Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez's split has ended – once more. But why does their divorce seem so poignant?

When Hollywood stars embark on a romance, it seems they secretly wish for one thing: official condemnation from the Vatican. When Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton's affair on the set of *Cleopatra* came to light, the Holy See denounced Taylor as “an avaricious vamp who destroys families and devours husbands.” (To be fair, Taylor was approaching her fifth marriage, with three more to follow.)

Now, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s split after just two years of marriage and two decades after their first romance feels similarly poignant. Entertainment reporters are drawing parallels to Burton and Taylor, who famously married in 1964, divorced in 1974, remarried in 1975, and then split again within a year. While Bennifer—who never faced papal rebuke but did inspire the first celebrity couple portmanteau—was less dramatic than Burton and Taylor, their story had its own charm.

Affleck and Lopez first dated from 2002 to 2004. At their peak, they commanded more magazine covers than box office hits. Affleck was known for both impressive films and critical flops, while Lopez, a multifaceted star, excelled in everything from pop music to romcoms. Despite their fame, they seemed both alluring and approachable, embodying the mix of glamour and relatability that captured the public’s imagination.

Their relationship almost culminated in marriage in 2003 but was called off due to media frenzy. After a few more months of dating, they split. Over the years, even as they married and divorced other people, they remained respectful of each other. Affleck criticized how she was treated by the press, while Lopez blamed media attention for the breakup, saying it had torn their relationship apart and left her feeling “eviscerated.” Their reunion in 2021 felt like a restoration of a cherished moment, offering a rare, heartening glimpse into their enduring connection.

Their recent separation evokes a surprising sadness. Their renewed romance was a beacon of positivity, especially as the world emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic. It represented a second chance at love for both, which was uplifting in its own right. Affleck’s public persona of melancholy, which often seemed exaggerated by the internet, made their happiness all the more poignant. When they married in 2022, their blend of high and low culture—from a Las Vegas wedding to a Parisian honeymoon—captured the public’s imagination.

Not everyone gets multiple chances at love like Taylor did, and both Affleck and Lopez expressed gratitude for their second chance. Affleck reflected on his life, noting that sharing too much with the world isn’t wise but acknowledging the fortune of second chances. Lopez shared that they were wiser and more aware of their responsibilities as they navigated their relationship.

In the world of celebrity marriages, silence often speaks volumes. The recent news of their divorce, marked symbolically by the anniversary of their marriage, has been meticulously documented. Their separation—highlighted by their separate house-hunting and Lopez’s cancellation of her US tour—has been a public spectacle, even amid their heartbreak. Despite the sadness, Lopez knows how to make a statement, ensuring that even their split carries a touch of drama.