It’s been over half a decade since Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck announced their divorce after ten years of marriage. The high-profile couple have three children together – Violet, Seraphina, and Samuel. In a new interview with Vanity Fair, Garner spoke candidly about the divorce, her career, and her focus on being a mom.
The split between the Hollywood power couple made major headlines last year. Now, in her first in-depth interview since the divorce announcement, Garner is opening up about what led to the end of their marriage, how she found out about Affleck’s affair with their nanny, and her life as a working mom post-divorce.
Jennifer Garner Says Their Marriage Didn’t Work
Jennifer Garner made it clear that she tried everything to make her marriage work before deciding to file for divorce.
“I didn’t marry the big fat movie star; I married him,” she said. “And I would go back and remake that decision. I ran down the beach to him, and I would again. You can’t have these three babies and much of what we had. He’s the love of my life.”
She admitted,
“The main thing that I have felt since the divorce is that people want to discuss it.” Garner understood why but maintained, “I have nothing to hide, and Ben would say the same.”
Garner revealed that she and Affleck did everything they could to save their marriage before finally divorcing.
“We had been separated for months before I ever heard about the nanny,” Garner said. “She had nothing to do with our decision to divorce. Bad judgment? Yes. It’s not great for your kids for [a nanny] to disappear from their lives.”
Also Read: “Bless his heart”: Jennifer Lopez and Jennifer Garner Agree on One Bad Thing About Ben Affleck
Affair With Nanny Had Nothing To Do Their Divorce
There was intense speculation that Affleck’s affair with the family’s nanny prompted Garner to file for divorce. But Garner shut down those rumors, saying the experience came after they had decided to separate.
“We had been separated for months before I ever heard about the nanny,” said Garner. “She had nothing to do with our decision to divorce. Bad judgment? Yes. It’s not great for your kids for [a nanny] to disappear from their lives.”
Garner clarified that she would never have left Ben Affleck simply because of his infidelity, saying, “I didn’t marry the big fat movie star; I married him.” The decision to divorce was made long before news of the affair came out.
Jennifer Garner is Focusing On Her Career and Kids
While Affleck has been dominating headlines lately with news of his relationship with SNL producer Lindsay Shookus, Garner has mainly stayed out of the spotlight.
“I’m just getting through my days. I feel the stress of it. I do,” she said. “It’s such an unreliable way to live. And there’s no way to continue this pace and keep your health. I want to go on with my life!”
Garner said she’s been focused on work and being a mom to her three kids since the separation.
“I’m starting to get excited about working again. They’re getting older, so I will feel freer to focus on work,” she explained. “I’m happy with my choices.”
Her priority has been providing stability for her children during this transition.
While no divorce is easy, Garner remains optimistic about the future and her ability to co-parent with Affleck. “I have had to have conversations about the meaning of ‘scandal,'” she said about explaining the breakup to her kids.
“I’ve always felt a little bit like I’m a perennial 291⁄2-year-old in this business,” she said. “Like I never quite grew up with the rest of Hollywood.”
Ultimately Garner is optimistic, saying, “We will be just fine.” She’s focusing on the next chapter in her life as both an actress and a dedicated mother.
Source: Vanity Fair
