Ben Affleck has opened up about his love life and admitted that dating is simply not a priority for him right now, following his high-profile divorce from Jennifer Lopez.
Ben Affleck & ex-wife Jennifer Lopez, 2023. Photo credit: Tinseltown, Shutterstock
The actor was asked about his romantic life during an interview with Entertainment Tonight, after it was claimed that The View co-host Ana Navarro had attempted to set him up with singer Shakira.
Affleck, 54, said he had not heard anything about the alleged matchmaking attempt until it was reported in the media.
“I hear sh*t like that first from people like you. I swear to God, I never heard that in my own life,” he said.
“I often hear rumours. Some people gossip, stuff gets made up. I don’t ever get set up, really. I work a lot, I see my kids. There’s not a lot of room for like... I’m not running around. That’s just not a big priority in my life.”
Ben Affleck. Photo credit: Marcello Farina, Shutterstock
When asked if he had reached a point in his life where he feels comfortable, Affleck agreed that he is content with where he is.
“That’s a good place, right? You’re like: ‘Hey, I’m good, and I’m happy.’ I know what my priorities are,” he said.
“To me, that’s my kids. Then I have my work, which I love. Who knows what adventures life will bring! I’m open to it, but I’m not trying to chase anything.”
@entertainmenttonight Ben Affleck is living his best life! The 'Animals' director and star is sharing where he's at in life and love at the film's premiere. #benaffleck #animals ♬ original sound - Entertainment Tonight
Affleck's comments come after years of intense public interest in his relationships, particularly his famously complicated history with Jennifer Lopez.
The pair first began dating in 2002 after meeting while working on the film Gigli. Their relationship quickly became one of the biggest celebrity romances of the early 2000s, with the couple becoming known as “Bennifer”.
Affleck proposed to Lopez in 2002, but the pair postponed their planned wedding in 2003 amid huge media attention before ending their relationship in early 2004.
Ben Affleck & ex-wife Jennifer Lopez, 2003. Photo credit: Featureflash Photo agency, Shutterstock
They both went on to marry other people.
Lopez married singer Marc Anthony and had twins with him, before later entering a relationship with former baseball star Alex Rodriguez.
Affleck married Jennifer Garner in 2005 and the couple had three children together before announcing their separation in 2015. Their divorce was finalised in 2018.
Ben Affleck & ex-wife Jennifer Garner, 2013. Photo credit: Featureflash Photo Agency, Shutterstock
Then, almost two decades after their first romance, Affleck and Lopez shocked fans by rekindling their relationship in 2021.
They became engaged again in 2022 and married in Las Vegas in July of that year, before holding a larger wedding celebration at Affleck's Georgia estate.
Ben Affleck & ex-wife Jennifer Lopez, 2023. Photo credit: Kathy Hutchins, Shutterstock
However, the second chance at their relationship did not last.
The couple separated in April 2024, with Lopez filing for divorce in August of that year. Their divorce was finalised in February 2025, officially bringing the second chapter of their relationship to an end.
Affleck has since largely kept his romantic life out of the spotlight, and there have been no confirmed relationships following his split from Lopez.
Recent speculation has included rumours linking him to Shakira, but he has now dismissed the idea that he is actively dating or being set up.
Shakira. Photo credit: Frederic Legrand COMEO, Shutterstock
His comments also reflect the importance he places on his three children with Garner.
Affleck has previously spoken about making his children a priority and adjusting his career choices so he can spend more time with them. He shares Violet, 20, Fin, 17, and Samuel, 14, with Garner.
The actor's romantic history also includes relationships with Gwyneth Paltrow and actress Ana de Armas.
Affleck and de Armas began dating after working together on Deep Water in 2020, before splitting in early 2021.
Ana de Armas. Photo credit: Xabalber, Shutterstock
But for now, Affleck appears to be putting that part of his life firmly on the back burner.
While he has not ruled out finding love again, his latest comments suggest he is not actively looking for a relationship.
Instead, his focus is on his children and his career.
As he put it: “Who knows what adventures life will bring! I’m open to it, but I’m not trying to chase anything.”
