Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck: The Post-End Story of a Great Love Affair

Not all love stories have happy endings. The reunion of Jennifer Lopez (JLo) and Ben Affleck, which seemed like a fairy tale, did not have the happy ending that many people expected.

On August 20 of this year, Jennifer Lopez officially filed for divorce, choosing the day of their two-year wedding anniversary as a way to close the final chapter in this marriage.

According to a source from ET, JLo’s decision was not random but a symbolic act to close a relationship full of ups and downs. “I feel like I have a lot of life ahead of me, and I’m excited about it,” JLo shared about the future.

It is known that after a long time facing upheavals in her married life, JLo has begun to take the necessary steps to take care of herself. Notably, the couple did not have a prenuptial agreement in place, and JLo filed for divorce without the help of a lawyer.

This shows that JLo was in complete control of the process, not bound by Ben Affleck or any lawyer. With four divorces, this process is no stranger to JLo.

Their official separation date was set as April 26, when they were on opposite coasts. JLo was in New York, looking sad with a black Hermès bag, while Ben Affleck was in Los Angeles.

The meaning of the separation date can vary, sometimes referring to the last time the couple lived together under the same roof, sometimes marking the end of the relationship or even the last time they were intimate.

In retrospect, Ben Affleck’s absence from JLo’s “Atlas” premiere on May 24 was also a clear sign of their split. When asked about celebrating their second wedding anniversary at a press conference, JLo nonchalantly replied, “I’m doing my own thing.”

The split left many clues in the couple’s journey. Their last public appearance was on June 2, 37 days after their official split. They shared an awkward kiss on the cheek. Three weeks earlier, Ben had moved out of their $60 million family mansion and rented a separate apartment.

This past summer, JLo mostly stayed in the Hamptons while Ben stayed in Los Angeles. On July 11, they decided to sell their shared home, and on July 24, JLo threw a 55th birthday party that Ben did not attend. Instead, he was busy finalizing the purchase of a new $20 million mansion in Brentwood.

Although JLo was still praising their love in the documentary “The Greatest Love Story Never Told” in February, two months before their split, the cracks had long since appeared. Social media, in particular, became a major point of contention between them. Ben had made it clear that he did not want their relationship to become a media phenomenon, but when they got back together, he reluctantly accepted it.

It was clear that JLo always thrived in the spotlight, while Ben was uncomfortable with the public attention. On social media, Ben’s “sad face” photos became a joke, but JLo insisted: “You don’t need to worry about Ben, let me tell you, he’s fine.”

Now, without a prenup, the big question is how they will divide their assets. JLo is worth an estimated $400 million, while Ben is worth about $150 million. With such a large fortune, getting married without a prenup is like a corporate merger with just a handshake.

While their marriage is over, their careers continue to intersect. Ben Affleck and Matt Damon produced two of JLo’s upcoming films, including the musical “Kiss of the Spiderwoman” and the sports drama “Unstoppable,” which is set to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 6. Whether the two will attend together, however, remains a big question.

The love story between Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck is over, but its legacy will surely live on.