JLo and Ben Affleck's relationship timeline as it is claimed they are filing for divorce

The Greatest Love Story Never Told is reportedly over for good as friends of the couple claim that they are headed for divorce after reconciliation attempts failed.

Rumours that Jennifer Lopez, 55, and her husband Ben Affleck, 51, were having difficulty in their marriage have been mounting for months.

The singer and her actor husband were not pictured together for months at a time and recent reports he had bought his own 'bachelor pad' cemented speculation.

On Thursday, sources close to the couple said that divorce documents 'are finalized, but not yet turned in', as they split for a second time.

Their fairy-tale romance has ended in heartbreak once again, with friends of JLo claiming his new property purchase was like a 'stab in the heart'.

However, along with the downs their have been some tremendous ups for the couple, who rekindled following 20 years apart in 2021.

So following the news that they have called it quits on their relationship, we take a look back on their headline-hitting romance...

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.

SEPTEMBER 2002

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

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

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.

 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

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.

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.

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 

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

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. 

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. 

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. 

'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.

'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.

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. 

AUGUST 2022

Ben and Jennifer tied the knot for a second time in a breathtaking wedding ceremony at his $8.9 million Georgia 'plantation' mansion surrounded by family, friends and A-List celebrities in August of 2022.

The celebrity couple known as 'Bennifer,' wowed the audience with Lopez wearing a stunning white, Ralph Lauren couture gown complete with long train and veil, while Affleck looked sharp in complementary white and black tuxedo.

Photographs shot from above showed the picture-perfect A-listers embracing one another through smiles at a waterside jetty, outside their enormous mansion, and while walking along a snowy white altar set up especially for the day.

The pair's happy reunion came 20 years after they first dated and got engaged, only to call-off their wedding in fall 2003, blaming excessive media attention.

The couple was followed down the aisle after their nuptials by close friends and family, including their children from Jennifer's third husband Marc Anthony, as well as Affleck's first wife Jennifer Garner.

Garner was notable for her absence, with Affleck's brother Casey also declining to attend after saying he had prior parental commitments in Los Angeles.

SEPTEMBER 2022

Following their second lavish ceremony, Lopez shared a gallery of images from the big day on her JLo newletter along with details from the wedding

Detailing the bliss they felt on the day, she wrote that Affleck said in his wedding speech, 'This is heaven. Right Here. We're in it now.'

She also spoke of her own feelings about the day, and said: 'The truth is, I never had one doubt. All week I felt the calm and easy certainty that we were in God's hands...

'And though it was raining, the clouds parted right before the ceremony and, at long-last, I started my walk down the stairs that would become the aisle that would lead me toward the rest of my life. Ahhhhh...it was actually happening...'

DECEMBER 2022

Lopez spoke about how well the couple had adapted to blending their families and even complimented his ex-wife Garner's parenting style.

Speaking to Vogue, she said that Garner is 'an amazing co-parent, and they [Affleck and Garner] work really well together.'

'The transition is a process that needs to be handled with so much care,' Lopez said of blending their families. 'They [the kids] have so many feelings. 

They're teens. But it's going really well so far. What I hope to cultivate with our family is that his kids have a new ally in me and my kids have a new ally in him, someone who really loves and cares about them but can have a different perspective and help me see things that I can't see with my kids because I'm so emotionally tied up.'

JANUARY 2023

Lopez and Affleck moved their families in together, which she described on the Today Show as an 'emotional transition'. 

She said: 'But at the same time all your dreams coming true and it's just been a phenomenal year, like best year, I think, since my kids were born.'

The star and her new husband also proved themselves to be the ultimate blended family as they attended Seraphina's musical event in LA alongside his ex Garner.

The pictures obtained by DailyMail.com showed the families arriving at the event to support Affleck and Garner's 15-year-old daughter.

FEBRUARY 2023 

The couple attended the 2023 Grammys together, however their appearance set tongues wagging due to Affleck's utterly miserable facial expression.

The actor became the meme of the night after a camera snapped him looking bored and uninterested.

According to a seat filler working at the ceremony, Affleck and Lopez revealed that he was trending mid way through the ceremony.

A source confirmed to ET that they did notice it, saying: 'Jen and Ben are both aware of the memes of Ben circulating. She had shown him a few photos that night and he just brushed it off. He is not fazed by what the internet has to say about him.'

APRIL 2023

After rekindling her romance with Affleck, Lopez also delved back into her music career and released a new album,  This Is Me...Now.

Before its release, Affleck heaped praised on his wife's new record during an appearance on the SmartLess podcast.

He said: 'Here's this incredible actress and this incredible performer. And then we're sitting in the car, you know, and I'm humming along, like I will, you know, to the radio. And then a professional singer goes ahead and sings along and you kind of feel like, 'Well that's embarrassing. I do love her music, it's brilliant and I know all of it.

Lopez wrote songs dedicated to Ben, once on her 2002 record [Dear Ben] and another [Dear Ben Pt. II] from her 2023 This Is Me... Now.

Speaking on the songs, he said: 'The songs that have been written about me have been written by the greatest performer in the history of the world, Jennifer Lopez. I don't know if they are exactly about me, as maybe inspired by me because there are some negative things in there. She's amazing.'

SEPTEMBER 2023

The couple were forced to dismiss rumours that Lopez was 'jealous' of his close co-parenting relationship with Garner when they were seen looking close.

While outlets reported that the snaps of Affleck hanging out with his ex left Lopez 'absolutely furious,' a source close to the couple told DailyMail.com that there are absolutely no ill will between the three of them, and that Lopez is in full support of their 'happy co-parenting' set-up. 

In fact, the insider claimed that it was actually Affleck's new romance with Lopez that ultimately helped him and Garner find peace.

'One of the things that made [Garner] and [Affleck] get to a better place was - and is - JLO,' they shared.

'Ben is healthy. The drama of the past and the emotions of divorce are long gone and they are all making it work.'

They added that Lopez and Garner are 'friendly' with one another and that all of their kids 'love each other.'

'It is really a very happy co-parenting situation,' dished the source. 'Everything is really good right now and should be the same in the near and distant future.'

DECEMBER 2023

Lopez packed on the PDA with her husband as he supported her at ELLE's Women in Hollywood celebration in Los Angeles.

While on the red carpet, they shared a passionate kiss after he whispered in her ear. Jennifer was one of the night's honourees as well as the magazine's December cover star.

Lopez spoke with ET on the red carpet about collaborating with Affleck on This Is Me... Now: The Film. 'He is a co-writer on the project. We collaborate very well together, and nobody knows my story more than he does.'

FEBRUARY 2024

They attended the premiere of her film This Is Me...Now: A Love Story together on February 13 and kissed in front of cameras once again on the red carpet.

During an interview with Apple Music's Zane Lowe to promote the project, Lopez explained for the first time when she and Affleck really first broke up after their 2003 wedding was delayed: 

'We didn't break up right at that moment, it happened over the series of the next few months,' she said. 'Because what it did was it casted doubt in me, and both of us, about what our relationship was, and where it was going, I think. 

'And I knew in my heart that I wanted to be with him for the rest of my life, I knew that. But it didn't feel like we were going to make it. And so, it scared me.

They later attended a special screening of her project, The Greatest Love Story Never Told in Los Angeles, a documentary about her movie.

During a Q&A at the screening, she admitted it was 'scary' to be so vulnerable on the project as well as working with her husband.

She said: 'The other scary part was that I was bringing into it my husband, who was kind of the reluctant participant, silent participant and all.

'I just said to him during one of the parts of the movie, I was like, 'Is this weird?' He's like, 'Yes.' I said, 'You're crazy.' I told him he was crazy, not me. But I know that I'm a crazy one. I get that part.'

MAY 2024

It was announced that Lopez was cancelling her This Is Me...Live tour to take 'time off to be with her children, family, and close friends.'

She said: 'I am completely heartsick and devastated about letting you down. Please know that I wouldn't do this if I didn't feel that it was absolutely necessary. I promise I will make it up to you and we will all be together again. I love you all so much. Until next time…'

Reports of strife in their marriage mounted and they hadn't been publicly sighted together for 47 days.

The couple, who had previously been pictured together at regular intervals, were last sighted together holding hands on March 20 in New York.

It was reported by PEOPLE that they were living separately in Los Angeles, with Affleck renting a $100,000 per month pad.

On May 30, the couple both attended his daughter Violet's graduation. 

JUNE 2024

Affleck is thought to have moved all his belongings out of the marital home they shared and is permanently living in a rental pad in LA.  

'Ben continues to live at the Brentwood rental. He's been there for about two months now. He seems okay. He's been at his office every day and seems focused on work. He's also spending time with his kids.' 

Insiders claimed Lopez is 'over' trying to make her marriage with Affleck work, a source told DailyMail.com.

Amid rumours about the status of the couple's marriage, an industry insider claimed that the pop star has reached her wit's end and no longer feels that she can do any 'more' to save the relationship.

'Jenny has had enough and she really tried but she can do no more, it's not getting any better, it's worse,' a music industry source told DailyMail.com.

JULY 2024

They spent July 4 separately on opposite sides of the country, as Lopez holidayed in the Hamptons while Affleck remained in Los Angeles.

Affleck missed another milestone when he skipped JLo's 55th birthday, which she celebrated with a lavish Bridgerton-themed party in the Hamptons.

He was also absent from his wife's side at the Met Gala in May and and the premiere of her new film Atlas, which  sources claimed was due to the production of his new film, The Accountant 2.

Affleck closed escrow on a new $20.5 million estate in the oceanside enclave, according to TMZ.

The home has five bedrooms and six bathrooms with breakfast and dining areas, as well as a separate family room, den, walk-in closets, media room, powder room, guest house and more amenities typical of a multi-million dollar house.

This development is the strongest sign yet that Affleck's marriage to Lopez was heading toward divorce.

AUGUST

Friends claimed to DailyMail.com the couple are once again pushing ahead with divorce after a final attempt at reconciliation in recent weeks failed.

The couple's divorce documents 'are finalized, but not yet turned in', multiple sources have claimed.

The news follows Affleck buying a new $20.5 million 'bachelor pad' mansion in the Pacific Palisades on Wednesday, July 24, the day Lopez turned 55.

Friends of Lopez's claimed Affleck's sudden bachelor pad purchase on her birthday had been a 'stab to the heart'.