What Went Wrong Between Ben Affleck & Jennifer Garner?

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Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner were married for 10 years before filing for divorce in 2017. Their relationship was well-publicized and their split took fans by shock.

During a recent interview with the New York Times, Affleck reflected on his marriage with Garner calling his divorce “the biggest regret of my life.”

And even though their relationship is over, the pair have managed to stay friendly and co-parent their three children.

But what happened between the couple? How did their marriage go from picture perfect to nonexistent?

Jennifer Garner/Instagram

Ben and Jenn first met in 2000 on the set of Pearl Harbor. At the time, Garner was married to actor Scott Foley. Two years after they met, they worked together again on Daredevil. Garner was still married to Foley and Affleck was dating Jennifer Lopez.

In 2003, Jennifer and Scott announced their separation.

According to the actor, “Nobody else was involved. Jennifer became a huge celebrity. She became a huge star, and she deserved everything she got. There was no other relationship, there was no infidelity, nothing. People get divorced, you know?”

Ben Affleck/Instagram

A year after, Lopez and Affleck called off their engagement. And a few months later, Ben and Garner were spotted together at the World Series looking very much like a couple.

In April 2005, they announced their engagement and married in a private ceremony that same year.

Their daughter, Violet, was born in December 2005. A year later, their second daughter, Seraphina Rose, was born. And their son Samuel was born in 2012.

During an interview with Playboy, Affleck praised Garner for providing him with stability.

“She is by leaps and bounds the most important person to me in that respect,” he said. “Over the past 10 years she has allowed me to have a stable home life while accomplishing my professional goals.”

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However, in 2015, reports surfaced that Affleck was in a relationship with the family’s nanny. Apparently, the two flew to Las Vegas together.

Although Affleck’s rep denied the rumors, a month later he and Garner announced they were getting a divorce.

Jennifer discussed the news with Vanity Fair, saying, “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. Bad judgment? Yes. It’s not great for your kids for [a nanny] to disappear from their lives.”

Jennifer Garner/Instagram

About a year later, there was speculation the couple called off their divorce.

Around that time, Affleck discussed his alcohol addiction and said he completed treatment.

But, the couple made their break up official and filed for divorce in 2017. It was finalized in 2018.

Since their split, Affleck has admitted his addiction played a role in their marriage troubles.

The actor said he still feels guilt and shame over their divorce.

“Shame is really toxic. There is no positive byproduct of shame. It’s just stewing in a toxic, hideous feeling of low self-worth and self-loathing,” he said.

He continued, “It’s not particularly healthy for me to obsess over the failures — the relapses — and beat myself up."