Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez’s high-profile relationship came to an end after their engagement was called off. Soon after, Affleck found love with Jennifer Garner, whom he married in June 2005. The couple had three children together, but their marriage ultimately ended in separation in 2015, with the divorce being finalized three years later.
During their marriage, Ben Affleck publicly acknowledged his struggles with alcohol addiction and credited Jennifer Garner for her support during his treatment. However, his comments about the reasons behind his addiction received backlash on social media. Some interpreted his words as blaming his marriage for his alcohol issues.
In an interview on The Howard Stern Show in 2021, Affleck discussed his relationship with Garner and why they decided to end their marriage. He explained that despite still having love and respect for each other, they realized that they shouldn’t remain married. Affleck mentioned that he had initially tried to salvage the marriage for the sake of their children, but he turned to alcohol as a coping mechanism. Both he and Garner recognized that this behavior was not a healthy example for their kids.
“We had a marriage that didn’t work. This happens. It was somebody I love and respect but to whom I shouldn’t be married [to] any longer.
I was like, ‘I can’t leave because of my kids, but I’m not happy, what do I do?’ And what I did was [I] drank a bottle of scotch and fell asleep on the couch which turned out not to be the solution…Both of us felt like we don’t want this to be the model that our kids see of marriage.
“I’d probably still be drinking. Part of why I started drinking alcohol was because I felt trapped.”
Affleck’s statement that received significant attention was when he mentioned feeling trapped and turning to alcohol. This led to widespread interpretation that he was blaming Garner and their marriage for his addiction, resulting in backlash and criticism.
In response to the controversy, Affleck clarified his intentions during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live. He expressed surprise at the negative reaction his words had received on social media, as he believed he was being honest and self-reflective. Affleck mentioned that a website had misinterpreted his two-hour conversation, distorting his words to paint him as disrespectful towards Garner and their marriage, which he vehemently denied.
Affleck emphasized that he and Garner have a respectful and caring relationship, putting their children first. He made it clear that he would never speak ill of Garner, as he did not want his children to think otherwise.
Today, Ben Affleck is married to Jennifer Lopez, while Jennifer Garner is in a happy relationship with boyfriend John Miller. Despite their separation, Affleck and Garner continue to co-parent their children, prioritizing their well-being and maintaining a positive dynamic in their family life.
