JLo Felt like She’d ‘Die’ after Split from Ben Affleck, Now He Makes Her Feel More Beautiful than Ever
- Hollywood "It" couple Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck recently celebrated their 1st wedding anniversary.
- While opening up about their relationship, Lopez shared that she felt as though she would "die" after the couple first split.
- Now, Affleck makes his wife feel more beautiful than ever.
Jennifer Lopez, 54, and Ben Affleck, 51, are one of Hollywood's premiere power couples. The lovebirds, whose romantic timeline dates back over twenty years, are known by their couple's name, Bennifer.
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez at the LACMA Art+Film Gala in Los Angeles, California on November 4, 2023 | Source: Getty Images
Years prior to tying the knot in 2022, Lopez and Affleck were set to make it down the aisle. Their early 2000s romance was quite a hot topic and gained a lot of public and media attention for some time when they initially got together.
Jennifer Lopez Opened Up about Her Early Romance with Ben Affleck and Spoke about Their Split in the 2000s
After the couple got together, Lopez released a studio album, "This Is Me...Then," that spoke to her relationship with Affleck, with one of the songs, "Dear Ben," even being dedicated to him specifically. In a recent interview, she shared some insights into what life was like for them at that time.
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez at the premiere of "Maid in Manhattan" in New York City on December 8, 2002 | Source: Getty Images
Throughout the making of the album, Affleck, who Lopez confirmed adores the songs, was heavily involved in the creative process during the initial two and a half years they were together. As mentioned previously, the two were on track to exchanging vows but split after 18 months together in 2004.
When they came together again, Lopez also spoke about how immediate their spark and the reigniting of their love was.
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez at the premiere of "Daredevil" in 2003 | Source: Getty Images
At that time, the two had already reportedly broken up after their lavish Montecito wedding scheduled to take place in September 2003 was canceled. Bennifer then reunited after this but ultimately called it off in what they thought was finality. According to sources, a statement from the singer's team announced:
"Jennifer Lopez has ended her engagement to Ben Affleck..."
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck at the premiere of "Maid in Manhattan" in New York City on December 8, 2002 | Source: Getty Images
Naturally, as partners who have such a profound love for each other, the two were heartbroken over their split. While speaking about their relationship, Lopez shared how painful her breakup from the love of her life was:
"Once we called off that wedding 20 years ago, I was—it was the biggest heartbreak of my life, and I honestly felt like I was gonna die, and it sent me on a spiral for the next 18 years..."
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck at the 75th Annual Academy Awards in 2003 | Source: Getty Images
However, clearly, true love ended up prevailing as 20 years later, Lopez and Affleck found their way back to each other and got their happy ending. By 2021, the Hollywood "It" couple had already been spending ample time together since reuniting.
In fact, the duo had taken a trip to Montana, where they were spotted spending several days together. A source confirmed that the two had been rekindling their romance, and though they said it was intense and quick, they emphasized the strong, undeniable connection between the two.
Bennifer Is Back and Better than Ever: From Working past the Heartache to Celebrating Their First Wedding Anniversary
Now, "This Is Me...Then" has revamped itself into "This Is Me...Now," which is Lopez's upcoming studio album that talks about her life and lasting love with Affleck, who remains a big source of inspiration as his wife's biggest cheerleader. Though she admitted to feeling a bit terrified about creating the soon-to-be-released album, she leaned into her instincts to share her story.
Lopez wanted to capture the incredible reunion with her beau as a moment in time, the same way she did when they first started dating. She explained that she wanted to do so because she believes their relationship is even better than it was the first time around.
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck at the premiere of "The Flash" in Hollywood, California on June 12, 2023 | Source: Getty Images
Having grown a lot, Lopez stated that her upcoming album is meant to give listeners an inside look into her life as it stands now. While discussing the nuances and comparing the previous album to the upcoming one, the "Hustlers" star divulged:
"So, we captured me at this moment in time when I was reunited with the love of my life, and we decided we were gonna be together forever...Now I think what the message of the album is very much, 'If you were wondering if you have—like me, at times, lost hope, almost given up, don't because true love does exist and some things do last forever, and that's real...'"
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez spotted in Los Angeles, California on May 20, 2023 | Source: Getty Images
She also mentioned how, with time and as they aged, things became much clearer for her and Affleck, and the fact that the clarity they feel comes with a heightened level of being absolutely sure about each other. When they came together again, Lopez also spoke about how immediate their spark and the reigniting of their love was.
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez at the premiere of "The Mother" in Los Angeles, California on May 10, 2023 | Source: Getty Images
As another way to show how lasting their love intends to be, Affleck's engagement ring to Lopez has an engraving that emphasizes the fact that he does not plan on going anywhere. The commitment engraving is also how he would sign off his emails to her when they started talking again.
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck at the premiere of "AIR" in Los Angeles, California on March 27, 2023 | Source: Getty Images
In another interview where she spoke about their marriage, months after celebrating their first wedding anniversary, Lopez gushed over how beautiful Affleck makes her feel. Of his upliftment and support of her, Lopez gushed:
"Ben wants me to understand my worth and know my value. I feel...even more beautiful than I have ever felt with someone else."
As the loved-up couple continues to live a happy life together with the first year of marriage under their belt, Lopez wants people to know that fairytale endings do exist for so long as one is willing to do the work and not give up.