When Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner divorced in October 2018, it certainly didn’t mark the end of their relationship – as the couple have remained close friends ever since. Even during the Gone Girl actor’s recent split from pop star Jennifer Lopez, the mother-of-four, who separated from Ben in 2018 after a 10-year marriage, has remained a constant force of support.
Ben and Jennifer’s Enduring Bond
Ben and Jennifer married in 2005 after meeting on the set of Pearl Harbor five years earlier. At the time they met, Jennifer was already married to Scott Foley. In 2002, the actors met again when they starred together in Daredevil. Ben told Playboy he ‘fell in love’ with Jennifer during filming for Daredevil – but a few months after its release, he popped the question to JLo. The following year, when Jennifer was still married and Ben was still engaged, the pair met once again as they made an appearance on Dinner for Five, a talk show where celebrities get together to eat, drink and chat. One of the production staff on the show, Jesse David Fox, claimed in a Vulture op-ed that he witnessed Jennifer ‘fall in love’ with Ben during filming for the talk show.
A Decade-Long Marriage and Co-Parenting
Over the next 10 years, the couple went on to have three children and constantly gushed about the other in public – with Ben dedicating a portion of his Golden Globes Best Director winning speech to his then-wife. As he collected the award for his film Argo, he said: ‘I adore you, I love you. You’re my everything.’ However, in 2015 the couple announced they were divorcing, just weeks after US Weekly reported Ben had flown the family nanny, Christine Ouzounian, to Las Vegas and quoted anonymous sources who said the pair were dating. (Ben’s representatives strenuously denied the reports). In the statement announcing their split, the couple said: ‘We go forward with love and friendship for one another and a commitment to co-parenting our children whose privacy we ask to be respected during this difficult time.’
A Constant Source of Support
And since they separated, the pair have remained true to their statement; never speaking ill of the other in public, attending events at their children’s schools together and being there for the other person when times are tough. Speaking to the Today show back in 2016, Jennifer discussed how she and the children had flown to London to be with Ben during the filming of Justice League. She said: ‘He and I are great friends, and we just all went en masse.’ That same year, she revealed how the former couple had reunited once more to celebrate Samuel’s birthday party. ‘We all dressed up, I dressed up as a ninja, and Ben dressed up as Batman for Sam, which was the best dad moment in history,’ she told Extra at the time. But perhaps Jennifer’s compassion and affection for her ex-husband was best displayed during Ben’s addiction battle with alcohol.
A True Friend in Times of Need
Ben has been open about his struggles with addiction, and Jennifer has been a constant source of support throughout his journey. In 2018, Ben checked himself into rehab for the third time, and Jennifer was spotted visiting him at the treatment center. A source close to the couple told People at the time: ‘Jen has always been supportive of Ben’s recovery. She wants him to be healthy and happy.’ The source added: ‘Jen and Ben have a great co-parenting relationship. They are both committed to their children and put their differences aside for the sake of the kids.’ As Ben navigates his latest split from J Lo, it’s clear that Jennifer will be there to offer her support and guidance. Whether or not Ben and Jennifer will rekindle their romance remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – their bond will endure for years to come.
