Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez's Complete Relationship Timeline, Down to Their Official Breakup
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After four years of dating, Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez ended their relationship in March 2021. The split came two years after the couple got engaged in March 2019.
Throughout their years-long run, the couple shared many sweet moments on Instagram, supported each other's work, and blended their respective families.
The pair first met each other at a New York Yankees baseball game when Lopez was still married to Marc Anthony, her now ex-husband and the father to her children. The two met again 12 years later, turning their acquaintance into a full-blown romance.
Here, a definitive timeline of Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez's relationship, from humble beginnings to the bittersweet end.
1999—Rodriguez gets Lopez's autograph.
Rodriguez met Lopez and asked for her autograph. "#TBT to almost 20 years ago when a big time global pop superstar signed a pic for a young ball player," he posted on Instagram. And two decades later, he still has it.
May 21, 2005—Lopez and Rodriguez meet again.
Lopez attended a Yankees game at Shea Stadium in Queens, New York with her then husband, Marc Anthony.
At the time, Lopez and Rodriguez were both married. Lopez and Anthony tied the knot in 2004 and went on to have two children, Maximillian David and Emme Maribel Muñiz. Rodriguez married his former spouse, Cynthia Scurtis, in 2002. The pair had two daughters, Natasha and Ella Rodriguez. Rodriguez divorced from Scurtis in 2008, while Lopez later divorced from Anthony in 2014.
March 8, 2017—Lopez and Rodriguez are confirmed to be dating.
A People report confirms that Lopez and Rodriguez are officially a couple: "She seems excited. He has been around her family, and she really likes that he is a dad. She is aware, though, that he is a ladies’ man too and is being cautious. For now, it’s just fun. She is single and enjoys dating."
In April, Rodriguez appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show to explain in detail how he and Lopez re-established contact. "Someone taps me on the shoulder, and I turn around and I do not recognize this person. And it's Jennifer, but she's dressed up as Harlee from Shades of Blue, and she's in her jeans and her big boots. And it took me about four or five seconds. And she said, 'It's Jennifer! It's Jennifer!' I go, 'Oh my God, Jennifer, you look beautiful.' I was so embarrassed and then I got a little nervous, and I'm like, This is so goofy, we all know who Jennifer is and she's everywhere. Then we basically had a small chit-chat...and she says, 'You have my number, reach out.' And I went home that night and reached out."
Lopez appeared on the show later that month and said that she spotted Rodriguez while she was eating out at a restaurant for lunch. She told DeGeneres that she "was having lunch somewhere and I saw him as he passed by. Afterwards, I went outside, and for some reason I felt like tapping him on the shoulder." After their chance encounter, Rodriguez decided to make the next move: "He texted me, said, 'Let's go out to dinner,' and I said, 'Okay.' We had a nice dinner," Lopez added.
April 8, 2017—Lopez posts her first couples' picture on Instagram.
A month after the two are confirmed to be dating, Lopez posts a picture of herself watching a Yankees game in the comfort of a living room, her legs resting on what look to be Rodriguez's.
April 23, 2017—Lopez begins posting Rodriguez on her account.
Lopez posts a clearer nod to her relationship with the baseball star, this time with a montage clip of her new beau's most successful Yankees games.
May 1, 2017—Lopez and Rodriguez make their relationship Instagram official.
While on the way to the Met Gala, Lopez and Rodriguez take car selfies with each other and post them to their respective accounts. At the annual fashion event, the couple made their first official red carpet debut with each other.
June 19, 2017—Lopez and Rodriguez go on vacation together.
Lopez takes to Instagram to document snippets of her Paris "baecation" with Rodriguez. The couple look super happy in their pictures together.
July 23, 2017—Lopez and Rodriguez have a joint birthday party.
The couple that stays together birthdays together. Because their birthdays are so close to one another, the couple celebrates with one big birthday bash. Lopez's birthday is on July 24, while Rodriguez's birthday is on July 27. (They're both Leos!)
October 18, 2017—Lopez and Rodriguez reportedly make plans to move in together.
People report that the couple are taking steps toward moving in together. "They will invest together in a new home when they find the perfect one. They are starting to make more financial decisions together," a source says. "It’s nice for Jennifer to be with a man who has his own money and spends it wisely."
October 21, 2017—Lopez and Rodriguez grace the cover of Vanity Fair together.
November 26, 2017—Lopez and Rodriguez spend their first Thanksgiving together.
And a month later, the couple spend their first Christmas together, surrounded by their family members.
February 14, 2018—The couple celebrates their first Valentine's Day.
Both Rodriguez and Lopez post Snapchat videos of themselves together, using fun filters, and wish their followers a happy Valentine's day.
Earlier that same month, Lopez opens up to Entertainment Tonight about how happy she is in her relationship. "We both are so happy about our lives right now and where we're at professionally, as well as personally...things seem to be flowing in a really beautiful way. We both have a lot of support for each other and a lot of love for each other."
March 15, 2018—Lopez reveals that she's not in a rush to get married.
In an interview with Harper's Bazaar, Lopez discusses her current beliefs on marriage. (Lopez has been married three times.) "I do believe in marriage, and I would love to grow old with somebody in a committed relationship. But I'm not forcing anything right now," she says. "It's good, it's healthy; we communicate well. We understand each other's lives in a way that most other people couldn't."
May 7, 2018—Lopez and Rodriguez attend their second Met Gala.
The couple look even more stunning together for their second Met Gala appearance, with Lopez in a crystal-encrusted Balmain gown and Rodriguez in a polished black suit and tie.
July 5, 2018—Lopez and Rodriguez spark engagement rumors.
While out at the beach, Lopez and Rodriguez pose for a pic as they lounge on the sand. Fans spot a silver ring on Lopez's engagement finger, which sparks speculation that the pair are engaged to be married, but it turns out that the ring really is just a ring.
July 24–27, 2018—They post sweet birthday tributes to each other on Instagram.
August 20, 2018—Lopez and Rodriguez attend the VMAs together.
Lopez steps out on to the VMAs pink carpet with Rodriguez on her arm.
Towards the end of the award ceremony, Lopez accepts the Video Vanguard Award, which celebrates a musician's career and accomplishments within the music industry. While onstage, Lopez uses a good portion of her acceptance speech to thank Rodriguez: "Alex. You are like my twin soul. We are like mirror images of each other. My life is sweeter and better with you in it, because you make me realize that every day, the sky is not the limit. The universe is infinite, and so is what we can accomplish together, with love and trust and understanding. There so much more to do and to experience, and there is nobody I would rather do it with, baby. You are my macho, and I love you."
November 22, 2018—Lopez and Rodriguez show off their blended family.
For Thanksgiving, Rodriguez takes to Instagram to share an adorable picture of his and Lopez's children all cuddled together in bed, everyone wearing a smile. "Thankful for mornings like this with the ones I love most. I am truly blessed," he writes in the photo's caption.
December 12, 2018—Lopez appears on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon.
During her appearance on the late-night show, Lopez discusses her Video Vanguard Award acceptance, which leads to a discussion of her relationship with Rodriguez. "He’s come into my life and really contributed in such a way. He’s so supportive, he’s so loving," she says, a little tearfully. "He’s one of these people, he’s like, ‘Shine, be the best.’ Some people try to dull you down, try to squish you down, and he’s so not like that. And it’s just so refreshing. It’s just such a beautiful thing. He's just a very loving, generous spirit."
December 25, 2018—Lopez and Rodriguez spend their second Christmas together.
Lopez and Rodriguez spend the holiday with each other and their kids while wearing matching Christmas pajamas.
February 3, 2019—Lopez and Rodriguez celebrate their two-year anniversary.
The pair share loving posts about the relationship milestone on their respective accounts.
A week later, the couple attend the Grammys together, followed by the Oscars on February 24.
March 9, 2019—Lopez and Rodriguez are officially engaged.
While on their beach vacation in the Bahamas, Rodriguez asks Lopez to marry him. Naturally, the two document the engagement on Instagram, where fans are treated to gorgeous shots of the proposal and the stunning diamond ring.
According to an Us Weekly source, Lopez's diamond ring is reported to be about 15 carats and could be worth a whopping $1.4 million dollars. “A-Rod went with a very classic emerald-cut diamond which accentuates Jennifer’s fingers with its elongated shape. The diamond looks to be around 15 carats and is colorless with the highest clarity,” says Brandon Hill of Steve Quick Jeweler. “It’s set in a simple but elegant solitaire mounting, which will look beautiful with a wedding band next to it in the future.”
After the news of the engagement drops, a source tells People, "Jennifer is ecstatic and so are their families and friends. Very few people knew Alex planned on proposing. It was very much a surprise for Jennifer. It was just how Alex wanted it."
March 10, 2019—Rodriguez is accused of cheating on Lopez.
Just a day after the couple announce their engagement, former Yankees baseball player Jose Canseco accuses Rodriguez of cheating on Lopez with his ex-wife in a series of tweets:
Watching World of Dance watching J.Lo text Alex Rodriguez little does she know that he is cheating on her with my ex-wife Jessica poor girl she has no idea who he really is
— Jose Canseco (@JoseCanseco) March 11, 2019
I was there a few months back with her when he called her on her phone
— Jose Canseco (@JoseCanseco) March 11, 2019
Alex Rodriguez stop being a piece of shit stop cheating on Jennifer Lopez
— Jose Canseco (@JoseCanseco) March 11, 2019
Lopez and Rodriguez do not comment on the allegations, but Canesco's ex-wife Jessica does. She re-downloads Twitter to her phone specifically so she can publicly set the record straight, saying, "Those false accusations Jose is making are not true! I have known Alex for many years and haven’t even seen him for over 5. I certainly did not sleep with him. I am friendly with both him and Jennifer. As for Jose he can keep playing with his Alien friends."
Those false accusations Jose is making are not true!🖐🏻I have known Alex for many years and haven’t even seen him for over 5. I certainly did not sleep with him. I am friendly with both him and Jennifer. As for Jose he can keep playing with his Alien friends😂🤦♀️
— jessicacanseco (@jessicacanseco) March 12, 2019
Canesco states that the last time she was with Rodriguez, she was accompanied by her boyfriend and they all went out to dinner.
Those false accusations Jose is making are not true!🖐🏻I have known Alex for many years and haven’t even seen him for over 5. I certainly did not sleep with him. I am friendly with both him and Jennifer. As for Jose he can keep playing with his Alien friends😂🤦♀️
— jessicacanseco (@jessicacanseco) March 12, 2019
March 20, 2019—Lopez and Rodriguez collaborate on a Quay Australia sunglasses line.
Lopez and Rodriguez partner up with Quay Australia to create their own his and hers sunglasses line. Lopez tells ELLE about the joint venture: "The main thing for us was making sure it captured both of our styles. It needed to be classic but also glamorous and sexy because that's kind of the field that we like to play in as far as fashion goes, and our life, by the way. We just wanted to have a strong sense of our self-expression and of who we really are. I think they really nailed that."
March 22, 2019—Lopez and Rodriguez get the seal of approval from Barack and Michelle Obama.
Rodriguez takes to Instagram to share a hand-written note from the Obamas congratulating the couple on their engagement. The note reads: “Jennifer + Alex, Michelle and I just wanted to congratulate you on your engagement. After 26 years together, we can say that whatever challenges life may bring, sharing them with someone you love makes it all better. All the best.”
May 6, 2019—Lopez and Rodriguez attend the Met Gala together.
The newly-engaged couple owned the red carpet, with Lopez dressing up in a sparkly Versace gown and Rodriguez a pink suit jacket and black bowtie.
May 29, 2019—Lopez says she's in no rush to marry Rodriguez.
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight she explained that while she said wedding planning was "going good," she insisted, "I think we have a pretty busy year ahead of us, so you know, we are [taking it slow]."
"There's no rush," she continued. "We really see this as something that's gonna be forever, and we're gonna just take our time and do it right. And do it not rushed."
June 3, 2019—The couple attends the CFDA Fashion Awards.
Rodriguez accompanied Lopez the night she received the 2019 Fashion Icon Award at the CFDA Fashion Awards. During her speech, she thanked her fiancé, his children, and her own children whom “make me feel like the most beautiful person in the world just for being loved.”
That same month Lopez opened up about the first time she and Rodriguez met for a Sports Illustrated profile of him. “We shook hands, and it was this weird electricity for, like, three seconds,” she said of their 2005 meet-cute. “Three to five seconds of looking at somebody right in their eyes, and getting stuck.”
July 7, 2019—Rodriguez comforts Lopez after a difficult concert.
While performing across the country for her It’s My Party tour, Lopez shared a video diary in which Rodriguez consoles her after a challenging show. When she confides in him that she missed a few steps, he insists, “It was the best show I've seen so far. It was Saturday night in Vegas and you guys killed it! And you showed that you’re a champion, baby. [You were] down and you still came back up and had the best show so far...Every time I see the show, they keep getting better and better and better.”
A few days later, Rodriguez posted a tribute to Lopez and her tour captioning a photo on IG, "Bronx to Madison Square Garden. For a cab driver, it’s just a 9.2-mile ride. But for @jlo, the road from being a kid running around with holes in her shoes in the Bronx to headlining at the world’s most famous arena, was long and arduous and took years of hard work and relentless dedication. Keep on killing it girl ❤️ #ItsMyParty #boss."
July 16, 2019—It's revealed that Rodriguez helped Lopez prepare for her Hustlers role.
As it turns out, Rodriguez played a part in preparing Lopez for the role of Ramona in Hustlers. The movie's director Lorene Scafaria told Vulture that when prepping for the movie, "She and Alex went and visited a strip club, and she was able to give me some … insights."
July 23 brought Lopez's 50th birthday, while Rodriguez turned 44 four days later. Both posted celebratory videos for the other on Instagram.
September 7, 2019—Lopez and Rodriguez attend the Hustlers premiere.
Lopez and Rodriguez walked the Toronto International Film Festival red carpet in celebration of her new movie, Hustlers.
September 22, 2019—Rodriguez honors the J.Lo Versace moment.
Lopez created a moment after walking the Versace runway during Milan Fashion Week runway nearly 20 years after the 2000 Grammys and subsequent launch of Google Images. "This woman…" Rodriguez captioned a selfie of Lopez in the legendary dress, sharing his own appreciation of the event.
September 27, 2019—The couple has a celebration for their engagement.
Lopez and Rodriguez each posted photos from their engagement party to social media. Although, the pair is still taking it slow when it comes to wedding planning. Lopez told Evening Standard magazine that a busy schedule prevented them from wedding sooner. “I have a movie I’m shooting in October [Marry Me] and the movie has an album that goes with it, so I'm just a little bit busy right now,” she explained. “And until October, he has the World Series in baseball. We’re going to have to pick a day, pick a time and block it out, but we’re definitely talking about it.” She said marriage is “important” to them because they “both come from traditional Latin families and we want that.”
November 18, 2019—Lopez tells GQ about when she knew Rodriguez was The One.
In an interview with GQ about Hustlers, Lopez was asked what initially drew her to Rodriguez. She explained:
"I mean, we're very similar," she said. "We're really alike in our drive, in our ambition. He's an athlete. He wanted to be the best. I'm the same way. I just want to be great at what I do. We're both like that. We're both super-hard workers. We're driven by our passions. And we have a tremendous amount of respect for each other. Everybody in the room can be talking, and if he says something, I key in on it, and if everybody in the room is kinda in his ear and I go, 'I don't think that's the right thing,' he'll hear me; he'll listen. He knows I only have his best interest at heart, and I only want him to thrive and succeed and to be his best self. And I believe that he wants that for me. He wants me to be seen and to get what I deserve. Like, he's made his half a billion. And he's like, 'I want you to have that.'"
December 5, 2019—Rodriguez appears on Lopez's episode of SNL.
Rodriguez and Lopez were photographed heading to the Saturday Night Live after-party after her hosting stint. Rodriguez even made a small cameo in the episode, during a skit in which Lopez runs off with Pete Davidson's recurring character Chad.
December 25, 2019—The couple spends the holidays together.
The couple ended the year spending time with their families over the holidays. Both Lopez and Rodriguez shared posts of themselves in matching Christmas pajamas. At the start of the new year, each shared videos recapping 2019 and pics of themselves spending New Year's Eve with their four children.
January 2020—Lopez and Rodriguez conquer awards season.
Lopez celebrated her Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild, and Critics' Choice nominations for Hustlers with Rodriguez by her side. At the beginning of the month, ahead of Lopez's Spotlight Award at the Palm Springs International Film, Rodriguez wrote on IG, "From the moment I first saw @hustlersmovie I knew this was a special role. She crushed it as Ramona and is deserving of every accolade that comes from it. Her talent is only matched by her passion to be the best and I am constantly in awe of her. #Superstar #CongratsBaby #TeAmo."
After Lopez lost the Best Supporting Actress category at the Golden Globes (to Marriage Story's Laura Dern) Rodriguez shared another sweet message to his partner. "Jen, it doesn’t take a trophy, medal, or plaque to identify a true champion. To millions of young women who have watched you and have been inspired and empowered to do amazing things in their lives, you are a champion," he began in his supportive IG caption.
February 2, 2020—Lopez performs during the Super Bowl LIV halftime show.
Rodriguez extended his support into Lopez's next big career endeavor—co-headlining the Super Bowl halftime show. During her performance, the camera cut to Rodriguez dancing alongside his daughters. He posted a video from the night to Instagram captioned, "AMAZING!! She ABSOLUTELY CRUSHED IT! Wow, that was so fun! I’m so proud of you, Jen! ❤️"
While in Miami, Page Six reported that the couple dined on a double date with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry at 1 Hotel in Miami South Beach's restaurant, Habitat. "Harry and Meghan got on really well with Jennifer and Alex, and spent some time chatting with them over dinner," a source said. "J.Lo was overheard inviting the couple and their baby Archie to her and Alex’s house in Miami to spend time with them and their kids."
February 29, 2020—Lopez says she's isn't rush to get married.
During a sit down with Oprah Winfrey on her 2020 Vision: Your Life In Focus Tour in Los Angeles, Lopez spoke about her wedding timeline, per People. "I said, 'If we're going to be together for the rest of our lives, what is the rush?,'" Lopez explained. "If that’s what we’re really going to do, if we’re really going to be partners, if we’re really going to try to build something together that we both never had or never felt like we had, which is a family with a husband and a wife, and a mother and father, and we embrace all our children. We show them it’s something that we didn’t have."
However, Lopez said her feelings on the wedding had evolved since Rodriguez first proposed. "It’s so funny because when we first got engaged, I was like, 'Oh, we’re going to get married in a couple of months,'" she told Winfrey. "Like your old thinking comes right back, like all that hopeless romantic that made me get married three times."
April 7, 2020—The couple postpones their wedding.
The coronavirus pandemic has impacted wedding plans the world over, J.Lo's included. During a virtual interview with Ellen DeGeneres, she was asked about changes to her and Rodriguez's ceremony. The pandemic "did affect [our wedding plans] a little bit," she told the host. "So, we will see what happens now. Honestly, I really don't know what's going to happen now as far as dates or anything like that. We're just kind of in a holding pattern like the rest of the world. So, again, it's something we're just going to have to wait and see in a few months how this all pans out."
As for when the couple could walk down the aisle? Days later, a source told Us Weekly that the pair would proceed with the lavish ceremony Italy ceremony they had planned at a later date. "It was all planned out and paid for," the source told the outlet. "They obviously had to postpone it due to coronavirus, but J.Lo wants to marry A-Rod shortly after things go back to normal. She wants to marry him and celebrate their love in front of her family and close friends."
April 12, 2020—Rodriguez supports Lopez's Instagram Live with her ex Diddy.
While the world quarantines, celebrities are taking to Instagram Live to keep spirits high. Lopez made an appearance on Diddy's Team Love Dance-A-Thon, which raises money for frontline workers. She appeared alongside (rumored ex) Drake as well as Ciara and Demi Lovato. Clearly, Rodriguez is supportive of Lopez and Diddy's friendship, as he popped into the livestream at one point. "Puffy, you have to know this because I don't think you know this—this guy right here is your biggest fan," Lopez told the rapper, signaling to Rodriguez.
January 14, 2021—Lopez reveals she and Rodriguez have postponed their wedding twice due to COVID-19.
In an interview with ELLE, Lopez revealed that she and Rodriguez planned their wedding not once but twice in 2020—and because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, they had to scrap plans both times. She stressed she wasn't in a hurry to wed Rodriguez.
“We postponed the wedding twice," she said. "We had planned what we really, really wanted to do, [but] I don’t know if we’ll be able to re-create that. We canceled it, and since then we haven’t really talked about it. There’s no rush. We want to do it right when we can do it. We just have to wait to see where the world lands."
January 21, 2021—A-Rod and J.Lo attend Joe Biden's inauguration together.
Lopez and Rodriguez flew to Washington, D.C. to take in President Biden's inauguration together. Lopez performed, and she and A-Rod took plenty of photos documenting their time in the Capitol. There were PDA shots of course, a very public signal that the couple of four years was on and strong then.
February 9, 2021—A source makes it clear that A-Rod cheating rumors sparked by Madison LeCroy haven't affected Lopez and Rodriguez's relationship.
Days after Southern Charm star Madison LeCroy suggested she and Rodriguez may have been talking over DM, a source shot down the cheating rumors to Entertainment Tonight.
Lopez and Rodriguez “are so connected both romantically as a couple and as a family with their kids and these rumors wouldn’t break that," the source said. "Jennifer isn’t bothered and doesn’t care about the Alex and Madison rumors. She thinks it’s outside noise and trusts Alex. She’s so in love with him.”
March 10, 2021—A source tells ET that J.Lo and A-Rod are still planning to wed.
Just two days before Lopez and Rodriguez's breakup was reported, Entertainment Tonight was given a polar-opposite outlook on their relationship. A source told the outlet that the wedding was on.
"Jennifer and Alex are still planning on getting married," the source said. "He is so into her and they have so much fun together. It is amazing how well they get along. She trusts him like no one else she has been with, and is in one of the best places in her career and personal life."
"He is her biggest fan," the source added. "[He] tells her how gorgeous, smart and perfect she is all day. He is so in love with her and has no problem showing it."
March 12, 2021—Reports come out that Lopez and Rodriguez split after four years of dating.
Lopez and Rodriguez called off their engagement on Friday, March 12, TMZ reported—and shortly after, multiple outlets received intel and ran reports of the breakup. A source told People that the couple's issues weren't sudden and that their work together delayed their inevitable split.
"This has been a long time coming," People's source said. "They are tied in their business worlds so it's not a cut and dry break up. It's taken a while for them to even think about untangling it all."
March 13, 2021—Lopez and Rodriguez deny breakup reports, saying they are working through their issues.
The morning after breakup reports broke on multiple outlets, Lopez and Rodriguez release a statement to TMZ, denying their split. They said: “All the reports are inaccurate. We are working through some things.”
April 10, 2021—Lopez posts photos of herself without her engagement ring, sparking breakup rumors again.
In the weeks after Lopez and Rodriguez's statement, outlets like E! ran reports about Rodriguez's private attempts to save their relationship. He flew multiple weekends to the Dominican Republic, where Lopez was shooting Shotgun Wedding at the time, to make the in-person effort to repair things.
“They are trying to figure things out,” a source told E! on March 15. “He absolutely does not want to split up and has made many promises to try and keep her.”
On March 25, one source made the situation sound promising to E!: “Things between the two of them are heading in the right direction.”
But Lopez sent a different message on her social media. Rodriguez remained missing from her Instagram and hadn't appeared on Lopez's feed since February 27. On April 10, she shared new photos of herself at work on Shotgun Wedding. Her engagement ring was missing, prompting fan speculation that she had privately called things off with Rodriguez.
April 15, 2021—Lopez and Rodriguez announce they've broken up.
Lopez and Rodriguez made news of their split official with a joint statement they gave The Today Show. “We have realized we are better as friends and look forward to remaining so,” the couple said. “We will continue to work together and support each other on our shared businesses and projects. We wish the best for each other and one another’s children. Out of respect for them, the only other comment we have to say is thank you to everyone who has sent kind words and support.”
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