Jennifer Lopez has opened up about the profound emotional impact of her first breakup with Ben Affleck, revealing that it led her into an 18-year “spiral” of heartbreak. This candid admission sheds light on the complexities of their relationship, which began in 2002 after they appeared together in the poorly received film “Gigli.”

Affleck proposed to Lopez in 2002 with a striking 6.1-carat pink diamond ring from Harry Winston, valued at approximately $2.5 million. They planned to marry in September 2003, but the wedding was called off just days before the ceremony, leading to their split in January 2004. At the time, a representative for Lopez confirmed the end of the engagement, requesting privacy during a challenging period.

Despite the dramatic end of their first engagement, Lopez and Affleck rekindled their romance in 2021. They married twice in 2022, first in a private ceremony in Las Vegas and then in a more formal celebration in Georgia. Lopez reflected on this renewed romance in a November 2022 interview with Zane Lowe, describing their second chance at love as “the most amazing, incredible, unbelievable thing” and expressing her desire to capture the moment as even more significant than their first engagement.

However, the renewed relationship has now ended. Lopez filed for divorce from Affleck on Tuesday, the anniversary of their second wedding ceremony. The decision to end their marriage was not unexpected, as there had been growing speculation about their relationship status in recent months. Reports surfaced in May indicating that Affleck and Lopez had been living apart, with Affleck moving out of their $60 million marital mansion and into a rental home. Subsequently, he purchased a new property for $20.5 million and placed their former home on the market.

Lopez’s filing cites their date of separation as April 26, 2024, and notes that they have not been together for nearly four months. The couple did not celebrate her 55th birthday or their second wedding anniversary together in July. While Lopez was seen at Affleck’s rental home on his 52nd birthday, she later attended a Bruno Mars concert without her husband, further fueling speculation about their relationship’s instability.

In an interview with Apple Music 1, Lopez had previously shared the deep emotional impact of their initial breakup. She described the end of their first engagement as “the biggest heartbreak of my life,” which she said felt so overwhelming that it led her to a period of personal turmoil lasting nearly two decades. Lopez admitted that she struggled with performing songs from the album she worked on during that time, as the heartbreak was too raw and painful.

Reflecting on their second chance at love, Lopez spoke about how their mature perspective allowed them to approach their relationship with greater clarity. She expressed confidence in their commitment to each other, emphasizing that their connection was stronger and more resolute than before.

Affleck, in contrast to Lopez, has chosen to maintain a more private stance on their relationship. He has expressed a preference for keeping personal matters out of the public eye, a sentiment he reiterated in a December 2021 interview with The Wall Street Journal. Affleck acknowledged the value of setting boundaries and choosing not to discuss his personal life in the media.

The dissolution of their marriage marks a poignant end to a high-profile relationship that has captivated public attention for over two decades. The details of their divorce, including the absence of a prenuptial agreement, could have significant financial implications. Lopez, estimated to be worth $400 million, and Affleck, who earned $38 million in 2023 according to Forbes, may face a costly division of assets.

In conclusion, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s relationship, marked by its dramatic ups and downs, has ended for a second time. The journey from their first engagement to their recent divorce underscores the complexities of love, fame, and personal growth. Their story, characterized by deep emotional highs and lows, continues to resonate with fans as they navigate the aftermath of their final separation.