Matt Damon's Wife Had a Crush on Ben Affleck Before They Met!

Luciana Barroso's high school friend pointed out that Damon was the cuter one, leading to a 20-year marriage.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 8:11pm

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An extreme close-up of shimmering, textured sequins and shards of reflective glass, creating a visually striking and abstract representation of the glamour and drama surrounding celebrity relationships.A glimpse into the glitzy, high-fashion world of celebrity relationships, where the path to true love can take unexpected turns.Rockville Today

In a candid revelation, Matt Damon shared that when his wife Luciana Barroso first saw him, she actually found his close friend Ben Affleck to be the more attractive option. This surprising admission came up 23 years ago during a conversation sparked by Barroso's high school best friend, who had seen the film "Good Will Hunting" with her and pointed out that Damon was the cuter one. This twist in their love story led to their fateful meeting in 2003 in Miami, where Barroso was working as a bartender, and the two have now been married for nearly two decades with four children.

Why it matters

This anecdote not only highlights the unique dynamics of relationships, but also showcases the playful camaraderie among these Hollywood friends. It raises questions about whether the one we end up with is truly our first choice, and whether that is a testament to fate or merely a reflection of changing perspectives over time.

The details

Affleck, who recently collaborated with Barroso on their new movie "The Rip," humorously commented that he never sensed any romantic interest from her towards him. He expressed admiration for the strong bond and companionship that Damon and Barroso share, calling it a "gorgeous marriage and friendship." In a lighthearted moment, Affleck even joked about wanting to get the contact information of Barroso's best friend, only to find out that she is already happily married herself.

  • 23 years ago, during a conversation sparked by her high school best friend.
  • In 2003 in Miami, where Luciana was working as a bartender.

The players

Matt Damon

An American actor, film producer, and screenwriter who has been married to Luciana Barroso since 2005.

Luciana Barroso

Matt Damon's wife, who initially had a crush on his friend Ben Affleck before meeting Damon.

Ben Affleck

An American actor, film director, producer, and screenwriter, who is a close friend of Matt Damon.

Luciana Barroso's high school best friend

The person who pointed out to Barroso that Damon was the cuter one in the film "Good Will Hunting".

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

The takeaway

This story highlights the unique and sometimes surprising dynamics of relationships, as well as the enduring friendships and camaraderie among Hollywood stars. It raises thought-provoking questions about whether the person we end up with is truly our first choice, and how our perspectives can change over time.