The “Marry Me” star filed for divorce in August 2024, and her separation from Ben Affleck has now been finalized.
Jennifer Lopez gets to keep a prized possession following the finalization of her divorce from Ben Affleck. The glamorous item has sparked debate among fans, with some insisting she return it.
A fan argues that Jennifer Lopez doesn’t deserve to keep the item she got after her divorce from Ben Affleck was finalized, from a post dated January 9, 2025 | Source: Facebook/iheartradio
Nearly five months after Lopez filed for divorce in August 2024, her marriage to Affleck has officially ended, according to court documents. Lopez will retain a stunning green diamond ring, valued at over $5 million, as per the divorce documents. The 8.5-carat radiant-cut gemstone is elegantly complemented by two half-moon diamonds on either side and mounted on a sleek platinum band.
It included an engraved message from Affleck, reading, “not.going.anywhere.” When she got engaged to the “Pearl Harbor,” star Lopez revealed in her newsletter that the green diamond held special meaning for her. “Green has always been my lucky color and now, for sure, it always will be,” she penned.
However, while the ring holds sentimental value for Jennifer Lopez, some fans have questioned why she would want to keep it, with others outright demanding that she return it.
Jennifer Lopez, wears her engagement ring as she attends “Halftime” premiere during the Tribeca Film Festival Opening Night in New York City, on June 8, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
One commenter wondered aloud, “Why would anyone want something that will be a reminder of their failure? Failure not once but twice!” A user with a similar sentiment, wrote, “Why would you want to keep a ring from someone who doesn’t want anything to do with you? Kind of embarrassing.”
One fan speculated about Affleck’s feelings, “He probably doesn’t want it back.” Some fans didn’t hold back, labeling the ring as a “Sad consolation prize. Her ego drove that man away.” Another fan chipped in with a more direct opinion, “I don’t think she deserves to keep it 🙂↔️”
Jennifer Lopez, wears her engagement ring, as she attends The 2024 Met Gala Celebrating “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, on May 6, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Some believed the ring rightfully belonged to Affleck, with one stating, “She broke the commitment – it should be returned to Affleck.” A user with similar beliefs called her out, “Give it back gold digger. Go buy one of your own! How many do you have now?”
This comment was made in reference to another of Lopez’s engagements, where it was reported that she retained the $1.8 million engagement ring from Alex Rodriguez (A-Rod), a former professional baseball player. The couple, who got engaged in March 2019, called off their engagement in early 2021, and Lopez was said to still have the ring following their breakup.
Jennifer Lopez kisses then fiancé Alex Rodriguez after performing during the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Joe Biden on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2021 | Source: Getty Images
In the discussion about Affleck’s engagement ring to Lopez, some fans sided with the actress. One fan offered a different perspective, “You don’t give a engagement [sic] ring back after you’ve been married. He gave it to her and they got married.” Another commenter sided with these views, admitting, “I would keep it too.”
Jennifer Lopez, wears her engagement ring, as she attends the 81st Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, on January 7, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
When Lopez got engaged and was given the precious ring in her favorite color, a diamond expert explained that natural green diamonds are extremely rare and among the most challenging to cut.
The expert shared that crafting a diamond of that caliber could have taken a year or more of planning and cutting to achieve the ideal reflection of color and cut. They also noted that the value of the gem is expected to significantly increase over time.
Jennifer Lopez, wears her engagement ring, as she attends The 2024 Met Gala Celebrating “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, on May 6, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Lopez was excited to rekindle her romance with Affleck and her happiness was evident when she announced that they were engaged in 2022. The exes were previously engaged in 2004 and at that time, Ben Affleck proposed with a 6-carat radiant-cut pink diamond ring from Harry Winston.
So, with the second engagement, the “Shotgun Wedding” star said she and Affleck were lucky to get a “second chance at true love.”
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez attend the 81st Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, on January 7, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Now, Lopez gets to keep the ring as well as other items as per court documents. The documents reveal that Affleck has formally waived any claim to Lopez’s belongings, including “clothing, jewelry, and miscellaneous personal effects in her possession, custody or control.”
Jennifer Lopez at the Variety’s 10 Directors To Watch and Creative Impact Awards at the Palm Springs International Film Festival 2025 in Palm Springs, California, on January 4, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
This marks the culmination of Lopez’s reported filing for divorce on August 20, 2024, which coincided with their Georgia wedding anniversary, adding a bittersweet layer to their split. The couple had rekindled their romance in 2021 and got engaged in April 2022.
Jennifer Lopez at Paris Fashion Week on June 24, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
In a surprising move, Lopez had filed the divorce documents without a lawyer. This approach, known as filing “pro per,” suggested she wanted to handle the process independently. She also waived her right to spousal support and asked that the court deny Affleck any support as well.
TMZ also reported that the divorce documents showed Lopez and Affleck did not have a prenuptial agreement. Despite their previous marriages and significant wealth, they didn’t protect their finances.
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck in New York City on September 26, 2021 | Source: Getty Images
As a result, any earnings or profits made during the couple’s nearly two years of marriage were to be treated as community property. A legal source had clarified this matter.
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez at Elle’s Women in Hollywood Celebration in Los Angeles on December 5, 2023 | Source: Getty Images
Marilyn Chinitz, a divorce lawyer at Blank Rome LLP, commented that Lopez’s decision to proceed with the divorce, even without legal representation, sent a clear message of determination, calling it her “real statement” of moving forward.
Jennifer Lopez walks ahead while Ben Affleck follows in Los Angeles, California, on March 11, 2023 | Source: Getty Images
She also stated that it would be “extremely unusual” for the couple not to have a prenuptial agreement. The only time that you see people not having a prenup is when they’ve put most of their assets in trust for their children, and those trusts have been established and they wouldn’t be part of the community [property],” Chinitz explained.
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck in Los Angeles on April 26, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
Today, after the bittersweet anniversary timing and an independent filing from Lopez, all legal details have been settled. The exes’ nearly two years of marriage have come to an end. As they move forward separately, the couple has cleared the path for a fresh start.
