Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez have taken the world by storm with their rekindled romance, but the actor-filmmaker initially had reservations about giving their relationship a second chance, primarily out of concern for his children.
During an open and candid interview with Howard Stern, Affleck revealed that his previous marriage to Jennifer Garner, whom he wed in 2005 and with whom he shares three children, simply "didn't work out." However, he emphasized his continued love and respect for Garner.
Affleck went on to express that he felt "trapped" in his marriage to Garner, and this feeling was "part of the reason he turned to drinking." At one point, he even sought help at a rehabilitation center. He recalled feeling conflicted, thinking, "I can't leave because of my kids, but I'm not happy. What do I do?" The solution he initially chose was to drink a bottle of whiskey and fall asleep on the couch, which he soon realized was not the answer to his problems.
The actor and Garner decided to part ways in June 2015, just a day before their 10th wedding anniversary. Six years later, Affleck rekindled his romance with singer and actress Jennifer Lopez, to whom he had been engaged in the early 2000s. However, this decision was not made lightly.
He reflected on the responsibility he felt toward his children, making them his top priority. He did not want to take any actions that would cause them pain or harm, especially in the face of potential media scrutiny. Affleck stressed the unique challenges of being children of famous parents and the burdens they might carry.
Affleck and Lopez officially confirmed their renewed relationship in April 2021, shortly after Lopez's separation from former baseball player Alex Rodriguez, to whom she had become engaged in September 2019. Lopez herself has shared that she has "never been better" and is excited to let the world know that this is the best period of her life. Sources close to the couple describe them as "inseparable" and share that they are eager to give lasting love another chance.
