Jennifer Garner has been nothing if not overly supportive of her ex-husband, Ben Affleck.
Hollywood’s all-American girl has been by Affleck’s side for years, despite their 2017 split after 12 years of marriage.
She staged an intervention and got him to go to rehab in August 2018 for alcohol addiction, and even drove him to the clinic.
Garner was nowhere to be seen when Affleck, 50, walked down the aisle for his lavish wedding ceremony with Jennifer Lopez, 53, last Saturday — but that doesn’t mean she wasn’t happy about it.
“I’m sure she’s thrilled to get rid of her fourth child,” said a source who knows both Affleck and Garner, referencing all the actress has done for her ex.
The former couple’s children — Violet, 16, Seraphina, 13, and Samuel, 10 — were all present to witness their dad say “I do,” following his and Lopez’s quickie Vegas chapel ceremony last month.
Insiders told Page Six that it’s not clear whether Garner was even invited.
The 50-year-old actress was all smiles as she was pictured at a Sam’s Club in South Charleston, W.Va., on Saturday hours before J.Lo and Affleck wed for a second time.
She appeared to be joined by her father, William, along with her businessman boyfriend John Miller, for the outing and was spotted posing for a photo with a fan.
And another Hollywood insider this week told Page Six that although Affleck is now off Garner’s hands, the exes will always be entwined.
“Jen has always approached things the same, no matter who Ben has been with,” said one insider. “They have kids together — so if he has another episode, or falls off the wagon, it would be her problem.”
But the source who knows both Garner and Affleck reiterated: “Jen is a great mother, she has really mothered those kids — and it’s great that she doesn’t have to have a fourth child anymore.
The “13 Going on 30” star grew up in Charleston and married Affleck in 2005, a year after divorcing actor Scott Foley.
As the source who knows Garner and Affleck noted, “Jen grew up with her parents happily married and her sisters are married, so I know that she wanted it to work out. But she’s moved on.”
Page Six revealed how friends of Garner were furious when Affleck told Howard Stern in December that he would probably still be drinking had he remained married to her. At the time, one friend said: “Anyone who knows addict behavior knows how untrue those comments could be for any addict, but particularly Ben. It’s one of the first tenets of AA not to place blame for your disease.”
“I know that Jen will always care for Ben. All she’s ever done is be there for Ben. They have three kids together and she loved him with all her heart,” said the source who knows the former couple. “I’m sure she would want him to be happy, but she has her own life and her own boyfriend.”
Garner has just finished filming her new Apple+ series “The Last Time I Saw Him,” in Austin, Texas. It’s based on the hit novel by Laura Dave and produced by Reese Witherspoon’s company.
She’s also the co-founder and chief brand officer of Once Upon a Farm, a leader in fresh snacks for kids. Back in March, Forbes reported that it is the first brand to receive the 1,000 Day Promise Certification from the Clean Label Project for its new Advanced Nutrition Blends.
The Hollywood insider said: “Jen is working, she’s happy, she’s still with John and she’s doing great. Honestly, Jen is just as advertised.”
She also seems to be fine with her ex’s rekindled romance with Lopez, 20 years after those two were first supposed to get married — but called it off, allegedly because of the pressure of being in the public eye.
Garner was in Lake Tahoe when Affleck and Lopez got married in Vegas last month, and a well-placed Hollywood source told Page Six then: “Ben did tell Jen about the wedding, but I’m told that it was only [the day before] at the earliest. It was very, very minimally planned in advance and was largely spur-of-the-moment. [Affleck and Garner’s oldest daughter] Violet stayed home because she’s extremely loyal to her mom.”
Friends of Lopez — who was often seen working out with Alex Rodriguez when they dated — previously told Page Six that she is good for Affleck.
The singer’s recent Netflix documentary, “Halftime,” gave a fascinating glimpse into her world, including her daily training sessions.
This week, it was also announced that Lopez is teaming up with “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” star Simu Liu for Netflix’s sci-fi thriller “Atlas.”
Affleck, meanwhile, has been directing his new movie about Nike, co-starring his longtime buddy Matt Damon.
In July, Jason Momoa also revealed that Affleck is ready to don the Batsuit yet again for the Warner Bros/DC sequel “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.”
For now, newlyweds Affleck and Lopez have been spotted smooching around Italy on honeymoon.
As the source who knows both Affleck and Garner said: “[Lopez] will be good for Ben, she’s always been obsessed with him. And I can tell you that she will do her best to make sure he stays sober and well. Both Jen and Jennifer are very strong girls.”
