Timeline of Jen and Zac Affleck’s Relationship: Insights from ‘Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’
Fans have varied viewpoints on Jen Affleck and Zac Affleck‘s marriage following their journey portrayed in The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.
The romance between Jen and Zac kicked off in 2018, culminating in their marriage a year later. Following the addition of two children to their family, they participated in Hulu’s reality show The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, which centered on a collective of Mormon motherhood influencers from Utah. During Season 1, viewers witnessed Jen and Zac nearly part ways, only to realize their relationship was still evolving.
“Since we wrapped filming, we’ve been engaging in continuous therapy, and it has been incredibly beneficial,” Jen revealed to Us Weekly exclusively in September 2024 after the show’s debut. “Thus, it’s essentially exposure therapy now. We’ve worked through our issues and are prepared to discuss it openly.”
She also dispelled rumors that Zac influenced her departure from MomTok, explaining, “It was primarily about me figuring things out. There were numerous aspects — not merely our relationship — including faith, friendships, and my kids.”
Jen Affleck’s initial season of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives proved to be quite a challenge. Throughout the Hulu series, Jen confronted significant inquiries — and apprehensions — from her co-stars regarding her marriage with Zac Affleck. A pivotal moment arose when Zac discovered that Jen was visiting a Chippendales event.
She added, “To ensure the best choice for myself and my family, I had to pause and contemplate, ‘What’s the best path forward for us?’ You’ll need to watch season 2 for the unfolding story.”
That same month, Jen commended Zac for his unwavering support — both emotionally and financially — since the onset of their relationship.
“Zac gifted me my first laptop when he had merely $10 in his account. When I expressed my desire to run a marathon, he trained with me and participated in it. I shared my aspirations of launching a videography venture, and he saved up to get me my first camera. As we awaited the arrival of our first child, I longed for a stable home, and he devoted himself to providing us with our first house,” she recounted on Instagram. “He provided me with stability as well as the freedom to pursue my online aspirations, which enabled me to support him and our family while he pursued his education.”
Jen emphasized that she “couldn’t have” achieved her success without Zac’s partnership.
“Is Zac flawless? No. Does he have issues we’ve had to address? Absolutely. But I can assure you, he has been my biggest supporter and believer,” she reflected. “We’re still on our journey, blessed with our two beautiful children, yet we still face challenges like many couples do. However, do we cherish one another? Yes. Are we committed to improving our relationship? Yes. Have there been times when we thought about separating? Certainly. But there’s much more to our marriage than what people perceive.”
Following Hulu’s renewal of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives for a second season, viewers expressed curiosity about the status of Jen and Zac’s relationship. The duo stepped back from sharing personal moments on social media after relocating from Utah to New York for Zac’s medical schooling.
Keep reading to trace Jen and Zac’s relationship timeline before — and after — The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives:
2018
Jen and Zac entered a relationship in 2018 after meeting on the Mutual dating app catered to Mormons. One year later, Zac proposed at Top of the Rock in New York City.
Who says true love doesn’t happen in the realm of reality television? Although many marital unions depicted on reality shows often lead to divorce, some couples continue to defy the odds. For example, Big Brother’s Nicole Franzel and Victor Arroyo met while filming season 18 of the show back in 2016. The timing led to enduring bonds.
2019
The couple exchanged vows in 2019 at a local temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“I recognized Zac was my soulmate when I realized life without him was unimaginable and I cherished his astounding qualities,” Jen expressed via Instagram leading up to their wedding day. “I feel fortunate to have a partner who loves me unconditionally, prioritizes me, and inspires me to be a better partner, friend, daughter, and person. Not to mention, he makes me the happiest girl on earth.”
2021
In November 2021, the couple welcomed their first child, a daughter named Nora. The reality star shared her thoughts on this significant milestone three years later, posting on Instagram, “Nora adds so much joy and brightness to our lives; I feel incredibly blessed to be her mother 🥺 There are so many qualities I love about her — she’s vibrant, kind, and full of spirit. … For us, she genuinely is everything.”
2022
“Three years ago today, I made the best choice of my life — to marry my best friend. It was a day to cherish forever,” Jen expressed on social media. “Being surrounded by loved ones, making promises to each other, we were overjoyed to start this new chapter. I wish I could relive every moment of that day. It was truly a DREAM.”
2023
Their son, Lucas, was born in July 2023.
“We were very young as first-time parents with a lot to learn, but Zac has consistently been there for us,” Jen stated on Instagram for Father’s Day 2024. “He has always provided everything for Nora and Luca.”
A number of celebrity couples have captured our attention — and gained our affection — in 2024. The year gifted us with joyful stories, including Bachelor Nation’s Joey Graziadei proposing to Kelsey Anderson during The Bachelor Season 28, which premiered in January. The first-ever Golden Bachelorette, Joan Vassos, also accepted a proposal from Chock Chapple.
September 2024
As Season 1 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives premiered on Hulu, the couple endured some public challenges. Initially, Jen was portrayed as a conservative figure within the Mormon community. However, it wasn’t until the season’s end that audiences witnessed her relationship troubles when Zac accused her of lacking “values or morals” for attending a girls’ night out in Las Vegas.
Additionally, Jen’s costar Demi Engemann alleged she saw messages indicating that Zac threatened to terminate their marriage, claimed he no longer loved her, and had made Jen come to his hotel room to sort out their differences. Demi also suggested Zac struggled with gambling, an action opposed by the Mormon faith.
“I believe there were several things Jen was doing at the time that may have been rooted in Zac’s insecurities,” Demi commented to Us back then. “I genuinely feel she has rediscovered her voice and now stands firm on her right to pursue what feels right for her while respecting her relationship.”
Another co-star, Jessi Ngatikaura, raised concerns regarding “the influence” Zac exerted on Jen.
“He considers himself the head of the household and has a strong stance on various matters,” Jessi shared with Us. “I don’t think Jen would have made that decision to leave without his influence, especially since she values the friendships she has.”
September 2024
The couple not only made headlines for their tumultuous relationship; after Zac asserted his familial connection to actor Ben Affleck on air, both fans and co-stars became skeptical about the legitimacy of that claim.
“I don’t believe Jen would fabricate that. I truly don’t, but perhaps [Zac] might. We’ve witnessed glimpses of his behavior,” Jessi remarked during an appearance on Scheana Shay’s “Scheananigans” podcast. “Alternatively, it’s possible that Ben Affleck’s team is like, ‘We want nothing to do with you guys.’ Maybe they’re trying to discredit him since he’s not portraying himself well.”
Jessi further noted that Jen and Zac “emphasized their last name significantly.” Later reports indicated that Jen and Zac do not share a blood relation with Ben, a point they have yet to clarify. Jen previously mentioned to Us that she hadn’t encountered Ben before.
“We’ve never crossed paths,” she stated in September 2024. “Zac’s father met him ages ago. Hopefully, we’ll have a chance to meet him soon since we are family.”
September 2024
In the face of backlash regarding her marriage on social media, Jen reaffirmed her commitment to Zac.
“I firmly believe that it’s been beneficial for our relationship. While many viewers might think the show could deteriorate our bond, it actually served the opposite purpose,” Jen explained to Us when asked how the series affected their marriage. “Being on camera during those moments gave us the chance to pause, evaluate our relationship, and determine what changes need to be made.”
September 2024
Jen took to Instagram to articulate her reflections on the key moments in her relationship with Zac.
“We were just youngsters when we wed — naive and inexperienced, really unprepared for what lay ahead. With our vastly different backgrounds, families, and upbringings, it seemed improbable. We were each other’s opposites,” she expressed in her caption. “How could we make this collaboration work? How could we interpret the same vision?”
Jen admitted that the two have not always seen eye to eye, stating, “We don’t consistently agree, and often, we still don’t. But that’s the essence of marriage — we persist in our efforts. I genuinely believe we needed to impart valuable lessons to one another.”
October 2024
Jen sparked rumors of a split when she posted several TikTok videos that prominently displayed her missing left-hand ring. While Jen did not directly address the speculation, Zac continued to appear in her posts on different social media platforms.
December 2024
Just one month post-premiere, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives was renewed for a second season by Hulu. As filming commenced, Jen and Zac transitioned from Utah to New York, leaving their involvement with the show in limbo.
“Stepping away from social media has proven to be one of the most beneficial decisions for my mental well-being,” Jen noted on her Instagram Story. “Honesty, these past few months have been among the most challenging, yet they have granted me insight into my identity, my relationships, and the kind of mother and friend I aspire to be.”
Meanwhile, Zac kept his Instagram private. His bio read, “Official Fan Page of Jen, Nora and Luca @jenniferlaffleck.”
