Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck's year of broken dreams and the $68M divorce nightmare still looming over exes
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Last year in December, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck were the talk of the town as they hosted a glamorous star-studded Christmas party.
The power couple celebrated the holidays in their $68 million dollar mansion with A-list pals including Margot Robbie and Michael B. Jordan.
But just one year later, their fairytale marriage has crumbled, after Lopez, 55, filed for divorce from the Gone Baby Gone director, 52, in August, on the two-year anniversary of their wedding.
Their Beverly Hills mega mansion, where they once lived with their blended family — Affleck's three kids with ex-wife Jennifer Garner, and Lopez's twins from her marriage to Marc Anthony — continues to sit on the market, months after they listed it.
It appears the Hustlers star will be spending her Christmas there, as she is still reportedly residing in the couple's former love nest.
Lopez recently shared social media posts from inside the home, which is adorned with Christmas decorations, while Affleck purchased his own bachelor pad in Brentwood amid their divorce, close to Garner and their kids.
Last year in December, Jennifer Lopez, 55, and Ben Affleck, 52, were the talk of the town as they hosted a glamorous star-studded Christmas party; seen in January
But just one year later, their fairytale marriage has crumbled, after Lopez filed for divorce from the actor in August, on the two-year anniversary of their wedding; seen in 2023
Lopez was reported to be 'in negotiations to buy' a $55 million Beverly Hills home in September, however her recent Instagram posts suggest that she is still living in her and Affleck's marital home.
Earlier in December she flaunted maximum cleavage in a black-sequin halter dress while posing in front of her towering Christmas tree in the mansion.
She strutted her stuff through the vast home and even posed in her kitchen.
'MY FAVORITE PART about going out is coming home for the midnight snack,' she wrote in the caption.
Affleck and Lopez's mega mansion, known as Crestview Manor, includes a 12-bedroom, 24-bathroom main house as well as a 5,000 square foot guest penthouse, plus a two-bedroom guardhouse, a caretaker house and a 12-car garage.
Amenities include a bar, a home gym, a sports lounge, a bar, a boxing ring, basketball and pickleball courts and parking for 80 vehicles.
After failing to sell it off market, they publicly listed the sprawling property in June.
In 2023 the power couple celebrated the holidays in their $68 million dollar mansion with A-list pals including Margot Robbie and Michael B. Jordan; Lopez seen performing for guests
This year the Lopez will seemingly be spending her Christmas at their former love nest without Ben, as she is still reportedly residing there, five months after they put the home on the market
Lopez recently shared social media posts from inside the home, which is adorned with Christmas decorations, while Affleck purchased his own house in Brentwood amid their divorce
The couple listed their $68 million Beverly Hills marital home in May — one year after purchasing it for $60million
A source previously told PEOPLE that Affleck and Lopez were not on the same page when they purchased the property in 2023.
'The $68 million mansion was Ben's idea and a major compromise for her,' a source told the outlet.
'She agreed to it because of its spacious layout, accommodating both their families, a gym and a pickleball court, office space, plus it has two private entrances,' the insider added, noting how the layout was ideal for accommodating Ben's children, Violet, 18; Finn, 15; and Samuel, 12, and JLo's 16-year-old twins, Max and Emme.
According to the outlet's source, the ultra-modern aesthetic of the mansion, didn't exactly align with the style of the Jenny From The Block singer.
'She loves the romantic, Spanish, European vibe,' they said.
However, once they settled in, Affleck wasn't particularly excited about the place either.
The source claimed Affleck found it inconvenient and time-consuming to deal with traffic from the house, as his life and children are based in Brentwood, and he never liked the location.
While Lopez will seemingly be at their old house, Affleck will most likely be spending Christmas with his kids and ex Garner, after they recently enjoyed Thanksgiving together.
Affleck and Garner, who were married for 13 years between 2005 to 2018, have remained amicable co-parents since their split.
On Thanksgiving they volunteered and served meals to the homeless with their three kids.
Days after Jennifer's 55th birthday in July, Ben closed escrow on a new $20.5million bachelor pad in the Pacific Palisades; (L) Lopez seen in 2024, (R) Affleck seen in May
The couple did not sign a prenuptial agreement before tying the knot in July 2022, insiders have revealed; pictured in 2023
A source told Page Six that Affleck was overjoyed to spend the holiday with his family as he feels as if he can 'just be himself' around Garner and their kids.
Earlier this week it was reported that he and Lopez are not planning to completely sever their ties after their divorce is finalized.
A source told Page Six that they hope to stay 'connected' after their split is made official.
'They have every intention of continuing to be in each other’s lives despite not being romantically involved,' the insider claimed.
The pair still have work obligations in common, as Lopez has been busy promoting her latest film Unstoppable, which was produced by Ben.
Her date of filing was poignant, as it marked the two-year anniversary of their nuptials at Affleck's estate outside of Savannah, Georgia on August 20, 2022.
The couple did not sign a prenuptial agreement before tying the knot in July 2022, insiders have revealed.
This marks Jennifer's fourth failed marriage and Ben's second.
Split speculation began in late April following the release of Jennifer's Amazon Prime Video doc The Greatest Love Story Never Told in February
The film exposed the intimate details of her relationship with Ben, including how he kept his love letters from the singer throughout his marriage to Jennifer Garner
Jennifer's own friends have now suggested the actress needs to 'look inside herself' after she filed for divorce from Ben.
A source close to the star told DailyMail.com said those close to Lopez are growing tired of her chaotic love life.
'After four failed marriages, her friends feel that she should take a look inside and focus on herself instead of what others want her to be and finally figure out who she is and what she wants from her future,' the insider said.
The source told DailyMail.com that the My Love Don't Cost A Thing star isn't the only one capable of playing mind games.
Explaining Affleck's take-the-high-road approach, the insider said: 'Jennifer said she was tired of being humiliated by Ben and she waited until the two year anniversary because she wanted to sting.'
'But it did not sting him. He's been done for a long time and deep down she knows this. He let her have this so that she wouldn't look like the villain.'
Affleck's demeanor was cited as a reason for the split between the stars.
'If people could see what she has really gone through they would be easier on her,' a source told Dailymail.com. 'Ben is a great guy but he can be grumpy and a downer ... if they saw how it really was, they would not attack her.'
The source added, 'He chain smokes and cusses and seems irritated a lot of the time. Great director and actor, but not a lot of laughs with him, you know? He is a wonderful father though.'
Tongues first started wagging when the pair appeared to have a tense exchange at the Grammy Awards in February 2023, though they both later brushed it off
As far as dating, Affleck reportedly 'has no interest in jumping into another relationship' as per Page Six.
'Ben’s divorce from Jennifer hasn’t even been finalized, but even if it were, dating is just not where his head is at,' the insider revealed.
Days after Jennifer's 55th birthday in July, Ben closed escrow on a new $20.5million bachelor pad in the Pacific Palisades.
A source recently told Us Weekly that the star's decision to purchase the abode marked the 'closure of the relationship.'
But it reportedly felt like a 'stab to the heart' to Jennifer, who is still on the hunt for a new LA home.
Split speculation began in late April following the release of Jennifer's Amazon Prime Video doc The Greatest Love Story Never Told in February.
The film exposed the intimate details of her relationship with Ben, including how he kept his love letters from the singer throughout his marriage to Garner.
The Boston-born actor is notoriously private and it was rumored that Jen's love of the spotlight had become a source of tension between the pair.
At the time a source told Page Six that Jennifer has been left 'humiliated' by the split and that she's 'furious' with Ben.
'He's humiliated her because she made a big deal that he's the love of her life. They just had two weddings two years ago,' they dished. 'This is some kind of a record, they're not young kids.'
The pair first exchanged vows at the Little White Chapel in Las Vegas on July 16, 2022, before having an official wedding at Ben's estate outside of Savannah, Georgia on August 20, 2022, two years to the day prior to Jennifer's divorce filing
The power couple — dubbed Bennifer by fans — made headlines in 2021 when they rekindled their romance, nearly 17 years after calling off their original engagement and postponing their September 2003 wedding; seen in 2003
The power couple — dubbed Bennifer by fans — made headlines in 2021 when they rekindled their romance, nearly 17 years after calling off their original engagement and postponing their September 2003 wedding.
In April 2021, reports surfaced that the musician and the Oscar-winning director were reconnecting after Jennifer’s breakup with former MLB star Alex Rodriguez.
The couple confirmed their relationship on Instagram that July and made their red carpet return at the 2021 Venice Film Festival , and subsequently exchanged vows at the Little White Chapel in Las Vegas on July 16, 2022.
The couple again exchanged vows at Ben's estate outside of Savannah, Georgia on August 20, 2022, two years to the day prior to Jennifer's divorce filing.
