California Actress Jennifer Garner Admits She ‘Panicked’ After Divorce From Ben Affleck: ‘That’s On You’
Actress Jennifer Garner admits her divorce from her former California husband, actor Ben Affleck, sent her into a state of panic after she realized just how much things were about to change for her. Jen admits that when she married Ben, she was not working as much as she is now. She was content with the traditional role of wife and mother and enjoyed staying home with the couple’s three children, Violet, Fin, and Samuel.
During Jennifer’s recent guest spot on the “Aspire With Emma Grede” podcast, she admitted that during her marriage to Ben, she never really gave money a lot of thought. However, once the couple’s ten-year marriage ended, she realized that her relationship status would not be the only thing changing in her life.
Jennifer Garner Navigates Life As A Single Mom
Garner says that once the divorce was final, she quickly learned that her life was now very different. Not only had she ended her marriage, but she also had a whole new set of responsibilities, and it was pretty scary for her, according to Fox News.
“I panicked when I was first out of my marriage and realized I had taken such a step back in my work,” said Garner. “Suddenly I realized I don’t know how long I’ll be able to work. This isn’t a career that’s like, ‘Hey, you’re 60, you’re 55, you’re 43, come on, let’s pay you more than you’ve ever made.’ You know what I mean? That’s not been traditionally the role. I was suddenly like, ‘Wait a minute, I have to take care of myself, I have to take care of these kids. So what is it going to be?'”
During her marriage to Ben, Garner had largely focused on motherhood and raising their three children. Once Ben was gone, she realized her responsibilities not only to herself but to her children were increasing. She knew that she couldn’t just pick up and travel for months at a time to film a movie. She had to be home to look after her children.
“It’s not like you can just unfamous yourself. Life is expensive, and you still have to figure out how you’re going to live,” she added. “Just because you’re well known by people does not mean that there is some great living being provided for you, and it became very serious to me, very quickly, as someone who has never given a lot of thought to money, like, ‘Oh, I need to be an earner here.'”
Moving Forward Through Motherhood and Success
Garner reveals that after the divorce, for the next couple of years she focused on finding the perfect work and family balance. The divorce, she admits, created an “upheaval” that consumed her and their three children. However, Jen says she found the strength and determination to push forward.
Two years following the couple’s split, Garner co-founded the organic children’s food company, Once Upon A Farm. The company gave her the chance to balance her work and professional life, as she and the children adjusted to their new normal. Once Upon A Farm is an organic childhood nutrition company that makes farm-fresh, cold-pressed baby food pouches, smoothies, snacks, and frozen meals.
It became one of Jennifer’s passions. It provided her with everything she needed at that time in her life, as she was rebuilding her life. “You have to raise yourself at the same time. And just be so radically kind to yourself about how imperfect it is,” she said of trying to navigate life as a working mom of three.
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner Make The Perfect Co-Parenting Team
Despite the end of their marriage, Garner and Affleck have maintained a cooperative co-parenting relationship focused on their three children. They developed what many believe to be the perfect co-parenting relationship and have stayed the best of friends through every turn. Ben would never turn his back on his children or Jennifer. However, she is thankful for the time she had to learn and grow on her own.
Now that she has made it through those trying years, and their children are mostly grown, Jennifer Garner has more time to work on her career. “There’s no such thing as doing it right. And when the big moments happen, you are okay, and that’s on you.”
Now that Ben and Jen’s children are mostly grown, Garner has more time to focus on her career and entrepreneurial projects. Not only does she keep a busy film schedule these days, but she has also successfully helped build Once Upon a Farm, which has grown into a major nationwide brand valued at over $720 million.
As for her family, Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck remain committed to being the closest of friends and co-parents and are often seen publicly supporting their children.
Joann covers high-profile industry features, investigative entertainment stories, and long-form trending media profiles. She has 15 years of experience in the online news vertical.
