Jennifer Garner ‘encouraged’ Ben Affleck to mend his marriage to Jennifer Lopez before split, says source
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Jennifer Garner reportedly encouraged to offer advice to her ex-husband Ben Affleck during a challenging period in his marriage to Jennifer Lopez.
“When things started getting rocky between Ben and Jennifer [Lopez], Jen was very supportive of their relationship and encouraged Ben to work on their marriage,” a source revealed, according to Page Six.
Jennifer Garner 'encouraged' Ben Affleck to work on his marriage with Jennifer Lopez
Before Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez moved toward divorce in August, Jennifer Garner reportedly urged Affleck to work on his marriage.
Garner, who shares three children with Affleck, separated from him in 2015 after a 10-year marriage.
Garner even became friendly with Jennifer Lopez during this time, with the two women “communicating on a regular basis.”
However, the 'Elektra' star has since distanced herself, with sources noting that Garner “hasn’t been in touch” with Lopez recently but harbors no ill feelings.“At the end of the day, she just wants Ben to be happy,” the insider added.
Lopez and Affleck rekindled their romance in 2021 and married in 2022, but by 2024, their relationship faced significant challenges. In August, Lopez filed for divorce, marking the end of their marriage.
Throughout the marriage, Garner took on an unofficial role as a “marriage counselor,” despite concerns from her friends.
“Her friends feel she shouldn’t have allowed herself to get so involved,” a source told Daily Mail, citing past tensions between Garner and Lopez during Garner’s marriage to Affleck.
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner's Thanksgiving together as family
Amid the personal challenges, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner focused on their shared family.
The former couple spent Thanksgiving with their three children, Violet, 18, Fin, 15, and Samuel, 12, at a charity event in Los Angeles, handing out free meals to those in need.
“Even though Ben and Jen have been split for a while now, he feels a certain level of comfort with her,” a source shared, noting their strong co-parenting relationship.
“They’ll always be close because they share children together,” the insider added, as per OK! Magazine.
Jennifer Garner’s stabilizing role in Ben Affleck's life
A source told In Touch that Garner has been “a huge support throughout" Affleck's split from Lopez. The two maintain a strong friendship, with Affleck spending significant time at Garner’s home for family dinners and quality time with their children.
“He’s been spending a ton of time at [Garner’s] place,” another insider told Life & Style. “It’s great for his state of mind, and the kids love having him around.”
Garner has also extended an invitation to Affleck to spend Christmas together as a family. “Jen and Ben typically split their time with the kids over the holidays, but Jen offered to spend Christmas all together with Ben if he would like,” a source revealed.
“Christmas is one of Jen’s favorite holidays, and she would love for the family to be together as often as possible for these occasions,” the insider added.
