Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck through the years

Tracing Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck's iconic romance: here’s a complete relationship timeline

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck's romance has been a Hollywood epic, spanning over two decades since its start in 2002. 

Spanning over two decades,  the tumultuous romance has been filled with ups and downs, breakups, and second chances. Known collectively as ‘Bennifer,’

Here's a timeline of everything we know about Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez’s relationship: 

 

Early 2002: The First Meeting
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck first met on the set of Gigli, while Lopez was still married to her second husband, Cris Judd. 

Their chemistry was undeniable and quickly led to a burgeoning romance.

 

July 2002: Public Romance Begins
After separating from Judd, Lopez was publicly linked to Affleck, sharing a kiss at her surprise 32nd birthday party, marking the beginning of their highly publicised relationship.

 

November 2002: Engagement
The romance quickly escalated, and Affleck proposed to Lopez in a dramatic fashion. "It’s just a blanket, a quilt of rose petals, all over the whole entire house,” Lopez described the proposal.

She accepted a 6.1-carat pink diamond ring, sparking a frenzy of media attention.

 

September 2003: Wedding Postponed
Due to overwhelming media attention, the couple postponed their wedding. 

“Due to the excessive media attention surrounding our wedding, we have decided to postpone the date," they announced, hinting at the pressures that would later contribute to their initial breakup.

 

January 2004: Breakup
The relationship succumbed to the intense public scrutiny, and Lopez and Affleck parted ways. The split was confirmed by Lopez’s representative: “I am confirming the reports that Jennifer Lopez has ended her engagement to Ben Affleck.”

 

2016: Reflections on Genuine Love
Lopez opened up about their past relationship in a 2016 interview, reflecting on the genuine love and issues of timing that defined their initial romance. She criticized the media's role in adding pressure to their relationship.

 

May 2021: Rekindled Romance
Years after their respective divorces, the couple reunited, sparking "Bennifer 2.0." They were spotted together in Montana, "Ben and Jen spent several days together in Montana. It was just the two of them on vacation together."

 

June 2021: Officially Back Together
Their rekindled romance was officially confirmed. "Jen and Ben are both very happy with each [other] and are excited to see where the relationship goes. They are full-on dating and very happy together,” a source reported.

 

July 2022: Marriage
Their romance led them back to the altar, where they were married in a Las Vegas ceremony, followed by a grand celebration at Affleck's Georgia estate.

 

August 2022: Savannah Wedding
Lopez and Affleck exchanged vows in a stunning ceremony in Savannah, Georgia, wearing Ralph Lauren. Lopez later described the day as healing old wounds and lifting past burdens.

 

December 2022: Name Change and New Traditions
Lopez legally changed her name to "Mrs. Affleck," which she described as a romantic and powerful move. The couple celebrated their first Christmas as a blended family, enjoying the festivities and the joy of their united families.

 

2023: Signs of Trouble

Despite joyful public appearances, rumors of trouble surfaced, with a source noting, “They just couldn’t make it work,” hinting at possible talks of divorce. This was compounded by their increasingly separate public appearances.

 

February 2023: Valentine's Day Tattoos
The couple celebrated Valentine's Day by getting matching tattoos, symbolizing their commitment to each other.

 

December 2023: 

A source revealed to Entertainment Tonight the secret to Lopez and Affleck's successful relationship: "Jen and Ben always make sure to set aside time for each other every day,” they noted. “Whether they are physically together or they are traveling and in different places for work, their commitment to one another and carving out time as a couple are major pillars in making things work.”

 

February 2024: 

While promoting her new album, Lopez shared with ET how reuniting with Affleck reignited her creative spark. 

“When Ben and I got back together, it was just like, ‘I want to make music again, I want to get back in the studio,'” she expressed. “I was very, very inspired.” Affleck noted, “We’re just two people with different kinds of approaches trying to learn to compromise.” Lopez praised his support, acknowledging his discomfort.

 

March 2024: 

On March 16, Lopez and Affleck took his 12-year-old son, Samuel, and a friend to see the Los Angeles Lakers face the Golden State Warriors. The couple enjoyed the game courtside, holding hands throughout the event.

 

May 2024: 

Despite rumours of marital troubles, Affleck showed unwavering support for Lopez following the mixed reactions to her album and accompanying film. They both acknowledged the inherent pressures of their careers but continued to support and uplift each other.

 

May 2024: Met Gala Appearance
Lopez attended the Met Gala as a co-chair, alone, due to Affleck's filming commitments in Los Angeles for "The Accountant 2."

 

This strain seems to echo past challenges, as reflected in Lopez’s recent documentary, "The Greatest Love Story Never Told," where she discusses the complexities of their relationship.

Despite their efforts, including attending couples therapy, the source suggested that a divorce might be inevitable. "If things continue the way they are going at the moment, there is a major possibility that we could be reporting on a possible divorce soon," the insider concluded.