Jennifer Lopez has officially closed the book on her short-lived marriage to Ben Affleck, finalising their divorce almost five months after filing. According to court documents obtained by People magazine and USA Today, the break-up has now been made official, marking the tragic end of one of Hollywood’s greatest love stories. But as the two stars have endeavoured to split up their shared assets, there is one bright spot to this sad ending, in that Lopez has managed to keep ownership of her seven-figure engagement ring.
Rumours of cracks in the relationship had been swirling since May 2024, which fits with the separation date Lopez listed on the filing—April 26, 2024—citing “irreconcilable differences.” The singer filed for divorce on August 20, 2024, the anniversary of their wedding—an extravagant ceremony at Affleck’s Georgia estate.
The settlement, as reported by TMZ, suggests an amicable division of assets, including an agreement to sell their AU$109 million Los Angeles mansion. Each will retain funds they acquired individually during the marriage, with neither party obligated to provide spousal support. Lopez also requested her legal name be reverted to Jennifer Lynn Lopez after adopting Affleck’s surname during their marriage.
Much of the divorce remains confidential, but one piece of their history will remain with her: the iconic 8.5-carat green diamond engagement ring valued at AU$8 million. As Page Six reported, the ring, engraved with the words “not.going.anywhere.,” a phrase that Affleck reportedly signed off his emails with when he and Lopez initially rekindled their romance.
Lopez and Affleck’s journey began on the set of the film Gigli in 2001, a union that swiftly ignited a media frenzy of “Bennifer.” They became engaged for the first time in 2002 before calling it off in 2004. When they got back together two decades later, they managed to make it down the aisle.
Now, as the two step into their respective next chapters, sources confirm that they remain on good terms.
“They want to show the kids that things are amicable,” a source told People in September 2024. “There’s still a lot of love.”
