Hollywood Power Couple Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck Call It Quits After Two-Year Marriage

In a surprising turn of events that has reverberated through the entertainment industry, Jennifer Lopez has filed for divorce from Ben Affleck, ending their highly publicized two-year marriage. The Los Angeles County Superior Court received the divorce petition on Tuesday, as confirmed by court documents obtained by the BBC.

The couple, affectionately dubbed "Bennifer" by the media, rekindled their romance nearly two decades after their initial relationship in the early 2000s. Their love story began on the set of the 2003 film "Gigli," leading to an engagement that was ultimately called off in 2004. Fast forward to July 2022, when Lopez and Affleck surprised fans by tying the knot in an intimate Las Vegas ceremony, followed by a more lavish celebration in Georgia the next month.

At the time of their nuptials, Lopez expressed her joy, stating, "Love is beautiful. Love is kind. And it turns out love is patient. Twenty years patient." However, their fairytale reunion has now come to an unexpected conclusion.

The court filing indicates that Lopez, or her legal representative, must serve Affleck with a copy of the divorce petition. Interestingly, media reports suggest that Lopez, who had legally adopted Affleck's surname, did not include any details of a prenuptial agreement in her divorce filing.

As part of the legal proceedings, both parties are required to disclose their current financial situations, including income, expenses, properties, and debts. The court has mandated that any changes to their financial status must be reported "until there is a final agreement about all financial issues in your case." Lopez has been given 60 days to file her financial disclosure, after which Affleck will have an additional 60 days to submit his own information. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in court-imposed sanctions.

Speculation about the couple's relationship had been brewing for months. Reports of their Beverly Hills mansion being put on the market for $65 million (£50 million) and sightings of the couple without their wedding rings fueled rumors of marital discord.

This divorce marks the end of Lopez's fourth marriage and Affleck's second. Lopez's previous marriages include unions with Cuban-born waiter Ojani Noa (1997-1998), former backup dancer Cris Judd (2001-2003), and singer Marc Anthony (2004-2014), with whom she has twins. She was also once engaged to former New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez.

Affleck, a two-time Oscar winner, was previously married to actress Jennifer Garner from 2005 to 2015. The couple, who met on the set of the 2001 film "Pearl Harbor," share three children.

The dissolution of the Lopez-Affleck union marks the end of a Hollywood romance that captivated audiences for over two decades. Their relationship trajectory, from co-stars to couple, from separation to reunion, and now to divorce, has been a subject of intense public interest and media scrutiny.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the entertainment world and fans alike will be watching closely. The divorce not only signifies the end of a high-profile marriage but also closes a chapter in one of Hollywood's most enduring love stories.

Representatives for both Lopez and Affleck have yet to comment on the divorce filing. As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how this separation will impact their professional lives and public personas. The coming months will likely reveal more details about the circumstances surrounding their split and the terms of their divorce settlement.

For now, the end of "Bennifer 2.0" serves as a reminder that even the most celebrated Hollywood romances are not immune to the challenges of maintaining a relationship in the public eye. As both stars move forward with their lives separately, their fans and the entertainment industry will undoubtedly be eager to see what the future holds for these two prominent figures in show business.