Jennifer Garner and her long-time partner, John Miller, have not been seen together for almost four months, and an insider has revealed to Life & Style that Ben Affleck’s actions may be the reason for the strain on their relationship.
According to the source, 52-year-old Jennifer and 46-year-old John are currently “on a break.” The source suggests that their relationship issues began coinciding with the time Ben, Jennifer’s ex-husband, started relying on her for support due to the difficulties in his marriage to Jennifer Lopez, which has since ended.
“Jen has had so much going on with Ben, it just took a toll,” the insider explains, adding that the separation was not Jennifer’s choice. Jennifer Lopez filed for divorce from Ben on August 20, citing their separation date as April 26. While Lopez spent the summer on the East Coast, Ben stayed in Los Angeles, where he has been seen with Jennifer Garner, with whom he shares three children.
Jennifer has previously supported Ben during challenging times, including his rehabilitation for alcoholism in 2018, just months after she started dating John. Their closeness had grown to the point where Jennifer had access to Ben’s rental home during his separation from Lopez.
After moving out of his Los Angeles mansion with Lopez in May, Ben started renting a new home for $100,000 a month in Brentwood and later purchased a $30 million property.
“Ben has been turning to Jen for advice and support, and that has been a significant point of contention for John,” the source reveals. Even though John has historically maintained a friendly relationship with Ben, he is growing weary of having to compete for Jennifer’s attention.
“Ben has been increasingly reliant on Jen, particularly after his split from Lopez, which has put a strain on her relationship with John,” notes the insider.
The couple shares children Violet, 18, Fin, 15, and Samuel, 12, and have focused on helping them cope with Ben’s breakup, which includes addressing the added complexity of Jennifer Lopez’s children from a previous marriage.
While some believe Jennifer should set stricter boundaries with Ben, the source suggests this is difficult for her. “Jennifer prioritizes her children’s needs, which complicates her ability to distance herself from Ben,” they add.
Despite speculation about lingering feelings for Ben, the insider maintains that Jennifer’s primary concern is her children. Even if it means sacrificing her own happiness, the source states that Jennifer is committed to doing what is best for her family and takes full responsibility for her situation.
Jennifer and John have previously reconciled in 2021 after a split in 2020, with friends hoping they can mend their relationship again, despite past engagement rumors.