Jen’s time to shine
Happiness after the hurt
As the news exploded in 2015 that indeed her marriage to Ben Affleck was well and truly over, it seemed to Jennifer Garner that her life would never be simple again.
As a working mother-ofthree – albeit one who earns $10 million per movie – life was often a circus. But now the in-demand celebrity was suddenly juggling even more. An estranged husband who needed treatment in rehab, young children who needed constant reassurance and, of course, her own deep-set heartbreak.
How times change. Three years on, Jennifer, 46, is the first to admit it hasn’t been easy. But finally, thanks to a professional rebirth, she has recently wrapped filming on the first season of HBO comedy
Camping, and has become an entrepreneur with her new fresh baby food line, Once Upon a Farm. Along with time and perspective, the actress is a new woman.
“Jen has always had a glass-half-full attitude, even during the roughest of times,” says a source close to the star. But her joy is more noticeable of late. “She’s very happy and in a good place.”
Part of the reason for her buoyancy is that Jennifer’s living the single life for the first time in nearly 20 years and couldn’t be more content.
Married to Scandal star Scott Foley, 46, from 2000 to 2004, she started dating Daredevil co-star Ben, 45, later that year, marrying him in June 2005.
Even after filing for divorce, she was closely entwined in Ben’s wellbeing, helping him enter rehab for alcohol abuse. But now, the mother of Violet, 12, Seraphina, nine, and six-year-old Samuel feels more independent than ever.
Reveals the insider, “You rarely see her without a smile on her face.”
Always a hands-on mum, Jen is more doting than ever. “Her free time is really mum time,” the insider adds. “She’s always taking the kids to different places and looking for fun things to do with them.”
Balancingact
That also goes for the days Ben has the kids. For instance, “If Sam has a game, they’ll both go to it even if it’s Ben’s time with him. There’s always a school function or birthday party or something.”
At home in Brentwood,
California, she enjoys a simple routine of cooking, baking and gardening, with a few intense hobbies thrown in for good measure. “She has a gym and she makes sure it gets used every day.”
When it comes time to socialise, the Save the Children n ambassador keeps her circle tight. “She has actress friends like Reese Witherspoon and Molly Sims, but they aren’t her er everyday friends,” explains the source. That honour goes to Nicole Solaka, who’s also Jen’s s manager, and increasingly, Simone De La Rue, her personal trainer. She also spends a lot of time with her assistant and nanny.
Though she’s finally untangled herself from Ben romantically, Jennifer still sees him frequently. “She’s figured out the co-parenting thing with Ben,” says the source. So much so that she gave him an Instagram g shout-out on Father’s Day – “Our kids are lucky to have a dad who looks at them the way you look at them and loves them the way you love them,” she wrote – and they went as a family to see Hello,Dolly! on Broadway in July.
Just because things seem serene on the surface, however, “It doesn’t mean there aren’t struggles behind the scenes,” admits the source. “They still have their frustrations. It’s a work in progress.”
For example, their divorce still isn’t finalised and it’s not assets delaying it. “The one thing she’s not flexible on is sobriety,” the source says of the Batmanvs. Superman actor’s past struggles. “Jen is hesitant to sign off until she’s sure the kids will be in the best hands at all times. Finalising the divorce has been a long process because of it.”
There’s also the matter of Ben’s girlfriend Lindsay
Shookus, 38. Though the pair officially got together after Ben and Jennifer split, a confidant previously confirmed to Woman’s
Day that their relationship started as early as 2014. “Because of that, Jen doesn’t want the kids around Lindsay. She has many reasons, including the rumour that Ben had an affair with her.”
Even so, the exes are keeping the peace. Says the source, “Ben understands and has honoured her request.”
No matter how sticky life has gotten, Jennifer has remained upbeat. And although she’s enjoying herself more than ever at the moment, one consistent character trait has kept her stronger than anything else.
“Jen doesn’t think too much about herself,” shares the source. “It’s all about the kids right now. As long as the kids are healthy and happy, she’s happy.”