Jennifer Lopez files for divorce from Ben Affleck
The famous couple are splitting after two years of marriage


What happened
Jennifer Lopez filed for divorce from Ben Affleck this week, exactly two years after the celebrity couple celebrated their marriage at a lavish party in Georgia. They had legally wed in Las Vegas a month earlier, in July 2022. The divorce petition was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, and the listed date of separation was April 26, 2024.
Who said what
Lopez and Affleck — know as "Bennifer" since they first coupled up in 2003 — had "two engagements, two weddings and headlines too numerous to count," The Associated Press said. And now their relationship is over, "or at least the second installment of it." Their 2004 engagement was called off right before the wedding, and both stars went on to marry other people, have children, and divorce.
Then, in 2021, "Bennifer 2.0 was born at the perfect moment, about a year into Covid-19, when people desperately needed a distraction," The Washington Post said. To some fans, The New York Times said, "Bennifer 2.0 represented a fantasy of reuniting with the one that got away."
What next?
Bennifer is "headed for another sunset, taking most of the dream with it, but perhaps not all," the Post said. "Check in 20 years from now."
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Primatologist Jane Goodall dies at 91
Speed Read She rose to fame following her groundbreaking field research with chimpanzees
-
Music reviews: Cardi B and Wednesday
Feature “Am I the Drama?” and “Bleeds”
-
The 2025 Emmys: A big night for newcomers
Feature The 77th Emmys were full of surprises, from shocking wins and moving speeches to a host’s charity stunt that backfired
-
Sing songs with Sandler, gawk at Gaffigan: These are the comedians to catch on tour this fall
the week recommends Laugh to keep yourself from crying
-
Television personalities who have come under fire
In Depth Jimmy Kimmel is the latest TV host to be swept up in controversy
-
Sabrina Carpenter: Pop’s clown princess
Feature The pop star shows humor in her latest album
-
8 riveting museum exhibitions on view in the fall — and well into 2026
The Week Recommends See Winslow Homer rarities and Black art reimagined
-
10 concert tours to see this fall
The Week Recommends Concert tour season isn't over. Check out these headliners.