Jennifer Lopez Opens Up About Co-Parenting With Marc Anthony

Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez were long-time friends that met in 1998 when Anthony was starring in The Capeman on Broadway. Before even getting together with J.Lo, the salsa artist already had four children from previous marriages.

Lopez was married to Ojani Noa in her younger years, and then dated P. Diddy before marrying backup dancer Cris Judd. After a brief engagement to actor Ben Affleck, Lopez got together with Marc Anthony.

In 2004 — after just six months of dating — Anthony and Jenny tied the knot in a casual Beverly Hills ceremony at the singer’s home. According to reports, the couple hired classical musicians to play Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” during the ceremony.

J.Lo walked across her backyard to the sound of cheers from her guests. The bride wore Neil Lane jewelry and protected herself from the sun with a white umbrella. After the ceremony, guests danced the night away underneath the stars in a white tent.

Three years later, during the final night of their joint tour, Anthony and Lopez revealed to the audience that the singer was pregnant. Anthony later admitted they were expecting twins, as they run in his family.

Sure enough, the couple welcomed a son and daughter in 2008. The twins — named Emme Maribel Muñiz and Maximilian David Muñiz — were soon hot property. People magazine paid $6 million for their first pictures, making them the most expensive celebrity pictures taken at the time.

Sadly, three years after the birth of the twins, Anthony and Lopez mutually decided to call it quits. In 2011, after seven years of marriage, the couple announced their split. Still, their separation wasn’t actually finalized until 2014, and eventually, Lopez gained primary physical custody of their children.

While married to Anthony, Jenny took his surname, making her Jennifer Muñiz. A few months after their split, though, J.Lo legally changed her name back to Jennifer Lopez. Despite their separation, the pair has continued to remain good friends and excellent co-parents!

Years later, the Latin megastars continue to co-parent their children together and have even formed a blended family of sorts with other children, new partners, and ex-spouses. In 2019, Lopez and Anthony attended a holiday concert at Emme’s school and shared an adorable Instagram picture of the moment.

Anthony posted the picture of himself, daughter Emme, and Lopez walking hand-in-hand together. The super sweet caption read, “Nothing but love between us.” Anthony even made sure to tag Lopez. How cute!

In fact, Lopez and Anthony aren’t just functional co-parents but they also consider each other great friends. Lopez regularly calls Anthony her best friend, and told People magazine that the strong relationship they have is beneficial for their children.

Reporters have even asked Lopez if she plans on getting back with the Latin singer, but she’s happy with their relationship as it is. Speaking about Anthony, she said, “Honestly, we’re always gonna be great friends. I’m always gonna be there for him, he’s always gonna be there for me.”

Anthony and Lopez feel strongly about the importance of co-parenting, which is partly why they decided to maintain a strong relationship. They were friends before they got together, so perhaps that bond kept them close after their marriage ended.

In regard to co-parenting, Lopez has said that remaining close is “good for the whole family.” The singer is proud that the kids can hang out with both of their parents together, and believes that they’re setting a great example as parents.

In fact, Lopez and Anthony are such amicable co-parents that they decided to work with each other after their split. In 2017, they worked on a Spanish language album, which brought the whole family together. Speaking to Kelly Ripa, Lopez said, “We’re just in a really great place, and the kids get to spend time with the two of us more together.”

Lopez admits she was worried that working together would cause arguments, but in the end, the legend admitted that it only helped to improve their relationship.

Of course, a major part of co-parenting is celebrating your children’s birthdays together. On Max and Emme’s ninth birthday, Lopez shared an emotional Instagram message…

“I can’t believe it’s 9 years ago today that I was entrusted with the biggest blessings of my life… He finally sent me my beautiful twins, my babies — my love and life in two little human beings. I immediately felt bonded, protective, overwhelmed with emotion, and like the luckiest woman on this Earth. And I’ve felt that way every day since.”

The singer shared a collage along with her heartfelt message, which continued with J.Lo expressing just how proud she is of her two babies — her shining lights that make the world even more beautiful…

The artist then goes on to thank a higher power “for choosing me to be Max and Emme’s mom. The word ‘LOVE’ is not enough for how my heart and soul feel when I think of you… Happy Happy Birthday, my little coconuts!!!”

Clearly, Lopez and Anthony are perfectly comfortable co-parenting and working together. The ex-couple is so close that when they shared the stage in Las Vegas, crowds starting cheering and asking them to kiss.

Lopez presented Anthony with the Latin Recording Academy’s Person of the Year award at the Latin Grammys in 2016. She said in Spanish, “You will always be many things in my life — a mentor, a soulmate, a father. He is not only a Person of the Year, he is a living legend.”

Of course, it’s not just Lopez that shows up to support Anthony. In fact, J.Lo had a residency at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas between 2016 and 2018. The show — called “All I Have” — was a huge hit, and Anthony showed up multiple times to enjoy the concert.

During the show, Lopez even gave Anthony a shout-out by saying, “You’re an international legend and icon, but you’re also my baby daddy.” The pair even snapped pictures with their significant others after the show.

Jennifer Lopez has never been scared of dating, so it’s no surprise that the Hustlers star quickly moved on after her split from Anthony. The singer had an on-and-off-again relationship with her former backup dancer Casper Smart between 2011 and 2016.

In 2017, the singer started dating former New York Yankees baseball player Alex Rodriguez — also known as A-Rod. The pair announced their engagement in 2019. At least these two clearly share a fondness for abbreviated nicknames! Will it be J.Rod soon?

Lopez’s new husband, Ben Affleck, isn’t a stranger when it comes to dating leading ladies. The actor has dated several A-listers including ex wife Jennifer Garner and ex girlfriend Gwyneth Paltrow.

Affleck and Garner married in 2005 and together they co-parent their three children: Violet Anne, 18, Seraphina Rose, 15, and Samuel, 12. The couple divorced in 2015 and Affleck revealed that he and Garner broke up because they simply “grew apart.” “The truth was, we took our time, we made a decision, we grew apart. We had a marriage that did not work. This happens,”

Now — in more stable times — Lopez and Affleck have blended their families. The stars are a shining example of healthy co-parenting.

After his split from Lopez, Anthony moved on with model Shannon de Lima. The couple tied the knot in the Dominican Republic, but just two years later they announced their separation and eventual divorce.

However, while they were together, De Lima was also included in the Lopez-Anthony blended family. After attending one of Lopez’s concerts, Anthony posted a picture afterward with himself, Lopez, their twins Max and Emma, and Shannon De Lima. Now that’s a friendly relationship!

Meanwhile, J.Lo and Affleck originally dated from 2002 – 2004. They were even engaged and postponed their planned Santa Barbra wedding “due to excessive media attention.”

Affleck and Lopez said in the statement. “When we found ourselves seriously contemplating hiring three separate ‘decoy brides’ at three different locations, we realized that something was awry.”

In 2004 the couple eventually broke up, they blamed the intense media attention their relationship attracted. “Jennifer Lopez has ended her engagement to Ben Affleck. At this difficult time, we ask that you respect her privacy,” Lopez’s rep said at the time.

Affleck’s rep added, “I am not going to confirm anything about his personal life. We don’t want to get dragged into quicksand. Everybody wants a war. It’s not happening from our side.”

Following Jlo’s split from baseball star Alex Rodriguez in April 2021, the singer began spending more and more time with Affleck in L.A. Another source told PEOPLE, “They have a great time hanging out. … It’s been years since they caught up properly. They have lots to talk about. They plan on hanging out again.”

The couple were then spotted on a trip together, they were spotted in Big Sky, Montana. They were seen in a car together near Affleck’s vacation home and rumors started swirling.

In July 2021, Lopez posted on her instagram celebrating her milestone 52nd birthday. Fans were quick to notice that in this mix of photos was a photo of Lopez and Affleck kissing.

The rumors of their reconciliation were confirmed! It is official, Bennifer are back together!

Unsurprisingly, Affleck’s children are thrilled to have a megastar like J.Lo in their lives. J-lo kids share the same feeling and on Father’s Day Lopez shared the caption, “Happy Father’s Day to the most caring, loving, affectionate, consistent and selfless Daddy ever.”

J-Lo recently added that Ben is ‘a father figure to [Max and Emme] as well,’ and it is clear to see that the families are blending beautifully.

J-Lo even said ‘they love him. They love him. And they appreciate him, and so do I,” she added. We know it can be tough blending families and kids, but it is clearly going well for the Lopez / Affleck clan.

An insider noted “it was easy” for Ben to form a solid bond, as the two “talked about cars and Batman.” “[Max] and Ben connected over movies and video games,” the insider added at the time. “Ben’s relationships with his own kids is what makes him so relatable.”

For their first Thanksgiving together, the Lopez-Affleck household posted inside snaps of the families bonding.

J-Lo shared this heartwarming Step Father and Step Son moment to her instagram, and we can’t help but fall in love with Ben here too!

Of course, the family also gets together to celebrate Halloween. They’re such a united and blended family that they all decided to go Halloween shopping together.

Ben was seen taking Emme and Seraphina to a local Spirit Halloween store in September 2022, where they seemingly picked up some fun items for spooky season! It is so heartwarming to see these two Step Sisters getting along!

The two families have got so close that they have even started vacationing together! Following J-Lo and Ben’s whirlwind Georgia wedding ceremony in 2022 the couple took their kids to Paris together!

There is nothing better than family bonding time in one of the world’s most beautiful and romantic cities, we’re sure it was a dream gett-a-way for them all!

Lopez has maintained her support and love for Anthony throughout any and all relationships that she’s had since their split. When the pair worked on Por Primera Vez — a Spanish-language album for Lopez — she felt that it actually helped their relationship heal.

When asked about the collaboration, Lopez revealed that “when we first started working together, it’s how we met — we met working. And so we remembered that ‘oh right, we connect on this level of music.'” Furthermore, Lopez recorded her own version of one of Anthony’s songs when his mother passed away.

On July 17, Lopez confirmed via an ‘On The JLo’ newsletter that she and Affleck wed in Las Vegas the night before. In her post, she detailed the “best night ever” and shared how the couple’s children were “the best witnesses.”

J-Lo explained “It’s a beautiful outcome that this has happened in this way at this time in our lives where we can really appreciate and celebrate each other and respect each other.”

A month after marrying in Las Vegas, they celebrated their nuptials with a ceremony in Georgia in front of an all star guestlist. Celebrities including Matt Damon, Kevin Smith, Jason Mewes and top Hollywood talent agent Patrick Whitesell attended the star-studded event.

The wedding took place on the grounds of Affleck’s 87-acre compound outside Savannah. Podcaster and life coach Jay Shetty even officiated the ceremony. Talk about glamorous.

Lopez looked regal in a white Ralph Lauren gown with cap sleeves, an open-back cutout and a flowing train with ruffle detailing. A sheer cathedral-length veil completed the stunning bridal look. Meanwhile, Affleck looked handsome in his own white look. He wore a white tuxedo jacket with black trousers and a classic bowtie.

Guests were photographed wearing all-white, but left the ceremony with a new accessory — the couple sent each attendee home with a straw gift bag featuring their monogrammed initials.

Lopez shared details from her dreamy Georgia wedding ceremony, along with professional photos, in her newsletter. The singer wrote about her big day, including the moment she walked down the “aisle that would lead me toward the rest of my life.”

“When he saw me appear at the top of the stairs that moment it both made absolute sense while seeming still impossibly hard to believe, like the best dream, where all you want is never to awaken,” Lopez wrote. “I would have had many of the same thoughts probably had I not been focusing so hard on not tripping over my dress, but when I got close enough to see his face, it made the same wonderful sense to me.”

Their blended family was made all the more official when J-Lo took Ben Affleck’s last name. She explained that “people are still going to call me Jennifer Lopez,” but her legal name “will be Mrs. Affleck because we’re joined together.”

So now, the blended family consists of the Lopez, Anthony, and Affleck clans! Jennifer spoke about combining their families by saying, “It’s been like a really kind of emotional transition, but at the same time, like, all your dreams coming true.”