Why Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s Marriage Ended
Neither Jennifer Lopez nor Ben Affleck ever publicly addressed the growing rumours about trouble in their marriage, which began circulating in the spring.
However, Lopez, 55, made her intentions clear. On the second anniversary of their wedding celebration at Affleck’s 87-acre estate near Savannah, Georgia, she quietly filed for divorce.
In her filing, she also requested to revert her legal last name from Affleck to Lopez, which, according to a legal source, “speaks volumes.”
Lopez cited “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for the split, and insiders reveal that their contrasting personalities—much like when they first separated in 2004—played a significant role. “They are very different people,” shared someone close to both stars. “She’s very public and social, while he’s more introverted and prefers to stay home.”
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Another source noted that Affleck struggled with mood swings, experiencing “big highs and big lows,” leading to a disconnect between the person he presented himself as and who he turned out to be.
This emotional turbulence was a persistent issue in their relationship, according to a source close to Affleck. “He doesn’t understand how his bad moods impact those around him,” they explained. The couple, who rekindled their romance and married quickly, may have been swept up in the excitement of “Bennifer 2.0.” “It happened fast,” said the source. “They were in love with love, and who wouldn’t want to jump into that? They really loved each other.”
Despite filing for divorce, Lopez, according to another insider, is heartbroken but realistic, recognising that their marriage was beyond repair. She listed their separation date as April 26, and the couple had spent much of the previous four months apart.
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During this period, Lopez was in the New York City area filming a musical adaptation she co-produced with Affleck, fulfilling her duties as co-chair of the 2024 Met Gala, and rehearsing for her summer tour, which she later cancelled to prioritize her family. Meanwhile, Affleck was in L.A., working on ‘The Accountant 2’ and staying in a rental near their Beverly Hills mansion, which they listed for sale in July.
The couple occasionally reunited in the late spring, primarily for events involving their blended family. Affleck shares three children with his ex-wife Jennifer Garner, and Lopez has twins with her ex-husband Marc Anthony. According to a source, Lopez was still hopeful about finding a way forward with Affleck during this time.
“She tried really hard to make things work,” said the insider. But Affleck—who purchased a $20 million mansion in L.A. in July while Lopez was on the East Coast—did not seem as committed. Two sources mentioned that Affleck had been quietly spending time with actress Kick Kennedy since June, though an insider dismissed any rumours of a romance.
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Even so, Affleck wasn’t showing any signs of wanting to continue the marriage, leading a Lopez insider to remark, “It reached a point where she had to focus on herself.”
Marilyn Chinitz, a matrimonial lawyer not involved in the case, noted that Lopez filed for divorce without an attorney, indicating her desire to move forward on her own. “I think she just wanted to get it done after a lot of back and forth,” said Chinitz.
Now that the divorce is official, those close to the situation expect the aftermath to remain civil. “There’s a lot of love and respect—and sadness,” said a source familiar with Affleck’s emotional ups and downs.
–Farheen Ali
