Jennifer Garner Describes Her 'Hard' Divorce From Ben Affleck
Even though it's been nearly ten years since their divorce was finalized, the split between Jennifer and Ben still causes a lot of buzz amongst pop culture lovers. They were one of the early 2000s' it couples,' and the ending of their marriage was rather surprising, especially since they had three young children.
The 13 Going On 30 actress is Marie Claire U.K.'s January cover star, and sat down for an interview to talk all about her career, off-camera business ventures, and, notably, her relationship with Ben, and how their divorce impacted her life and future. She also revealed how she felt about her divorce and marital troubles being so highly publicized when they first split in 2015.
"You have to be smart about what you can and can't handle, and I could not handle what was out there. But what was out there," she told the magazine, adding that the distance between them "was not what was hard."
"The fact of it is what was hard," she added. "The actual breaking up of a family is what was hard. Losing a true partnership and friendship is what was hard."
Jennifer Garner Says She & Ben Affleck Can Co-Parent In 'Peace'
Despite the "hard" times they went through and the backlash they experienced from the public eye, the Once Upon a Farm founder reassured the public that she and her ex-husband maintain a good and communicative relationship, especially because they are still actively co-parenting their children.
When reflecting on her co-parenting situation, no matter what either ex has gone through, Jennifer said they are able to do it with "peace and equanimity." Additionally, she chimed in on how the press addresses her relationship with her ex, noting that any comments or rumors people in the media make roll off her back these days for the sake of her family.
"It doesn't serve me to take in gossip about myself or anyone else, much less my kids, so I don't do it," she added. "So much about my life surprises me. That I'm still working, that I'm still alive, that my kids are healthy, that my work relationships—which are more like familial friendships—are still the same as they were 25 or 30 years ago, but richer and deeper and stronger. It's all a gift."