Here's When Ben Affleck & Jennifer Lopez's Marital Problems Started, Including His Major Complaints

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez's marriage took a sharp turn as sources reveal that their Europe trip a few years ago exposed deep cracks in their relationship.

According to an August 2024 Page Six report, Ben Affleck and Jennifer "JLo" Lopez's honeymoon in Italy marked the beginning of their marital struggles, as Ben struggled with the intense media attention and the demands of his wife's high-profile lifestyle.

The couple's honeymoon in Lake Como in 2022 seemed glamorous on the surface. However, behind the scenes, Ben was uncomfortable with the constant paparazzi presence.

A source reportedly said that Ben "was unhappy with paparazzi following them. She is an international superstar, and he acted like it came as a surprise that they would be followed around."

Privately, the couple's relationship was already strained, despite their public displays of affection. Insiders shared with Page Six that they "would barely speak to each other during what was supposed to be the happiest time of their life." Ben had assured JLo that he was a changed man, but as the source noted, "that lasted a very short time."

Ben's sobriety was a major factor in the couple's issues. After entering rehab in 2018 for alcohol addiction, he was in a fragile state when he and JLo reconnected. As he settled into his sober life, the initial excitement of their reunion began to fade.

An insider explained, "He was in a vulnerable state, and whatever their chemistry played into that [sic]." As Ben's sobriety stabilized, he began craving more privacy, which conflicted with JLo's fame-filled life. "He doesn't want [the entourage] and all the drama that comes with that in his home," the source added.

Despite these struggles, Ben reportedly delayed filing for divorce to protect JLo's feelings, with the Page Six sources describing him as "very protective of her."

However, as their relationship continued to deteriorate, JLo was left feeling "furious." One source added, "He has humiliated her. He was the one who initiated getting back together … She made a big deal that he was the love of her life."

Amid their private turmoil, the couple maintained a public front during their honeymoon. A People article from August 2022 described their time in Milan, where they shopped and dined together. Eyewitnesses noted that the pair seemed "attentive only to each other" and acted "down to earth."

Earlier, during a romantic dinner in Paris, Ben was spotted in tears, according to TMZ in July 2022. The emotional moment happened on JLo's 53rd birthday, with her seen comforting him. The reason for his tears is unclear, but it showed they were facing emotional challenges.

The couple's reported tensions during their honeymoon in Italy resurfaced after JLo recently filed for divorce from Ben. She submitted the paperwork to the Los Angeles County Superior Court exactly two years after their second wedding ceremony.

According to TMZ, the couple's separation date is listed as April 26, 2024, and further details offer a fresh perspective on their unexpected split.

JLo's Divorce Filing Comes on the Anniversary of Their Georgia Wedding

JLo reportedly filed for divorce on August 20, the same day as their Georgia wedding anniversary, adding a bittersweet note to their split. The couple rekindled their romance in 2021 and got engaged in April 2022.

After getting engaged, they had a surprise Las Vegas wedding on July 16, 2022. A month later, they celebrated with a larger ceremony at Ben's Georgia estate. In her On the JLo newsletter, JLo reportedly described the day as "full-circle" and "better" than expected.

The ceremony was personal, with the couple walking down the aisle to "True Companion" by Marc Cohn. JLo wore three custom wedding dresses: a turtleneck gown, a mermaid silhouette, and a chandelier pearl gown, which she called "dreamy."

JLo Filed the Divorce Documents Herself

In a surprising move, JLo filed the divorce documents without a lawyer. This approach, known as filing "pro per," suggests she wants to handle the process independently. She also waived her right to spousal support and asked that the court deny Ben any support as well.

Ben Affleck & Jennifer Lopez Have No Prenuptial Agreement

TMZ also reported that the divorce documents show JLo and Ben did not have a prenuptial agreement. Despite their previous marriages and significant wealth, they didn't protect their finances. As a result, any earnings or profits made during their nearly two years of marriage will be treated as community property.

Bennifer Are Still Hashing Out the Sale of Their Marital Home

Although JLo has filed for divorce, their financial settlement remains unresolved. The couple's Beverly Hills home is on the market, but negotiations have reportedly become tense. JLo and Ben are searching for new homes, signaling the end of their shared life together.

JLo and Ben first became a media sensation in the early 2000s when their relationship, known as "Bennifer," grabbed headlines. They got engaged and starred together in "Gigli" (2003) and "Jersey Girl" (2004), but their romance ended before "Jersey Girl" was released.

Over the next 20 years, both married other people—JLo with Marc Anthony and Ben with Jennifer Garner—but they reunited three years ago. Since then, they often appeared together at public events, promoting each other's projects. Ben even appeared in JLo's Amazon Prime Video special, "This Is Me … Now: A Love Story."

JLo's latest album, "This Is Me … Now," revisits themes from her 2002 album, "This Is Me … Then," which was inspired by her first relationship with Ben Fans followed their love story through JLo's social media and newsletter updates.

However, in May, JLo unexpectedly canceled her summer tour, saying she needed time with her family—a decision that hinted at the couple's split and eventual divorce.

The divorce came after JLo grabbed attention by attending a Bruno Mars concert in Los Angeles on Ben's birthday, August 15. This sparked online debate about whether she was masking her true feelings amid the couple's marital woes

A video shared on Instagram by artist Tetris showed JLo, dressed in a white sleeveless top and jeans, dancing energetically—swaying her head and raising her hands as she moved her body from left to right—to the song "Marry You."

Although JLo appeared to be enjoying herself, the clip quickly attracted attention, with netizens questioning the authenticity of her emotional state. A user observed that she was "Trying too hard to look happy."

Another critic pointed out, "She knew that she will be videotaped. This is too hard seeking attention, even for JLo [sic]," while another added, "55 acting like she's 25. 🙄🙄"

Someone else speculated that JLo's behavior might have contributed to her and Ben's marital woes, "Calm down Jen. It doesn't always have to be a show… That may be the reason for your relationship demise 🤷‍♀️." Not everyone was critical, though.

Some fans defended JLo, saying she was just enjoying her single life. One fan noted that she looked like anyone else who loves music and suggested that Ben not being musically inclined, might not have enjoyed attending concerts with her.

Supporters encouraged JLo to live life on her own terms, expressing happiness that she was enjoying herself. One fan urged her to "be happy" with or without Ben, while another praised her for dancing and having fun.

Another fan celebrated JLo's happiness, stating that life goes on and that she has plenty to celebrate without being defined by a man.

JLo further fueled the online conversation by sharing photos and videos from the concert on her Twitter account. In one post, she posed with two companions, wearing large sunglasses and flashy jewelry, including a necklace with her name as a pendant.

The actress also shared a video explaining to her social media followers how she drinks from a bottle. "See how I do this when I drink from the bottle, very demure," she playfully said before taking a sip. "Very mindful," she added.

She also explained that she doesn't chug her drink all at once but prefers to take small sips. "Just little. Little by little. Very elegant. Swelling it. Demure. Mindful [sic]," she shared, before walking off-camera.

Despite the buzz surrounding her concert appearance, JLo did make time to visit Ben on his 52nd birthday. She was seen leaving his rental home in Brentwood earlier that day, dressed casually in a brown jacket, blue jeans, and sneakers. She quietly exited the house and climbed into a large black vehicle.

Meanwhile, Ben's ex-wife, Jennifer Garner, had also visited his rental home just hours earlier. She left in a sleek BMW, wearing a striped white T-shirt, navy trousers, and glasses, along with simple jewelry, including silver earrings and an Apple Watch.

Jennifer and Ben, who divorced in 2018, continue to co-parent their children—Violet, 18, Seraphina, 15, and Samuel, 12—with a mature and friendly relationship.

Ben and Jennifer Lopez's marriage struggled early on, with their honeymoon revealing serious issues. Despite showing unity in public, JLo’s decision to file for divorce reflected the personal challenges behind their high-profile lives.