Bennifer: who has the higher net worth? Jennifer Lopez made millions since her days as Janet Jackson’s backup dancer, while Ben Affleck is one of Hollywood’s highest-paid actors

Sep 30 , 2021

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez have rekindled their romance decades later. Photo: LaPresse via Zuma Press/DPA

After kicking off his career with Oscar award-winning Good Will Hunting, co-written with Matt Damon, Affleck reportedly made eight figures for The Last Duel

The celebrity couple met on the set of Gigli in 2002, split up amid cheating rumours … and are now touring Beverly Hills mansions after getting back together

It seems like the second time’s the charm for Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez, who, in a love story spanning almost two decades, have officially rekindled their romance in 2021.

It was in early 2002 when Affleck and Lopez met on the set of the movie Gigli, both stars at the peak of their careers. They insisted they were “just friends”, said a Vulture report, and the pair were photographed together in July. The famous music video Jenny from the Block premiered in November, solidifying the couple’s relationship. They got engaged in the same month.

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez at the premiere of their critically derided film Gigli in 2003. Photo: AP Photo

But by 2003, Gigli bombed, cheating rumours surrounded the pair and excessive tabloid coverage forced the couple to postpone their wedding – which never pushed through.

In 2004, the engagement was officially called off. Some time later, Lopez married Marc Anthony and Affleck married another Jen – Jennifer Garner, and the two started families of their own. After divorces, more cheating scandals and the pandemic in between, rumours of a Bennifer reunion began swirling in April. A few PDA photos got released on the internet and by July, Lopez celebrated her birthday and made her relationship with Affleck Instagram official.

Jennifer Lopez recently celebrated her 52nd birthday on a yacht with Ben Affleck. Photo: @jlo/Instagram

They have since recreated their steamy music video scene and appeared together on red carpets like it’s 2002. Older, wiser, richer and more in love, Hello! reports the pair is mansion-hunting and touring estates worth up to US$85 million, such as a Beverly Hills property that’s 38,000 square feet with 12 bedrooms, 24 bathrooms and parking spaces for 80 guests.

“Bennifer” are reportedly touring estates worth up to US$85 million. Photo: MLS

The lavish choice of residence comes as no surprise, as both stars have clearly more wealth now than when they were first a couple in 2002.

According to Forbes’ Celebrity 100 list in 2020, Affleck is at No 37 thanks to his colourful acting work. The actor is best known for Good Will Hunting in 1997, which catapulted his career. Affleck, together with his childhood friend Matt Damon, sold the script they co-wrote for Good Will Hunting for US$775,000, according to Cheat Sheet. It eventually won best original screenplay at the 70th Academy Awards.