Jennifer Lopez emotionally recalled breaking off her marriage to Ben Affleck in 2004 when they first dated.
The singer, 54, opened up about her relationship with her husband Ben, 51, in her new documentary The Greatest Love Story Never Told.
The new documentary charts the singer during the making of her latest album This Is Me… Now as well as her twenty-year journey to ‘self-love’.
Jennifer, 54, and Ben, 51, were famously engaged in the early 2000s before breaking up, only to reunite – and later marry – in July 2022.
Their initial two-year romance was highly publicised and the intense scrutiny on their relationship was difficult for the couple to handle.
Jennifer Lopez emotionally recalled breaking off her marriage to Ben Affleck in 2004 when they first dated
The singer, 54, opened up about her relationship with her husband Ben, 51, in her new documentary The Greatest Love Story Never Told
Jennifer said: ‘Ben and I broke up three days before our wedding and we crumbled under the pressure. You think you’re doing ok so you shrug it off.
The On The Floor hitmaker also got candid about the pain she felt when the relationship came to an end.
She said: ‘I had a broken heart once I lost the love of my life, my best friend, and I couldn’t talk for so many years and that was the hardest part.
‘I used to think it was everyone else who was broken, now I think it was just me.’
The couple’s love story started in 2002 when they dated while filming the movie Jersey Girl. They became engaged the following year but broke up in 2004.
Yet it was meant to be for the couple, known collectively as Bennifer, who found their way back to one another in July 2021, marrying just one year later.
They detailed the highs and lows of their rekindled romance in Jennifer’s new documentary, with Ben revealed he initially asked his wife to keep their relationship offline when they decided to give things another ago.
While navigating their reconciliation, two decades following their first engagement, the two-time Oscar winner admitted he had zero interest in becoming a fixture on his wife’s social media accounts.
She said: ‘I had a broken heart once I lost the love of my life, my best friend, and I couldn’t talk for so many years and that was the hardest part’
The couple’s love story started in 2002 (pictured) when they dated while filming the movie Jersey Girl. They became engaged the following year but broke up in 2004
‘Getting back together, I said, ‘Listen, one of the things I don’t want is a relationship on social media,’ the actor recalled.
‘Then I sort of realized it’s not a fair thing to ask. It’s sort of like, you’re gonna marry a boat captain and you go, “Well, I don’t like the water.”‘
He continued: ‘We’re just two people with different kinds of approaches trying to learn to compromise.’
Ultimately, Jennifer respected his wishes, and has only posted a small handful of snaps featuring him, including a raunchy shirtless photo last Father’s Day and a sweet video of them singing Sam Cooke’s (What A) Wonderful World in the car on his birthday.
During the documentary, the mother-of-two acknowledged Ben’s discomfort with stepping in the spotlight as a couple after facing intense media scrutiny when they first dated between 2002 and 2004.
‘I don’t think [Ben] is very comfortable with me doing all of this,’ she said. ‘But he loves me, he knows I’m an artist, and he’s gonna support me in every way he can because he knows you can’t stop me from making the music I made… he doesn’t want to stop me. But that doesn’t mean he’s comfortable being the muse.’
Elsewhere in the documentary, Jennifer burst into tears as she confessed what her husband made her see in herself was ‘moving’.
She shared that ‘we both have PTSD’ from their initial dating experience, but explained that in their present life as a married couple they’re ‘older’ and ‘wiser’ (pictured in 2003)
Welling up, she revealed: ‘What he said and what he saw in me, and what he made me believe about myself, only comes from love.
‘Because nobody else could have made me see that about myself. It’s very moving.
‘Because I didn’t think much about myself and so the world didn’t think much of me. That lined up.’
She said of their reunion: ‘We’re totally different people now and we’re the same and we have the same love 100 percent. Like I’d never fallen out of love with you. I had to just put it over here.’
The couple got engaged near the end of 2002 but broke the engagement in late 2003 before ending their relationship entirely in 2004.
In the intervening years, Jennifer married and divorced her third ex-husband Marc Anthony, with whom she welcomed her 15-year-old twins Max and Emme.
Meanwhile, Ben married and divorced Jennifer Garner, with whom he amicably co-parents three children – Violet, 18, Seraphina, 14, and Samuel, 11.
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s relationship timeline: From the early 2000s until now
Rekindled romance: Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez sent the pop culture sphere into a frenzy by rekindling their romance after 17 years apart; Ben and Jennifer pictured on July 3
2001
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez first met on the set of their film Gigli in December 2001.
The movie, upon its eventual release two years later, won seven Razzies and was branded ‘unwatchable’ by some critics.
It garnered $7.2m in the box office against a reported $55m budget. Yet all was not lost, as the film brought Bennifer closer together.
The beginning: Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez first met on the set of their film Gigli in December 2001
SEPTEMBER 2002
Reunited: While they were yet to know about their looming box office failure, Bennifer were in front of the camera once more in 2002 as they reunited to shoot the 2004 movie Jersey Girl
While they were yet to know about their looming box office failure, Bennifer were in front of the camera once more in 2002 as they reunited to shoot the 2004 movie Jersey Girl.
The movie was where their love was cemented and the couple’s romance was born.
Their name was in fact born on-set, as Jersey Girl director Kevin Smith said: ‘Bennifer’ is trending.
‘It’s a name I first gave the kids during ‘Jersey Girl’ pre-production, before the world found out they were dating…
‘I’d later drop the name in an interview with the @nytimes. Shortly thereafter, it appeared in the article and then entered the vernacular.’
2002 ONWARD
The duo made their red carpet debut at the premiere of her movie Maid In Manhattan.
From red carpet appearances to Juicy Couture tracksuits, they soon became one of the world’s most photographed couples thanks to their Hollywood good looks and glamorous style.
NOVEMBER 2002
Engaged: Ben popped the question to Jennifer in 2002 during a visit to see his family in Boston – leading to a delighted surprise; Ben and Jennifer pictured in 2003
Ben popped the question to Jennifer with an eye-popping 6.1-carat pink solitaire diamond from Harry Winston during a visit to see his family in Boston – leading to a delighted surprise.
She described the proposal, saying: ‘It’s just a blanket, a quilt of rose petals, all over the whole entire house. So many candles, and vases, bouquets.
‘And my song I’m Glad was playing… I walk in and I was just like overwhelmed. I wasn’t expecting it, and I was just like ‘Oh my God.”
Ben then revealed his mother Christopher Anne Boldt helped him with the proposal, after which Jennifer said: ‘I just started sobbing. Crying. I was like ‘Oh! My God!”
She went on: ‘I had cried a lot over sadness over the years. And for the first time in my life, I cried incredible purging tears of happiness…
‘It was the most cleansing feeling and the most wonderful feeling I had ever had.’
Later that month, Ben appeared in Jennifer’s Jenny From The Block music video including one scene – designed to look like a stealth paparazzi video – showing the actor caressing her famous derriere.
Not content with a video cameo, Jennifer dedicated her sensual and gushing track Dear Ben from her third studio album This Is Me… Then to her husband-to-be.
SEPTEMBER 2003
Postponed: Days before their wedding, the couple astounded fans when they announced a postponement; Ben and Jennifer pictured in 2003
Days before their highly-publicized wedding, the couple astounded fans when they announced a postponement due to increasingly feverish media attention.
Their statement read: ‘Due to the excessive media attention surrounding our wedding, we have decided to postpone the date…
‘When we found ourselves seriously contemplating hiring three separate ‘decoy brides’ at three different locations, we realized that something was awry…
‘We began to feel that the spirit of what should have been the happiest day of our lives could be compromised.
‘We felt what should have been a joyful and sacred day could be spoiled for us, our families and our friends.’
JANUARY 2004
The couple confirmed their split with a simple statement.
Jennifer’s representative announced: ‘I am confirming the report that Jennifer Lopez has ended her engagement to Ben Affleck.
‘At this difficult time, we ask that you respect her privacy.’
2004 – 2005
Later that year, Jennifer sought comfort in her longtime friend, Marc Anthony, explaining: ‘[I wanted to] find someone who could make me feel loved and wanted in my loneliest hour…
‘Thinking back, maybe deep down I knew that this was a Band-Aid on the cut.’
She married the singer that June and went on to have twins with the star in 2008. She divorced Marc in 2014.
Ben meanwhile wed actress Jennifer Garner in 2005 and they share three children, Violet, 15, Seraphina, 12, and Samuel, 9. The couple split in 2018.
Later in 2004, Jennifer sought comfort in her longtime friend, Marc Anthony and they wed in June (pictured in 2006) Ben meanwhile wed actress Jennifer Garner in 2005 and they share three children, Violet, 15, Seraphina, 12, and Samuel, 9. The couple split in 2018
2012
Ben made it clear that they very much remained friends, when he told The Hollywood Reporter: ‘We don’t have the kind of relationship where she relies on me for advice but we do have the kind of relationship where there’ll be an e-mail saying, ‘Oh, your movie looks great’…
‘I remember when she got American Idol. I said, ‘This was really smart. Good luck.”
‘I respect her. I like her. She’s put up with some stuff that was unfair in her life, and I’m really pleased to see her successful.’
2014
Two years later, Jennifer told Huffington Post: ‘I would do it all over again, I think. I really would. Even the relationship part.
‘I just feel like everything is part of your story and your journey and is meant to be and helps you grow if you’re willing to look at it, and I’m willing to look.’
2016
Struggles: On making their relationship work, Jennifer detailed why things struggled for the pair
On making their relationship work, Jennifer detailed why things struggled for the pair.
She said: ‘I think different time different thing, who knows what could’ve happened, but there was a genuine love there, We didn’t try to have a public relationship…
‘We just happened to be together at the birth of the tabloids, and it was like, ‘Oh my God.’ It was just a lot of pressure.’
APRIL 2021
After being proposed to in 2019, Jennifer unexpectedly called off her engagement to MLB star Alex Rodriguez in April.
‘We have realized we are better as friends and look forward to remaining so. We will continue to work together and support each other on our shared businesses and projects,’ read a statement the pair released at the time.
Done! After being proposed to in 2019, Jennifer unexpectedly called off her engagement to MLB star Alex Rodriguez (pictured) in April
Shortly after, Ben was seen arriving at Jennifer’s home in a white Escalade SUV that is said to belong to the Hustlers star. He was later seen being dropped off by the singer’s security.
They had also reportedly enjoyed several meet-ups at the the Hotel Bel-Air around the same time.
TMZ reported that Affleck had reached out to J-Lo via email while she was in the Dominican Republic shooting her rom-com Shotgun Wedding earlier this year.
The pair are said to have continued communicating until Jennifer wrapped up filming in late April, with numerous sources stating that they were ‘just friends.’
MAY 2021
Ben whisked his former flame Jennifer away on a private jet this past weekend for a romantic getaway trip to a luxury ski resort in Montana, where the actor is understood to own a chalet.
In exclusive pictures obtained by DailyMail.com, the former couple appeared relaxed and at ease around one another as they sat side-by-side in an SUV, with the Good Will Hunting star in the driver’s seat, amid rumors he’s been spending time at the singer’s LA mansion on multiple occasions.
In pictures of the pair arriving back to LA, both Ben and Jennifer looked dressed for comfort as they stood close together while exiting the private plane following the short trip, where they had packed a considerable amount of luggage.
Rekindled: In exclusive pictures obtained by DailyMail.com, Ben, 48, and Jennifer, 51, appeared relaxed and at ease around one another as they then sat side-by-side in an SUV in Montana
Sources claimed to E! that the pair spent ‘about a week’ together at the club, and they ‘were alone’ during their stay.
Following their getaway, Jennifer made several trips to Los Angeles to spend time with Ben, before the Academy Award-winner jetted off to Miami, Florida to spend time at Lopez’s home.
During his stay in Miami, Ben was seen hanging out on Jennifer’s balcony smoking cigarettes before joining the superstar for a gym session.
Sources told In Touch that Ben and Jen ‘looked madly in love’ during their gym date and ‘were clearly picking up where they left off in their relationship years ago.
The insider added: ‘They even shared a kiss on the gym floor and were super playful with each other between sets.’
May 31, 2021 – Rekindled romance CONFIRMED
After weeks of speculation and sources claiming the pair had taken their friendship to a ‘romantic’ level, Ben and Jennifer confirmed the news for themselves during a romantic date night in West Hollywood.
During the outing, Jennifer and Ben had their arms wrapped around one another while waiting to be seated at Wolfgang Puck’s new restaurant located at the swanky Pendry hotel
The 51-year-old On The Floor singer had her head nestled into the 48-year-old Academy Award-winner’s neck as he held her closely with one arm.
JUNE 2021
Relocating? Jennifer sparked rumors that she may relocate from Miami to the West Coast for Ben when she was seen touring school in the LA area for her twins Max and Emme, 13; Ben and Jennifer pictured in July
Jennifer sparked rumors that she may relocate from Miami to the West Coast for Ben when she was seen touring school in the LA area for her twins Max and Emme, 13.
A source told The Sun at the time that Lopez was ‘looking towards LA’ and that her Miami house reminds Lopez too much of her ex and Los Angeles is perfect for a fresh start as it’s convenient for her TV work and photoshoots, which more often take place on the west coast.
In the meantime, Jennifer hunkered down in her $28million mansion in LA and enjoyed several visits to Ben’s Brentwood home throughout the month. He also seen leaving her Bel Air abode on several occasions.
Proving their rekindled passions, Jennifer and Ben were spotted kissing one another on June 15 as they attended JLo’s sister Lynda’s 50th birthday dinner in Malibu.
Also present were Max and Emme, who Ben was seen bonding with during the family gathering at Nobu restaurant.
SUMMER 2021
Blending families: With their relationship in full force, Jennifer and Ben have been working to blend their families
Further blending their families, Ben and Jennifer decided to enjoy a day out at Universal Studios Hollywood ahead of the Fourth Of July holiday.
The couple, who walked with arms wrapped around one another, were joined by Lopez’s twins, as well as Affleck’s nine-year-old son Samuel.
They would then jet out of Los Angeles to celebrate the Fourth Of July in the Hamptons, along with Lopez’s daughter Emme and a pal.
On Thursday, July 15, Ben was spotted driving his girlfriend around as he helped her on her ‘hunt for a mega-mansion’ in Los Angeles, according to TMZ, further fueling rumors that she plans to relocate to be closer to the actor.
JANUARY – MARCH 2022
With their rekindled relationship moving from strength to strength, Ben and Jennifer began their ‘hunt for a mega-mansion’ in the Los Angeles area.
They were photographed on a number of occasions checking out sprawling properties across the city.
In late March, TMZ reported that the happy couple are ‘in escrow’ on a massive $50M mansion with 10 bedrooms and 17 bathrooms in swanky Bel Air
On March 23, Ben supported his pop star girlfriend at the iHeartRadio Music Awards in Los Angeles, where she was honored with the coveted Icon Award.
He was seen sitting in the audience with Jennifer’s daughter Emme, 14, and his young son Samuel, nine.
Major moment: On March 23, Ben supported his pop star girlfriend at the iHeartRadio Music Awards in Los Angeles, where she was honored with the coveted Icon Award
APRIL 2022
Following days of speculation – after she was seen with a huge sparkler on her finger – Jennifer confirmed that she was engaged to Ben for the second time in their relationship.
She confirmed the news in a newsletter shared to her official website on Friday, April 8, which included a touching video that showed her getting emotional as she gawked at her engagement ring.
Earlier in the day, just hours before the news broke, Ben and Jennifer was captured touring real estate spaces in Santa Monica. The On The Floor singer was NOT wearing her engagement ring at the time.
Emotional: She confirmed the news in a newsletter shared to her official website on Friday, April 8, which included a touching video that showed her getting emotional as she gawked at her engagement ring
JULY 16, 2022
Jennifer and Ben tied the knot in Las Vegas on July 16, 2022 which was three months after becoming engaged again and 20 years after the actor first got down on one knee.
The Selena actress, 52, confirmed they said ‘I do’ on her newsletter On The JLo, where she shared details of their intimate wedding held at the Little White Wedding Chapel.
The newsletter was signed ‘Mrs. Jennifer Lynn Affleck’ and included candid selfies of the newlyweds and video of the couple preparing for their special day, including one of Ben getting ready inside the chapel’s bathroom and photos of J.Lo in her wedding dress.
‘We did it. Love is beautiful. Love is kind. And it turns out love is patient. Twenty years patient,’ she wrote in her post.
Just married! Jennifer and Ben tied the knot in Las Vegas on July 16, 2022 which was three months after becoming engaged again and 20 years after the actor first got down on one knee
Newlywed bliss! The newsletter was signed ‘Mrs. Jennifer Lynn Affleck’ and included candid selfies of the newlyweds and video of the couple preparing for their special day, including one of Ben getting ready inside the chapel’s bathroom
‘And this was my wedding changing area!’ Ben, wearing a white suit, declared as he held the camera up to a scratched-up mirror
Blushing bride! JLo wore a quaint white dress in video posted to her newsletter. She appeared to be wearing two different white dresses in her post
‘Exactly what we wanted. Last night we flew to Vegas, stood in line for a license with four other couples, all making the same journey to the wedding capital of the world. Behind us two men held hands and held each other. In front of us, a young couple who made the three hour drive from Victorville on their daughter’s second birthday—all of us wanting the same thing— for the world to recognize us as partners and to declare our love to the world through the ancient and nearly universal symbol of marriage.
‘We barely made it to the little white wedding chapel by midnight. They graciously stayed open late a few minutes, let us take pictures in a pink Cadillac convertible, evidently once used by the king himself (but if we wanted Elvis himself to show, that cost extra and he was in bed).
‘So with the best witnesses you could ever imagine, a dress from an old movie and a jacket from Ben’s closet, we read our own vows in the little chapel and gave one another the rings we’ll wear for the rest of our lives. They even had Bluetooth for a (short) march down the aisle. But in the end it was the best possible wedding we could have imagined. One we dreamed of long ago and one made real (in the eyes of the state, Las Vegas, a pink convertible and one another) at very, very long last.
‘When love is real, the only thing that matters in marriage is one another and the promise we make to love, care, understand, be patient, loving and good to one another. We had that. And so much more. Best night of our lives. Thank you to the Little White Wedding chapel for letting me use the break room to change while Ben changed in the men’s room.
Mr and Mrs: JLo shared details of their special day and signed the statement from ‘Mrs. Jennifer Lynn Affleck’
Here comes the bride! JLo did several twirls as she showcased her white dress
VIP! Jennifer’s 14-year-old Emme looked thrilled to be attending the nuptials
‘They were right when they said, ‘all you need is love’. We are so grateful to have that in abundance, a new wonderful family of five amazing children and a life that we have never had more reason to look forward to. Stick around long enough and maybe you’ll find the best moment of your life in a drive through in Las Vegas at twelve thirty in the morning in the tunnel of love drive through, with your kids and the one you’ll spend forever with. Love is a great thing, maybe the best of things-and worth waiting for.’
The content included a video of Ben preparing for their nuptials inside the chapel’s pink bathroom.
‘And this was my wedding changing area!’ Ben, wearing a white suit, declared as he held the camera up to a scratched-up mirror.
Big day: The A-lister took a selfie before a scratched-up mirror as he prepared for his special day
Could be more glamorous! Affleck showed off the pink bathroom he was getting ready in
Jennifer, however, had more luxurious accommodations. She wore a chic yet simple chic dress with her hair styled in waves as she got glammed up inside an elegant bathroom.
‘I feel amazing, excited,’ Jennifer said before doing several twirls in her dress.
The bride appeared to be wearing two different white dresses in her post – the sleeveless frock and a more traditional lace garment which flashed some cleavage. She tucked a veil into her cascading waves.
The couple collectively known as ‘Bennifer’ obtained a marriage license in Clark County, Nevada on Saturday and exchanged vows in a ‘super small’ ceremony.
Jennifer will also be taking Affleck’s last name. The Clark County Recorder’s Office shows the pop star will be changing her name to ‘Jennifer Affleck.’ The marriage certificate, however, has yet to be filed.
Marriage officiants have 10 calendar days to submit the certificate to their office for filing, according to the Clark County Clerk’s Office.
Marital bliss: Lopez shared a shot of herself lying in bed to her Instagram Story on Sunday and added the Barbra Streisand track Sadie, Sadie in the background