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Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck are officially divorced and are now legally single. The Los Angeles County Superior Court finalized the dissolution of their marriage on Friday, February 21, confirming their legal separation, as reported by the Associated Press.
The couple had reached a divorce settlement on January 6, with court documents revealing that they had settled their terms through mediation in September. Unlike many celebrity divorces, Lopez and Affleck managed to avoid a prolonged legal battle by reaching an agreement outside of court.
A Love Story That Spanned Decades
Lopez, 55, and Affleck, 52, first met in 2002 on the set of the movie Gigli and quickly became one of Hollywood’s most talked-about couples. They got engaged the same year but ultimately called off their wedding in 2004, going their separate ways.
Nearly two decades later, in 2021, they rekindled their romance and surprised fans by getting married in a lavish ceremony in Georgia the following year. Reflecting on their reunion, Lopez told Billboard in February 2024, “I never thought that he and I would get back together. I just couldn’t give up on the idea that there was something amazing out there for me, even when it got really bad — and it did at times. I always believed deep, deep down to not give up completely.”
After two years of marriage, Lopez filed for divorce from Affleck, listing their official separation date as April 26, 2024. The reason cited for the split was “irreconcilable differences,” a common legal term for couples who cannot reconcile their conflicts.
Dividing Assets and Legal Agreements
According to settlement documents obtained by Billboard, Lopez and Affleck reached an amicable agreement on dividing their assets and properties. Both parties waived spousal support, demonstrating a clean and fair separation. They also agreed to equally split their legal fees for the divorce proceedings, which were mediated by renowned divorce attorney Laura Wasser.
Additionally, Lopez will be reverting to her maiden name, legally changing it back from Jennifer Affleck to Jennifer Lopez.
Past Relationships and Family Life
Lopez has been married three times before, to Ojani Noa, Cris Judd, and Marc Anthony. She shares two children with Marc Anthony. Affleck, on the other hand, was previously married to actress Jennifer Garner, with whom he shares three children.
Lopez Reflects on Being Single Again
In October 2024, Lopez shared her thoughts on navigating life after her split from Affleck. In an interview with Interview magazine, she candidly expressed her emotions about being single again.
“I think to myself, ‘F—, that is exactly what I needed,’” she said. “Thank you, God. I’m sorry it took me so long. I’m sorry that you had to do this to me so many times. I should have learned it two or three times ago. I get it … I’m not looking for anybody, because everything that I’ve done over the past 25, 30 years, being in these different challenging situations, what can I f—ing do when it’s just me flying on my own … What if I’m just free?”
With their divorce now finalized, both Lopez and Affleck are moving on with their lives. While their rekindled romance captivated fans worldwide, their journey has now come to an end, marking a new chapter for both stars.
