Ben: ‘My regrets over Jen divorce’
He’s pulled on all our heartstrings in a new interview
‘Shame is really toxic. It’s a hideous feeling’
He’s had a much-publicised battle with alcohol, checking himself into rehab three times – most recently in 2018. And last week, Ben Affleck got seriously candid about the cost of his addictions, telling The New York Times that alcohol had played a fundamental role in ending his marriage to Jennifer Garner, and that their subsequent divorce was “the biggest regret of my life”.
In the brutally honest interview, the actor, who married Jennifer in 2005, said their relationship was already on the rocks in 2015, but he “started drinking more and more when my marriage was falling apart. My drinking, of course, then created more marital problems.” The couple separated that year and officially divorced in 2018, but have remained close. Jennifer, 47, drove Ben to rehab herself two years ago, and they’re often spotted together with their kids – Violet, 14, Seraphina, 11, and Samuel, seven – around Los Angeles. Last year, 47-year-old Ben paid tribute to his “wonderful” ex-wife, saying, “Somebody’s the mother of your kids, they’re going to be the most important, central person in your life.” Ben’s interview last week came as he promoted his new film The Way Back, which bears striking similarities to his real life. In it, he plays a former basketball star whose drinking destroys his marriage and sends him to rehab – so it’s no surprise that his own struggles have been weighing on his mind. Speaking about the film, he said, “I’ve never been very risk-averse – for better or worse, obviously. Regarding The Way Back, the benefits, to me, far outweighed the risks. I found it very therapeutic.” He added, “Shame is really toxic. There is no positive by-product of shame. It’s just stewing in a toxic, hideous feeling of low self-worth and self-loathing.”
Last year, the actor was pictured looking inebriated coming out of a party, days after celebrating one year of sobriety. The following month, he was seen apparently arguing with Jennifer outside her LA home, after celebrating Thanksgiving together as a family. Speaking of the event, Ben confessed, “Relapse is embarrassing, obviously. I wish it didn’t happen. I really wish it wasn’t on the internet for my kids to see. Jen and I did our best to address it and be honest.”
Despite Ben’s regret, there’s not much hope of a romantic reunion in store for the amicable exes. Jen’s reportedly still dating businessman John Miller, while Ben has dated Saturday Night Live producer Lindsay Shookus and Playboy model Shauna Sexton. Still, we can’t help holding out hope for a Bennifer II reunion – and we reckon Ben might just feel the same. ■