Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck, the Hollywood power couple who captured the world's attention with their rekindled romance, have now shocked fans by meticulously planning their divorce before the official filing. The Marry Me actress officially filed for divorce on August 20, marking what would have been their second wedding anniversary. This surprising turn of events reveals a separation that was not only anticipated but also meticulously strategized by both parties well in advance.
Sources close to the couple have revealed that Lopez and Affleck, who married in 2022 after a two-decade-long saga of love and separation, went through every detail of their split before Lopez filed the paperwork. The decision to move forward with the divorce was part of an agreement between the two, with Lopez ultimately pulling the trigger. "They had already agreed to these terms before she filed," an insider shared to US Weekly, emphasizing that the decision was mutual, though it was Lopez who made the final call.
One of the significant financial aspects of their divorce involves their $60 million Beverly Hills mansion, a luxurious property that the couple purchased just last year. After extensive renovations, the mansion was put up for sale in July with a listed price of $68 million. Despite the high stakes, the couple's split has reportedly been amicable, with both Lopez and Affleck having come into the marriage with substantial assets of their own. "There's really nothing else to divide," the insider noted. "One person doesn't want more than the other. They both came in with significant assets of their own."
Lopez's divorce filing, which she handled without an attorney (pro per), cited "irreconcilable differences" as the reason for the split. Notably, she has requested that the court deny spousal support to Affleck, despite his substantial net worth, estimated at $150 million. Lopez herself is worth an estimated $400 million and has continued to expand her brand and career during their marriage, including launching a cocktail line and working on multiple film projects.
Another poignant detail in the divorce is Lopez's desire to revert to her maiden name, a sharp contrast to the enthusiasm with which she embraced the Affleck name just two years ago. According to reports, Lopez felt it was the right time to move on, citing a lack of commitment from Affleck to make their marriage work. "She's very disappointed and sad, but Ben hasn't given her any signs that he wants to continue their marriage," an insider said. "It's gotten to the point that she just needs to look out for herself."
Affleck and Lopez's marriage had been under public scrutiny for months, with rumors circulating that the relationship was on shaky ground. The couple had gone weeks without being seen together before Us Weekly confirmed in May that Affleck had moved out of their shared Beverly Hills home. This move, followed by the listing of the property, signaled the beginning of the end for the couple.
The timing of the divorce filing has also raised eyebrows, especially given that it coincided with their second wedding anniversary-a date that, in happier times, might have been a celebration of their love story. Instead, it marked the official end of their marriage. The couple, who had previously been engaged in the early 2000s before calling it off, had hoped that their rekindled romance would be different. However, as one source put it, "It became apparent that they were not a good match."
The split comes after a whirlwind two years that saw the couple reconnect, marry, and then gradually drift apart. Insiders suggest that their differences became increasingly clear as they tried to navigate their high-profile lives together. One significant point of contention was their extravagant 24-bathroom mansion, a purchase that reportedly did not align with Affleck's preferences or personality. "It wasn't what he wanted or who he is," a source explained.
As Lopez and Affleck go their separate ways, they join the ranks of Hollywood couples whose rekindled romances ultimately failed to stand the test of time. For Lopez, the end of this marriage marks yet another chapter in her complex love life, which has included three previous marriages and a high-profile engagement to Alex Rodriguez. Affleck, too, has had his share of public relationships, including his marriage to Jennifer Garner, with whom he shares three children.
While the details of their split are now public, both Lopez and Affleck seem determined to move forward with their lives. Lopez, in particular, has emphasized the importance of self-care and family in her statements to the press, expressing a desire to focus on the future. "It's time to move on," she reportedly told friends, signaling her readiness to embrace the next chapter of her life.
