All About Jennifer Lopez's Parents, Guadalupe Rodríguez and David Lopez

Jennifer Lopez’s parents are her biggest supporters

When it comes to family, Jennifer Lopez’s “love don’t cost a thing.”

The multihyphenate entertainer was raised by Guadalupe “Lupe” Rodríguez and David Lopez in the Bronx in New York City. Born on July 24, 1969, Jennifer is the middle child of three sisters — older sister Leslie and younger sister Lynda — with whom she shares a tight bond. The “Ain’t Your Mama” singer also remains incredibly close with both of her parents, who split after 33 years of marriage in 1999.

Guadalupe and David, both native Puerto Ricans, fostered the singer’s strong work ethic through their displays of determination. “I watched my parents. My dad worked nights, and I was aware of how much he was doing for us," she told W magazine in 2013. "My mom was a Tupperware lady and also worked at the school. I always felt that I couldn’t let them down."

Related: Jennifer Lopez's Sisters: All About Leslie and Lynda

Now, she’s striving to set a similar example for her own children, twins Maximilian "Max" David and Emme Maribel, whom she shares with ex-husband Marc Anthony. “I think a lot about teaching my kids to work hard,” she told W. “I’ve learned something about kids — they don’t do what you say; they do what you do.”

From the lessons Guadalupe “Lupe” Rodríguez and David Lopez have passed down to their daughter to their own lives and careers, here’s everything to know about Jennifer Lopez’s parents.

Jennifer's parents share three daughters

Guadalupe and David’s relationship unfolded out of the spotlight, with the couple going their separate ways soon after Jennifer shot to fame with her starring role in 1997’s Selena.

The former pair tied the knot in 1966 when Guadalupe was 20 years old, Jennifer later told Entertainment Tonight. The following year, Guadalupe welcomed her first child, Jennifer’s sister Leslie, on Nov. 20, 1967.

She and David expanded their family once again on July 24, 1969, with the arrival of Jennifer. Two years later, their youngest daughter, Lynda, completed the family of five on June 14, 1971. At the time, the new mom of three was 25 years old.

Calling Guadalupe a “young mom,” the Marry Me star explained, “We all grew up together. It was like living with a teenager, to be honest."

All three daughters were raised in the Bronx, where they grew up sharing a bed while their parents worked long shifts to make ends meet. Her father worked nights as a computer technician, while her mother spent her days working at a school and selling Tupperware on the side, the singer told W magazine.

Jennifer's parents split after three decades together in 1999

After about 30 years of marriage, the Second Act star’s mom and dad told her and her siblings that they were going their separate ways. It was a painful memory to revisit, Jennifer revealed to W magazine in 2013 during a visit to the block where she grew up.

“I was nervous coming here today,” she said while approaching the small two-story house where she was raised. She declined to knock on the door, explaining that her last memories in that space were difficult to digest.

“The last time I was in there was when my mom and dad called us home to tell us that they were separating after 33 years of marriage,” she revealed. “I think that’s why I was nervous about coming here today. It’s like seeing someone from the past — you’re afraid to run into them because you never know if it’s going to be ‘wow’ or very difficult. This is a combination of both.”

Jennifer's dad has always championed her

Jennifer has had her dad's encouragement for everything, she explained on the Today show in 2016. The entertainer’s father has expressed his unconditional love for her throughout her life, helping her feel seen and supported in her personal and professional lives.

"I feel like he's always been proud since I was like running track when I was 9 or 10 years old," she told host Hoda Kotb. "He was like, 'My daughter runs track!' ... It just didn't matter to him. He was just proud of me."

She added that he carefully considered the ways her life in the spotlight might weigh on her.

"He really thinks about what I go through," she said. "He said to me one time, he goes, 'I just want you to know of all the people in the world, there's one person who just loves you and doesn't want anything from you. You have that in your life.' "

The sentiment deeply moved Jennifer. "It was just, like, wow,” she said. “I have a lot of love in my life.”

Jennifer's mom secretly “prayed” she would reunite with Ben Affleck

During a conversation with Today show hosts Kotb and Savannah Guthrie, Jennifer’s mom revealed that she "knew" her daughter "would always get back together” with her now-husband, Ben Affleck.

“Because I prayed for 20 years," she added, prompting Jennifer to roll her eyes at the comment.

The singer famously dated the Gone Girl star after meeting on the Gigli set in the early 2000s. Their high-profile relationship lasted two years before they called off their engagement and went their separate ways in 2004.

More than 15 years later — after both married and divorced other partners, with whom they welcomed children — the pair went public with their rekindled love in July 2021. The following year, they said, “I do” in Las Vegas and have since spoken about their new life together and parenting as a blended family.

Speaking to ET soon after her mom’s comments made headlines, Jennifer revealed they’d never discussed her reuniting with Affleck.

"It's so funny, she never said that to me," the actress said. "We never spoke about it, no, no. She really loved him when we were together before, so maybe deep down, I don't know."

Jennifer's dad approves of her first cocktail line

David has never wavered in showing off his pride in his daughter, from celebrating her childhood track meets to her various business ventures. Over Father’s Day in June 2023, he revealed that he’s a fan of her cocktail brand, Delola.

The father-daughter duo went back and forth about the cocktails in an Instagram video featuring David sipping one of the low-alcohol beverages.

"Daddy, what was the first thing you asked me for when you got here?" Jennifer says in the clip.

"Delola," he replies with a smirk, noting that he was enjoying a paloma in the snippet. "This was made right. This lady knew what she was doing."

In the clip, she wishes her dad a happy Father’s Day and tells him she loves him. "Thank you, sweetheart, I love you more,” he says.

Jennifer and her mom “butted heads” over college

While Guadalupe’s encouragement has been a pillar in Jennifer’s life and career, she wasn’t always in favor of her daughter’s chosen career path. When the future star first revealed she wanted to pursue a career in dance, she and her mom initially “butted heads.”

“I didn’t want to go to college — I wanted to try dance full time. So she and I had a break,” she told W magazine. “I started sleeping on the sofa in the dance studio. I was homeless, but I told her, ‘This is what I have to do.’ "

Eventually, the artist's determination paid off, and her career began to take off. "A few months later, I landed a job dancing in Europe. When I got back, I booked In Living Color," Jennifer continued. "I became a Fly Girl and moved to L.A. It all happened in a year.”

Jennifer and her mom performed together at a concert

In addition to spending plenty of quality family time with Jennifer and her kids, Guadalupe has made frequent public appearances with her daughter, joining her on talk shows and even singing beside her onstage.

The two shared a particularly special moment while taping Global Citizen's Vax Live: The Concert to Reunite the World in May 2021, where Guadalupe accompanied Jennifer onstage to sing a rendition of “Sweet Caroline” — but changed the lyrics to “Sweet Jennifer.”

The pop star revealed that the song holds sentimental value for her, as her mom used to sing the song as a lullaby while rocking her as a baby.

Jennifer’s mom helped inspire her love of music and performing

Guadalupe played a crucial role in helping develop the star’s passion for performing, Jennifer shared while accepting the Icon Award at the 2020 Billboard Women in Music event.

"Music has always, always been my passion. When I was little, music took the mundane and elevated it into a celebration. It's been my obsession ever since," she said. "And along with dance, it was my first love.”

The "On the Floor" vocalist shared that Guadalupe was the first to teach her dance moves, and they would "sing the oldies" or hit songs of the time together. "Those were my first performances, and it's what inspired me to do what I've had the privilege to do for all of you all these years," Jennifer added.

Guadalupe also helped Jennifer develop her work ethic, she told Rolling Stone in 2022, explaining that she was both “a fun mom” and tough enough to prepare Jennifer for the ups and downs of a career in the music industry.

“My mom was also the mom who got me into musicals and introduced me to all kinds of music. I am an entertainer because of my mom," she told the outlet. "But I'm also able to survive the things I've survived in this business because my mom was tough. I don't think she could realize what she was preparing me for, but she did."

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