Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck—who broke off their engagement in 2003 before rekindling their romance nearly two decades later—shared insight into why they called off their first wedding.
Don’t be fooled by the rock Jennifer Lopez has got on now.
After all, her wedding ring from husband Ben Affleck symbolizes a much deeper story. As the “Jenny from the Block” singer explained, she experienced years of heartache before rekindling her romance with the Oscar winner, who she was engaged to during the early aughts before their 2003 breakup.
So, what went wrong in their relationship the first time?
“Ben and I, we broke up three days before our wedding,” J.Lo recalled in her new documentary The Greatest Love Story Never Told. “We had a big wedding planned—14 ushers and bridesmaids—and three days before, we just crumbled under the pressure.”
Ben echoed the sentiment, sharing in the Amazon Prime doc that the reason behind the split was “the massive amount of scrutiny around our private life.”
However, the couple agreed that calling off their first wedding led them each on a self-discovery journey, one that eventually helped them cross paths again when they reconciled in 2021. They tied the knot at a Las Vegas ceremony in July 2022, before saying “I do” at a massive wedding in Georgia the following month.
“For all those years, it was really hard because I didn’t just feel like I lost the love of my life, I felt like I lost the best friend that I ever had,” Jennifer remembered of their time apart. “And I couldn’t talk for so many years, and that was the hardest part.”
Admitting that she was “angry” at Ben for a while, the Grammy winner continued, “But that heartbreak set both of us on a course to figuring ourselves out to being better people.”
Christopher Polk/Golden Globes 2024 via Getty Images
During that period, Jennifer gave birth to her 16-year-old twins Max and Emme, who she shares with ex-husband Marc Anthony. Meanwhile, Ben welcomed kids Violet, 18, Seraphina, 15, and Samuel, 11, with ex-wife Jennifer Garner.
For J.Lo, she found peace after forgiving both Ben and herself for their past issues.
“I feel like I came out the other side,” she said in the documentary. “I’ve made it through. I’ve made something good of my life. I’m proud of that.”
For a closer look at the Bennifer love story, keep reading.
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December 2001: Filming Gigli
The two prepare to film a scene for the movie in West Hollywood. The couple met on the set of the film.
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October 2002: Spotted in Beverly Hills
The two are spotted in the city.
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November 2002: Filming Gigli and Engagement
The two film the movie on Will Rogers State Beach in Los Angeles. That month, the actor proposes to the actress with a 6.1-carat pink diamond ring.
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November 2002: Filming Jersey Girl
The two film the movie in New York City.
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November 2002: Leaving MTV’s TRL
Is there anything more ’00s than both Bennifer 1.0 and TRL?
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December 2002: Red Carpet Debut
The two make their red carpet debut as a couple at the premiere of her film Maid in Manhattan.
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January 2003: Sundance
The two bundle up at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah.
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February 2003: Daredevil Premiere
The two appear at the premiere of Daredevil, starring Ben as the superhero.
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February 2003: Daredevil Premiere
The two appear at the premiere of Daredevil, starring Ben and future ex-wife Jennifer Garner.
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March 2003: Oscars
The two attend the Academy Awards together.
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May 2003: Basketball Game
The two sit courtside at a Los Angeles Lakers game.
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July 2003: Canada Trip
The two film a Dateline interview for NBC in Vancouver.
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July 2003: Gigli Premiere
The two appear at the premiere for their movie in Westwood, Calif.
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August 2003: Gigli Is Released
…it flops at the box office.
Christopher Polk/Jason Merritt/Getty Images for DCP
September 2003: Wedding Is Off
The two postpone their wedding. No future date is given.
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October 2003: Baseball Date
The two are seen at a Boston Red Sox game. The team is Ben’s favorite.
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January 2004: It’s Over
The two end their engagement.
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September 2021: Red Carpet Royalty
They’re baaaack. On Sept. 10, the couple makes their first red carpet appearance in 18 years at the Venice Film Festival premiere of The Last Duel.
FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP via Getty Images
September 2021: Look of Love
There’s no denying J.Lo makes for a stunning plus-one!
Robert Kamau/GC Images
September 2021: Back to the Stage
Ben supports J.Lo at the 2021 Global Citizen Live event in New York City, where she performed onstage. It marked her first music gig since she performed at VAX LIVE in May, where the actor also appeared onstage separately, fueling rumors of a rekindled romance.
Kevin Mazur/MG21/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
September 2021: Met Gala Debut
The two attend the Met Gala together for the first time.
Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock
October 2021: PDA at Premiere
Jen and Ben put on a sizzling display on the red carpet at the premiere of his film The Last Duel in New York City.
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
April 2022: Engaged Again!
Jennifer confirmed her engagement to the Gone Girl actor with a video posted to her On The JLo site, revealing a glimpse of her beautiful engagement ring with a green stone.
onthejlo.com
July 2022: Married!
On July 16, Jennifer and Ben tied the knot in a surprise ceremony at A Little White Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas.
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July 2022: Post-Wedding Trip to Paris
The two vacation with her twins and two of his kids in the French capital soon after their wedding.
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June 2023: Red Carpet Fabulous
J.Lo steps out with Ben in support of his movie The Flash.
Steve Granitz/FilmMagic
February 2024: This Is Them…Now
Jennifer release This Is Me… Now, an album about her relationship with Ben. The record is accompanied by a musical film titled This Is Me… Now: A Love Story and the documentary The Greatest Love Story Never Told.
