On Friday, August 2, 2024, it was made public that Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez decided to end their marriage due to irreconcilable differences that pushed them to the limit. According to sources close to the couple, as cited by Infobae and Daily Mail, it is expected that they will file for divorce before the end of the summer in the United States.
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One of the main factors that motivated this separation was the launch of Lopez’s Delola cocktail line in April 2023, which acted as a trigger in their relationship.
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The conflict over Delola
Jennifer Lopez's cocktail line, Delola, has been described as the breaking point for the couple. Ben Affleck, who has struggled with alcoholism for years, was deeply affected by this project. "Lopez's alcoholic beverages brand was one of the things that tipped the scale," a friend of Affleck told the Daily Mail. This source indicated that Lopez's promotion of drinking to "relax and unwind" was perceived by Affleck as a personal offense.
The release of Delola coincided with the emergence of tensions between them. "Lopez's promotional campaign was seen as a personal insult," explained another source to the British tabloid. Affleck, who has been in rehab several times since 2001, felt that this was a constant reminder of his addiction.
The other differences that drove them apart
In addition to the conflict over Delola, differences in lifestyle became a significant problem. While Ben Affleck chose to keep a low profile, Jennifer Lopez preferred to be constantly in the public eye. “Her obsession with fame became too much for him,” commented an insider to the Daily Mail, adding that Lopez had a constant need to be photographed and adored by the media.
Another point of tension was the acquisition of a mansion in Beverly Hills valued at $68 million. For Affleck, this purchase was seen as an unnecessary expense. Sources close to the actor revealed to the Daily Mail that “he never felt it like a home for him,” which accentuated discrepancies in financial decisions and lifestyle.
The impact of Jennifer Lopez's documentary
The release of Jennifer Lopez’s documentary, This Is Me... Now: A Love Story, also played a significant role in the deterioration of the relationship. Ben Affleck expressed his opposition to the project and his displeasure with the public exposure of their private life. “He did not want their love story to be told in such a public way,” a source mentioned to the same newspaper.
After the separation, Ben Affleck acquired a property in Los Angeles close to that of his ex-wife Jennifer Garner, for a value of 20.5 million dollars. According to information from ET, the actor is seeking a positive change that will facilitate the shared parenting of their children.
On the other hand, Jennifer Lopez, who recently celebrated her 55th birthday surrounded by friends and family in New York, is focused on staying positive. According to a source from the Daily Mail, the singer is "doing everything possible to stay positive and focus on the good things in her life". As a result, she has canceled her summer tour to spend more time with her family and friends.
A separation announced
The couple, who celebrated their marriage in Las Vegas in 2022 and had a second ceremony in Georgia, have not been seen together in weeks. They are now focused on their children: Lopez’s 16-year-old twins and Affleck’s three children, aged 19, 15, and 12. Close sources claim that the kids are handling the situation in the best possible way and maintain a good relationship with each other.
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez, who rekindled their relationship in 2021 after almost two decades since their first engagement, have made efforts to reconcile in recent weeks. However, “the divorce papers are finalized, but have not yet been filed,” as revealed by sources close to the couple. It is expected that they will issue a joint statement when the separation becomes official.