Everyone knows about all the drama in Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck’s relationship, but most people probably don’t know about their family. Jennifer and Ben’s messy relationship started when Jennifer was already married and Ben was engaged. The couple seemed to be doing well for a few years while they became parents. Then, after 10 years of being married, they called it quits and announced they’re getting a divorce.
No one’s completely sure why they decided to end their marriage, but there’s a good chance it could be the rumors that Ben dated his kid’s 28-year-old nanny.
Despite the drama in their marriage, the two are committed to taking care of their kids. They have three children together—Violet, 17, Seraphina, 14, and Samuel, 11. Their kids stole fans’ hearts the moment they were born, especially their middle child, Seraphina. Here are 10 facts about Jennifer and Ben’s youngest daughter.
Updated on May 22, 2023: The ex-couple have worked hard to maintain a healthy family dynamic for their children, especially after Ben Affleck returned to his romance with Jennifer Lopez last year. The Affleck-Garner kids receive much love from both of their parents.
Garner even shared a fun tidbit about why her kids don't often want to watch her projects, stating, "My kids don't love to watch me in things. They do to be supportive, but I think it's a little weird to watch your mom kiss someone or cry."
10 Seraphina's Name Has A Biblical Meaning
When their second daughter was born, Jennifer and Ben chose to give her a name with a special meaning. According to The Bump, “Seraphina as a girl's name is of Hebrew origin meaning ‘burning ones.’ In Jewish scriptures, the seraphim are the highest-ranking angels of God (above angels, archangels, cherubim, etc.). They have six wings and are known for their zealous love.”
Jennifer and Ben are both Christians, so it makes sense that they gave their daughter a biblical name.
9 Her Parents Got Divorced When She Was 6 Years Old
After 10 years of marriage, Seraphina’s parents announced they were getting a divorce the day after their anniversary. In a joint interview with E! News, Jennifer and Ben said, “After much thought and careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to divorce. We go forward with love and friendship for one another and a commitment to co-parenting our children whose privacy we ask to be respected during this difficult time.”
Even though Seraphina probably doesn’t remember her parents as a married couple, she still has two loving parents that are there for her.
8 Her Parents Worked On Two Movies Together Before Falling In Love
Jennifer and Ben met in 2000 when they were working on Pearl Harbor. Ben played the main character, Captain Rafe McCawley and Jennifer played Nurse Sandra. Two years later, in the summer of 2002, they worked together again on the set of Daredevil.
According to Insider, Ben “said this set was where he and Garner fell in love,” even though he got engaged to Jennifer Lopez a few months later.
7 Both Of Them Were With Other People When They Fell In Love
A few months after the actors filmed Daredevil, Jennifer separated from her then husband, Scott Foley. It took Ben almost two years to end his engagement to JLo. Scott Foley told Insider, "There was no other relationship, there was no infidelity, nothing. People get divorced, you know?"
Jennifer and Ben’s exes claim they weren’t cheated on, but people could see them giving each other flirtatious looks when they were on the TV show Dinner for Five in 2003. It’s clear they definitely had feelings for each other before they ended things with their exes.
6 Her Parents Got Married In A Very Small Ceremony
Jennifer and Ben had a very, very small ceremony when they tied the knot on June 29, 2005. They only had two other people at their wedding. Jennifer’s Alias co-star and friend, Victor Garber, officiated the wedding, and his husband was the only other person there. They didn’t want a flashy ceremony with a lot of people, so their wedding could be centered around their love for each other.
5 Seraphina Is The Middle Child In The Family
Jennifer was already about three months pregnant when she married Ben and gave birth to their first child, Violet, on December 1, 2005. More than three years later, the actors had their second daughter, Seraphina, on January 6, 2009. When Violet was 6-years-old and Seraphina was 3-years-old, they got a baby brother named Samuel on February 27, 2012.
Seraphina gets along great with her older sister, but she has an even greater connection with her little brother. According to In Touch Weekly, Samuel “looks up to his older sisters and has a unique bond with Seraphina.”
4 Seraphina Affleck Is Quite Mischievous
When it comes to being a parent, there's no easy way to navigate young kids, especially when they enter their teenage years. During a handful of interviews where Jennifer Garner talks about her kids, she's pointed out that Seraphina is quite the mischief.
Not only can she be unpredictable, but Seraphina isn't shy from calling out her parents. According to Garner, her daughter refers to her as a "fun-killer," mainly because Jen puts an end to Seraphina's mischief fast!
3 Her Dad Has Battled Alcoholism
In March 2017, Ben posted on Facebook that he completed treatment for alcohol addiction. He was sober for a couple of years, but in 2019, he slipped and drank at a Halloween party. However, he is trying his best to stay sober again for the sake of his family.
A source told In Touch Weekly, “The kids mean the world to Ben — he wants to be with them — so he doesn’t intend to have another slip. He’s committed to staying sober, and in time he knows Jen will learn to trust him again.”
2 Ben And Jennifer Remain Very Hands-On
Although they’re not together anymore, Jennifer and Ben have become awesome co-parents. Paparazzi are constantly catching them taking their kids places and spending time with them. In Touch Weekly wrote, “Whether they are together at a soccer game, church or just eating some ice cream, the Affleck/Garner clan can always be found with smiles on their faces.”
Despite all the challenges Jennifer and Ben have had, the family of five seems to be in a good place now, and it seems like they have a bright future ahead of them.
1 Ben Is Back With Jennifer Lopez
While Ben has had quite a tumultuous dating history, one that has been previously shielded from his children, they now have another "Jennifer" to call mom. Affleck and Lopez first dated and were later engaged back in 2003, however, the publicity they were receiving was far too much for either to handle.
Although they called it quits, Jennifer and Ben, dubbed as "Bennifer," the couple got back together and tied the knot in 2022.