The rumor mill surrounding Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez‘s marriage has been working overtime, and it seems Affleck’s ex-wife Jennifer Garner is caught in the middle of it all. While some recent reports claimed she was “done” offering her support, insiders now say the 13 Going on 30 actress feels she has little choice but to remain involved in her ex-husband’s life.
According to OK! Magazine, Garner has been visiting Affleck “a few times a week” amid rumors of marital troubles between him and Lopez. A source told the publication, “The last thing in the world Jen wants to do is pick up the pieces of Ben and J. Lo’s broken relationship, but she has no choice.” The insider went on to suggest that things are getting pretty difficult for Affleck, who is apparently “close to his breaking point” over the situation. “That’s why she’s spending so much time with Ben,” the source shared.
The source went on to add, “People close to Ben have been concerned about him for some time. He’s in a bad place and has been isolating.”
Related: A Complete Timeline of Jennifer Lopez & Ben Affleck’s Rumored Divorce
Garner, who shares three children with Affleck—Violet, 18, Seraphina (who may be going by Fin now), 15, and Samuel, 12—is reportedly turning to her friends for support of her own. “Jen’s opening up to friends like never before about it, explaining why she’s been so involved lately and is often seen visiting Ben,” the source shared. “She wants to finally share her side of the story.”
Another insider revealed to OK! that, apparently, Garner has always harbored doubts about Affleck and Lopez’s relationship. “She says her biggest concern is Ben spiraling worse than before. She won’t let that happen,” the insider said. “Jen’s moved on from Ben as a husband, but because of the children they share, she’ll always feel responsible for him.”
Speculation about trouble in Affleck and Lopez’s marriage began to circulate earlier this year when the couple hadn’t been photographed out together for an extended period of time. Since then, recent suggest that they have been living separately, with Affleck living in a Brentwood rental since May 2024. In late June 2024, Affleck was reportedly seen moving his belongings out of the Beverly Hills mansion he had purchased with Lopez, while the Hustlers actress was seen vacationing abroad in Italy. Despite these rumors, neither Affleck nor Lopez has publicly addressed the status of their relationship.
The couple’s history dates back to 2002 when they first started dating. They got engaged that same year, but ended up calling off their wedding and relationship in 2004 after facing mounting pressure from tabloids and the paparazzi. Then, after nearly two decades apart, Affleck and Lopez rekindled their romance in 2021. They officially tied the knot in 2022, seemingly bringing their love story full circle.
But now, it remains to be seen whether Bennifer 2.0 will weather this storm or if their reunion was indeed too good to be true. In the meantime, it looks like Jennifer Garner is trying her very best to be a pillar of support for her ex-husband—for his sake, and their kids.
