 2021, the singer began spending time with Affleck in L.A.

“They are friends. They have always been friends and they have seen each other through the years,” a source told PEOPLE.

Another source told PEOPLE, “They have a great time hanging out. … It’s been years since they caught up properly. They have lots to talk about. They plan on hanging out again.”

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez “Have a Lot of Love for Each Other,” Source Says

Less than a week later, the two were spotted in Montana together. Sources told PEOPLE they were pictured riding in a car together near a resort in Big Sky, where Affleck has a home.

“[Jennifer] spent several days with Ben out of town. They have a strong connection. It’s all been quick and intense, but Jennifer is happy,” a source told PEOPLE.

July 24, 2021: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck go Instagram official

In July 2021, Lopez posted a carousel of photos on Instagram in honor of her 52nd birthday. Grouped in the mix of bikini and boat pictures, the final photo in the roundup showed Lopez and Affleck kissing.

This marked the first time the couple personally posted about each other on social media.

September 10, 2021: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck walk their first red carpet since rekindling their romance

Stefania D’Alessandro/Getty

At the Venice Film Festival in September 2021, the duo made returned to the red carpet for the first time since reuniting. It was a big night for the two, but especially for Affleck as it was the premiere of his film, The Last Duel.

Affleck and Lopez channeled Old Hollywood vibes as they strutted the carpet alongside each other in glamorous looks. Affleck donned a classic black tux, while Lopez wore a white mermaid-style gown, accentuated with a string of Swarovski crystal embellishments and accompanied by Cariter diamonds.

The couple marked another major milestone later that month when they attended their first Met Gala together on Sept. 13 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute Gala. Not only did Affleck and Lopez stun in Ralph Lauren, but they shared a passionate kiss through their masks.

October 9, 2021: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck attend The Last Duel premiere

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez.
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The couple stepped out in style yet again for the premiere of The Last Duel in New York City on Oct. 9, 2021. Held at Lincoln Center, Lopez and Affleck’s infatuation with each other was crystal clear as the two couldn’t help but smile wide at each other while they posed for pictures.

February 8, 2022: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck attend the Marry Me premiere

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Lopez and Affleck kept the red carpet circuit going into the new year, as they appeared at the Marry Me premiere in Los Angeles on Feb. 8, 2022. The singer, who stars in the film, went dressed in all white as a playful nod to the movie’s romantic theme.

February 2022: Jennifer Lopez opens up about Ben Affleck romance in PEOPLE’s Love Issue

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez.
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Lopez chatted with PEOPLE for the 2022 Love Issue, opening up about the loves in her life — ranging from her kids to her rekindled relationship with Affleck.

“I feel so lucky and happy and proud to be with him,” Lopez said of her rekindled romance with Affleck, adding, “It’s a beautiful love story that we got a second chance.”

April 2022: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck are engaged (again)!

Congratulations! The pair got engaged in April 2022, a rep for Lopez confirmed to PEOPLE. Lopez shared the news in her On the JLo newsletter after she was photographed wearing what appeared to be an engagement ring earlier in the month.

She revealed the exciting update in an April 8 email to her inner circle. The message to fans included a clip of Lopez admiring a huge, green diamond on her ring finger, an image of which was also shared by her sister on social media.

Lopez teased the “major announcement” with a video on Twitter that same night. “So I have a really exciting and special story to share…” Lopez told her followers. She also added a diamond ring emoji to her Twitter handle.

June 19, 2022: Jennifer Lopez celebrates Ben Affleck on Father’s Day

Affleck is father to three children with ex-wife Jennifer Garner and is also close with Lopez’s two children with ex-husband Marc Anthony. Lopez celebrated those relationships on Father’s Day with an Instagram post honoring Affleck.

Along with a video post featuring a montage of clips of the couple together, Lopez shared the caption, “Happy Father’s Day to the most caring, loving, affectionate, consistent and selfless Daddy ever.”

July 16, 2022: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck get married

From Marry Me to married! On July 17, Lopez confirmed in her On The JLo newsletter that she and Affleck wed in Las Vegas the night prior. In her post, she detailed the “best night ever” and indicated that the couple’s children were “the best witnesses.”

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez.
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“It’s a beautiful outcome that this has happened in this way at this time in our lives where we can really appreciate and celebrate each other and respect each other,” continued Lopez. “We always did, but we have even more of an appreciation because we know that life can take you in different directions.”

She added, “We have been in the game in the public eye long enough to know who we are as people and what really matters and what doesn’t matter. We have kids and we respect each other. … We really live our lives in a way we can be proud of and our kids can be proud of you. We’re just operating from a place of love and respect for everyone in our lives and that is very important to us. We know what the truth is [and] we hold it sacred.”

August 19, 2022: Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez prepare for a wedding celebration in Georgia

A source told PEOPLE that Lopez and Affleck “have an extraordinary weekend of celebrations planned” for guests attending their wedding celebration in Georgia.

“They will have a pre-wedding party, a ceremony and have lots of fun lined up,” the insider said of the romantic celebration, adding that Lopez “is ecstatic” about the plans.

The source also said Lopez’s mom and sister are already in Georgia and the couple’s kids will be part of the celebrations. “It will be a beautiful weekend,” they added.

August 20, 2022: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck celebrate their marriage with friends and family in Georgia

A month after marrying in Las Vegas, Affleck and Lopez celebrated their nuptials with a ceremony in Georgia in front of friends and family.

Celebrities including Matt Damon, Kevin Smith, Jason Mewes and top Hollywood talent agent Patrick Whitesell attended the star-studded event, which took place on the grounds of Affleck’s 87-acre compound outside Savannah. Podcaster and life coach Jay Shetty officiated the ceremony.

Lopez looked regal in a white Ralph Lauren gown with cap sleeves, an open-back cutout and a flowing train with ruffle detailing. A sheer cathedral-length veil completed the stunning bridal look. Meanwhile, Affleck looked dapper in a white tuxedo jacket with black trousers and a classic bowtie.

Guests were photographed wearing all-white, but left the ceremony with a new accessory — the couple sent each attendee home with a straw gift bag featuring their monogrammed initials.

August 2022: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck enjoy an Italian honeymoon

Lopez and Affleck set out for a romantic Italian getaway after their Georgia wedding ceremony.

The pair were seen enjoying a romantic dinner at a historic hotel on Lake Como, Italy. A source who spotted the pair at the restaurant told PEOPLE, “They were attentive only to each other, didn’t have eyes for anything else.”

The insider added, “They seemed to very much enjoy the evening, as they arrived when the sun was still high and stayed on well after dark.”

The next day, the newlyweds had a low-key visit to the lakeside town of Menaggio. “They just queued up for ice cream like everyone else, and wandered into shops. They acted normally, even if they had bodyguards with them,” another source said.

Later, Lopez and Affleck were spotted shopping in Milan. The couple were “walking around, mingling, walking in and out of shops and of course [giving] lots of loving attention to each other,” another insider said. “Every day, they are more in love.”

The pair also made time to pose with fans outside one shop, with a different source telling PEOPLE, “They were very kind and available with all their fans.”

September 1, 2022: Jennifer Lopez shares details and pictures from her Georgia wedding with Ben Affleck

Lopez shared details from her dreamy Georgia wedding ceremony, along with professional photos, in her newsletter. The singer wrote about her big day, including the moment she walked down the “aisle that would lead me toward the rest of my life.”

“When he saw me appear at the top of the stairs that moment it both made absolute sense while seeming still impossibly hard to believe, like the best dream, where all you want is never to awaken,” Lopez wrote. “I would have had many of the same thoughts probably had I not been focusing so hard on not tripping over my dress, but when I got close enough to see his face, it made the same wonderful sense to me.”

“Some old wounds were healed that day and the weight of the past finally lifted off our shoulders,” Lopez continued. “Full-circle — and not at all the way we planned it. Better.”

Lopez also showed off snaps from the celebration, including one of the newlyweds walking up the aisle together, a photo of the duo holding each other under a sign that says “Mr. and Mrs. Affleck” and a romantic picture of the two leaning in for a kiss.

November 8, 2022: Jennifer Lopez says she took Ben Affleck’s last name

Amy Sussman/Getty

Lopez revealed that she changed her last name after marrying Affleck during an interview with Vogue. She explained that “people are still going to call me Jennifer Lopez,” but her legal name “will be Mrs. Affleck because we’re joined together.”

“We’re husband and wife. I’m proud of that. I don’t think that’s a problem,” the actress added. She then laughed when asked whether she’d ever want Affleck to take her last name. As she explained, “No! It’s not traditional. It doesn’t have any romance to it.”

“It feels like it’s a power move, you know what I mean?” Lopez continued. “I’m very much in control of my own life and destiny and feel empowered as a woman and as a person.” The newlywed noted that she “can understand that people have their feelings about” her name preference, “and that’s okay, too.”

“But if you want to know how I feel about it, I just feel like it’s romantic,” she said. “It still carries tradition and romance to me, and maybe I’m just that kind of girl.”

November 28, 2022: Jennifer Lopez says calling off her wedding to Ben Affleck nearly 20 years ago was the “biggest heartbreak” of her life

While chatting with Zane Lowe on Apple Music 1, Lopez opened up about her and Affleck’s breakup in 2004.

“It was so painful after we broke up,” she said. “Once we called off that wedding 20 years ago, it was the biggest heartbreak of my life. I honestly felt like I was going to die. It sent me on a spiral for the next 18 years where I just couldn’t get it right. But now, 20 years later, it does have a happy ending. It has the most would-never-happen-in-Hollywood ending.”

The singer went on to talk about her new album, This is Me…Now, which she hopes will inspire others not to give up on love.

“True love does exist and some things do last forever and that’s real. I want to put that message out into the world and that does take a lot of vulnerability,” Lopez said, adding that Affleck “loves” the album. “He’s my biggest fan, which is awesome, and supporter. When he came back into my life again, the same thing happened where I felt so inspired and so overtaken with emotion that it was just pouring out of me.”

January 16, 2023: Jennifer Lopez reflects on moving in with Ben Affleck

Lopez talked about living with Affleck during an appearance on Today. “We moved in together, the kids moved in together, so it’s been like a really kind of emotional transition,” the actress said. “But at the same time … all your dreams coming true, it’s just been a phenomenal year.”

Of 2022, she said, “Best year, I think, since my kids were born.”

February 5, 2023: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck attend the Grammy Awards together

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck at the Grammys on Feb. 5.
Kevin Mazur/Getty

Lopez made a surprise appearance at the 65th annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 5, glittering in Gucci while handing out the best pop vocal album to winner Harry Styles. Following her award presentation, she headed back to her table where she joined husband Affleck, who gave her a sweet kiss when she was done with her stage moment.

Affleck made headlines for looking painfully bored at the award show. Memes popped up all over the internet — and Lopez got in on the fun. She shared a photo of a solemn-looking Affleck from his new movie, AIR, in which he plays Nike, Inc. co-founder, Philip Knight.

“My husband’s happy face,” she captioned the image on Instagram.

February 14, 2023: Jennifer Lopez reveals she and Ben Affleck got coordinating tattoos

Lopez revealed in an Instagram post that she and Affleck got romantic couple tattoos. In one photo, the actress could be seen taking a mirror selfie to show off her new ink, which sits on her ribcage. The tattoo includes an infinity sign with an arrow as well as what appears to be “Jennifer” and “Ben” written in cursive.

Lopez also shared a photo of her husband’s tattoo, which has two arrows crossing one another. It features the letter “J” above the crossed arrows and the letter “B” below.

“Commitment ♾️,” the Shotgun Wedding star wrote in the caption. “Happy Valentine’s Day my love 🤍.”

March 16, 2023: Ben Affleck says his “brilliant” wife Jennifer Lopez helped him prepare for his Air role

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck.
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Affleck plays the co-founder of Nike in his upcoming film Air. Ahead of filming, he leaned on Lopez to educate him about fashion.

“Oh, my God, she’s brilliant,” he told The Hollywood Reporter. “She is incredibly knowledgeable about the way fashion evolves through the culture as a confluence of music, sports, entertainment and dance.”

April 21, 2023: Ben Affleck calls Jennifer Lopez the “most gorgeous woman in the world”

Affleck was the bearer of bad news on The Drew Barrymore Show.

“Let me tell you something that’s gonna upset you,” Affleck said. “Jennifer just eats whatever she wants. Whatever she wants. She eats cookies, ice cream, everything. She works out. I work out too, but I don’t magically appear to be 20 years old, you know what I mean, with perfect skin and the whole thing.”

He continued: “There’s no taking away from the work ethic. The work ethic is real, the discipline is real, but also the superhuman thing is real. She’s the most gorgeous woman in the world, she looks spectacular.”

The Air actor went on to share what he thinks Lopez would change about him.

“She would probably want to cultivate brevity in the way I speak,” he said. “I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I go on and on and on. I talk in circles. She’s never said that to me, but that would be my guess.”

May 3, 2023: Jennifer Lopez opens up about her kids’ relationship with Ben Affleck

Lopez spoke about Affleck and their blended family during an appearance on Today. “Well, he’s a wonderful, wonderful father,” the actress and singer said of her husband. “And a father figure to [Max and Emme] as well, because he has his own three beautiful children, and then there’s us.”

“And they love him. They love him. And they appreciate him, and so do I,” she added.

June 12, 2023: Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez are seen smooching at The Flash premiere

Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Lopez joined Affleck at the L.A. premiere of The Flash, where the pair were photographed kissing and giggling on the red carpet.

For the outing, Lopez stunned in a Gucci floor-length gown, which featured a black bodice and peach skirt. Meanwhile, Affleck wore a black suit and shirt.

November 4, 2023: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck attend the LACMA Gala

Stefanie Keenan/Getty

The couple walked the red carpet together at the LACMA Art + Film Gala. Lopez dazzled in a champagne-colored Gucci gown, while Affleck looked handsome in a tuxedo.

February 11, 2024: Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez team up for Dunkin’ Super Bowl commercial

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 PEOPLE 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.”

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