Jennifer Garner has recently spoken out about her divorce from ex-husband Ben Affleck, candidly admitting that he had an affair with their children's babysitter.
In the March issue of Vanity Fair, the 43-year-old actress clarified that Christine Ouzounian, 28, was not the reason for the breakdown of their 10-year marriage. Garner stated, "Let me just tell you something. We had been separated for months before I ever heard about the nanny. She had nothing to do with our decision to divorce. She was not a part of the equation."
The couple officially divorced in June of last year, shortly before their tenth wedding anniversary. Garner acknowledged that the sc-ndal, dubbed "Nannygate," was a challenging situation for their three children, Violet (10), Seraphina (7), and Sam (4). She discussed the difficulties of explaining the meaning of "sc-ndal" to her children.
In the same Vanity Fair interview, Garner mentioned that despite the divorce, she and Affleck maintain a close relationship. She revealed, "He's still the only person who really knows the truth about things. And I'm still the only person that knows some of his truths."
The couple was last seen together in mid-February on vacation in Montana alongside their mutual friend Tom Brady and his wife Gisele Bundchen.
Garner also emphasized her dedication to their relationship, stating that their marriage was genuine and not for show. She said, "It was a real marriage. It wasn't for the cameras. And it was a huge priority for me to stay in it. And that did not work."
Regarding Affleck, Garner expressed empathy and emphasized that people make regrettable decisions fueled by pain and shame. She encouraged others not to harbor hatred toward him, emphasizing that she doesn't hate him. Garner reassured everyone that her eyes were wide open during their marriage and that she is taking care of herself.
Affleck and Garner announced their plans to divorce in June 2015, triggering intense media attention surrounding their relationship. Garner recalled, "I turned on CNN one day and there we were. I just won't do it anymore. I took a silent oath to myself last summer to really stay offline. I am totally clueless about all of it."
She admitted that disengaging from the constant media cycle requires tremendous discipline and clarified that her disconnection doesn't stem from indifference. Garner shared, "Ben says, 'Oh, you just don't care,' and I say, 'No, it's the opposite.' It hurts me so much, and I care so much."
She emphasized the importance of not being driven by public perception and choosing not to let anger or hurt guide her actions. Garner emphasized keeping the big picture in mind and prioritizing the well-being of their children.
While Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck's marriage may have come to a sad ending, their impact on Hollywood and their dedication to their family will be remembered. They were together for over a decade, raised three children, and achieved success in their respective acting careers. Despite their divorce, they have maintained a friendly co-parenting relationship for the sake of their children and continue to make their own contributions to the entertainment industry.
