The revival of Bennifer 2.0 has been, arguably, one of the summer's biggest water-cooler moments.
The rekindling of the relationship between Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck, who first dated in the early 2000s, has inspired headlines, memes, articles and breathless YouTube videos since it was first rumoured in May.
After being photographed together in Montana, Miami and Capri during the summer, the couple confirmed they were back to their A-list best after making their red carpet debut, hand in hand, at the Venice International Film Festival this month.
However, it's hardly the first time the pair have dominated the cameras' glare in the past two decades.
Affleck, 49, and Lopez, 52, became one of Hollywood's most photographed couples when they made their red carpet debut in 2002.
After meeting on the set of the film Gigli, in which they both starred, in December 2001, the couple embarked on an 18-month relationship.
While they only stepped out on the red carpet a handful of times, when they did, they made headlines. It may have been 18 years ago, but fashion critics still fondly remember the pair's attendance at the 2003 Oscars, where Lopez donned a one-shouldered mint green Valentino gown.
The pair announced their engagement in November 2002, after Good Will Hunting star Affleck proposed with a pink diamond ring, though the wedding was called off and a split confirmed in January 2004.
Affleck went on to marry actress Jennifer Garner, with whom he shares three children, in 2005. The couple announced their separation in 2015 and divorced in 2018. Lopez, meanwhile, was married to singer Marc Anthony from 2004 to 2011; the couple share two children. The Love Don't Cost a Thing singer was also engaged to former pro baseball player Alex Rodriguez, but the pair confirmed their split in April 2021.
Here, in celebration of the red carpet return of Bennifer, we take a look back at some of their public appearances over the years.
Scroll through the gallery to see more pictures of Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck between 2002 and 2021.
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
Ruwais timeline
1971 Abu Dhabi National Oil Company established
1980 Ruwais Housing Complex built, located 10 kilometres away from industrial plants
1982 120,000 bpd capacity Ruwais refinery complex officially inaugurated by the founder of the UAE Sheikh Zayed
1984 Second phase of Ruwais Housing Complex built. Today the 7,000-unit complex houses some 24,000 people.
1985 The refinery is expanded with the commissioning of a 27,000 b/d hydro cracker complex
2009 Plans announced to build $1.2 billion fertilizer plant in Ruwais, producing urea
2010 Adnoc awards $10bn contracts for expansion of Ruwais refinery, to double capacity from 415,000 bpd
2014 Ruwais 261-outlet shopping mall opens
2014 Production starts at newly expanded Ruwais refinery, providing jet fuel and diesel and allowing the UAE to be self-sufficient for petrol supplies
2014 Etihad Rail begins transportation of sulphur from Shah and Habshan to Ruwais for export
2017 Aldar Academies to operate Adnoc’s schools including in Ruwais from September. Eight schools operate in total within the housing complex.
2018 Adnoc announces plans to invest $3.1 billion on upgrading its Ruwais refinery
2018 NMC Healthcare selected to manage operations of Ruwais Hospital
2018 Adnoc announces new downstream strategy at event in Abu Dhabi on May 13
Source: The National
At Eternity’s Gate
Director: Julian Schnabel
Starring: Willem Dafoe, Oscar Isaacs, Mads Mikkelsen
Three stars
Stuck in a job without a pay rise? Here's what to do
Chris Greaves, the managing director of Hays Gulf Region, says those without a pay rise for an extended period must start asking questions – both of themselves and their employer.
“First, are they happy with that or do they want more?” he says. “Job-seeking is a time-consuming, frustrating and long-winded affair so are they prepared to put themselves through that rigmarole? Before they consider that, they must ask their employer what is happening.”
Most employees bring up pay rise queries at their annual performance appraisal and find out what the company has in store for them from a career perspective.
Those with no formal appraisal system, Mr Greaves says, should ask HR or their line manager for an assessment.
“You want to find out how they value your contribution and where your job could go,” he says. “You’ve got to be brave enough to ask some questions and if you don’t like the answers then you have to develop a strategy or change jobs if you are prepared to go through the job-seeking process.”
For those that do reach the salary negotiation with their current employer, Mr Greaves says there is no point in asking for less than 5 per cent.
“However, this can only really have any chance of success if you can identify where you add value to the business (preferably you can put a monetary value on it), or you can point to a sustained contribution above the call of duty or to other achievements you think your employer will value.”
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, second leg:
Liverpool (0) v Barcelona (3), Tuesday, 11pm UAE
Game is on BeIN Sports
