Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck's Relationship timeline: What we know so far

It has been 20 years since the first love story in Hollywood, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck, began.

Although the couple first met in 2002, they have been together for over 20 years. Their rollercoaster romance was closely followed from their first date in 2002 to their rekindled love in 2021.

Initial dates lasted two years. This caused a media frenzy and led to the couple eventually splitting in 2004. Both Lopez and Affleck started their own families after their split.

Lopez married Marc Anthony in 2004 and they have twins Max & Emme. Affleck, who was married to Jennifer Garner between 2005 and 2018, had three children with Garner, Violet, Seraphina, and Samuel.

Lopez and Affleck were seen together in April 2021 for the first time since over a decade. This sparked relationship rumors. A few months later, they made their rekindled romance public via Instagram.

Here's a breakdown of Jennifer Lopez's and Ben Affleck’s relationship, from the beginning of "Bennifer", to their second engagement.

In 2002, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck meet for the first time.

Lopez and Affleck met on the 2002 set of their movie Gigli. Affleck was married to Lopez the next year. Lopez was still married to Cris Judd at the time. After the couple divorced, Lopez and Affleck became public about their relationship shortly thereafter.

Lopez stated to that he felt the same way when he met Ben in 2016.

They quickly became one the most famous Hollywood couples and were the first to be given a hybrid name, "Bennifer."

November 2002: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck get engaged

In November 2002, Lopez spoke out about her engagement to Affleck. She described it as traditional, but also very spectacular, just as Ben would. It was beautiful.

Reported that Affleck proposed to his wife with a Harry Winston pink-diamond solitaire diamond ring he made.

Lopez said that her then-fiance was "brilliantly intelligent... Loving" in her interview with Sawyer. Charming. "Affectionate," she added, adding that her mother appreciated it.

She said, "And I just admire his in every way."

Although she acknowledged that not everyone would consider their relationship possible, she pointed out that the actor and her shared a similar upbringing.

"We have talked about this many times and talked about how people see him with... one type of person and me, with another type. And the two of them together is like, "How did that happen?" She said.

Lopez said, "And how similar we are and come from the same type of background... same kinda upbringing, same kinda family, same kinda house."

Tabloid frenzy in early 2003: Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck.

Lopez and Affleck were among the most popular Hollywood couple to appear in tabloids heading into 2003. They were also notoriously harassed by the paparazzi.

Lopez acknowledged their fame in the music video for "Jenny from the Block," where Lopez and Affleck were seen pumping gas together.

Lopez stated to that they didn't want to be in a public relationship. Lopez said that they didn't try to have a public relationship. It was just too much pressure.

Lopez said to InStyle that the media circus surrounding Affleck's relationship was "just crazy."

She said, "Now at the very least I can show people who I am a bit." "Back then, you believed everything you saw on the tabloid cover. It was often false or only a third of what it actually said.

A podcast interview with Affleck in January 2021 reflected on the rudeness of Lopez's media coverage when they were together.

"People were so f ---- mean to her -- sexisted, racist. He said that horrible, cruel s--- was written about her so that you could be fired if you were to write it now. It's almost like she's being praised and respected for her work, where she comes from, what she accomplished -- just as she f ----- should! You have a better chance of becoming like Justice Sonia Sotomayor in the Supreme Court if you come from the Bronx than you do of Jennifer Lopez's career.

August 1, 2003: Jennifer Lopez stars with Ben Affleck in Gigli.

Lopez and Affleck met while filming the 2003 romantic comedy Gigli. The film failed to make a splash at the box office despite their on-screen chemistry. It was also criticized by critics. Called it the "Stinker of Summer".

Affleck, less than two weeks after the film was released, admitted to The Tonight Show that the film "wasn’t good" and they had "gotten buried." Affleck even made fun of the film by reading negative reviews on The Late-Night Show.

September 10, 2003: Jennifer Lopez & Ben Affleck postpone their wedding

The couple made a statement a few days before Lopez and Affleck were due to marry in Santa Barbara, California on September 14, 2003. Lopez and Affleck blamed the media spotlight for their decision to postpone.

Affleck and Lopez stated in a statement that "Due to excessive media attention surrounding the wedding, we have decided not to hold it." "When we began to seriously consider hiring three separate decoy brides’ at three different locations, it was clear that something was wrong."

They added that they felt the day should have been joyful and sacred and could be spoilt for their families and friends.

January 2004: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck split

Reported previously that the couple split up after briefly separating in the wake the canceled wedding. However, they rekindled their relationship but called it quits in January 2004. Their breakup is widely believed to have been caused by intense media attention.

November 2, 2022: Jennifer Lopez wore a "Mrs." Necklace as a sweet nod towards Ben Affleck

Lopez posted photos on Instagram showing herself wearing a delicate necklace made of diamonds with the letters "Mrs." in a nod towards her recent marriage to Affleck. The actress wore a black bra and black silk pajamas with the necklace. The caption to the carousel photo read: "I've been thinkin'... cozy cozy writing session today."