Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez finally the knot in July 2022. The couple were engaged two decades prior, only to break-up and move on with other people. Ben married actress Jennifer Garner in 2005, and they had three children –Violet (born in 2005) Seraphina (born in 2009), and Samuel (born in 2012). However, the couple finalize their divorce in 2018 after years of rumored marriage troubles.For her part, Jennifer married the long-time friend and collaborator Marc Anthony in 2004. They welcomed a set of twins, Emme and Maximillian, in 2005, but parted ways in 2014.Ben and J.Lo may have found their way back to each other after years apart, but they faced a new challenge when they rekindled their romance in 2021 – making their blended family work. Here’s what we know so far.
Ben Affleck And Jennifer Lopez Say Their Blended Family Is A Dream
Speaking to Vogue in November 2022, Jennifer opened up about her “newly blended family.”
“It’s going really well so far," she explained. "What I hope to cultivate with our family is that his kids have a new ally in me, and my kids have a new ally in him, someone who really loves and cares about them but can have a different perspective and help me see things that I can’t see with my kids because I’m so emotionally tied up.”
Jennifer did address what co-parenting with her ex-husband was like, describing it as "a process that needs to be handled with so much care."
However, she had positive words for the co-parenting relationship between her, Ben, and his ex-wife Jennifer Garner, saying, "[we] work really well together."
J.Lo also described Ben’s ex as an “amazing co-parent.”
Jennifer Garner has reportedly been supportive of Ben and J.Lo. “This relationship has been very stabilizing for him, and that’s a huge weight off Jen’s shoulders because she doesn’t have to worry about Ben anymore,” one source said.
Based on Jennifer’s words, it seems that transitioning to a blended family has been going well for the Lopez-Affleck clan, despite the couple tying the knot so quickly after rekindling their years-old romance.
Ben And J.Lo’s Kids Reportedly Have A Special Bond
It’s not only J.Lo who has good things to say about the newly blended family. Sources say that her kids have warmed up to their new step-dad.
“She understands that no one will ever be able to replace their father, but she sees how Ben has welcomed her children in as if they were his own and this is one of the things that she loves most about Ben,” a source told Hollywood Life.
“Ben has developed a special bond with Max and Max has warmed up to him so much,” the insider continued. “It is important for J.Lo that Max has a male figure in his life all the time because it makes him feel safe.”
Moreover, her twins have reportedly formed a good relationship with Ben’s three kids. “The bond is very strong and genuine,” the source added. “It helps that his kids have been just as welcoming to Max and Emme because they’ve all become fast friends.”
In fact, the whole family gets along so well that Ben and Jennifer took their kids on their honeymoon following their July nuptials.
“Ben and Jennifer both adore having their kids around,” the insider explained. “It might be unconventional to bring them on the honeymoon, but it makes total sense for them.”
Moreover, the source added, “They’re both so busy, that whenever they get downtime, they really want their kids with them. And this marriage is about more than just them, they’ve joined their families so why not celebrate it as one big happy family.”
Ben Affleck And Jennifer Lopez's Kids Have Gotten Into Trouble
Ben and Jennifer’s children may be adjusting well to their new family dynamic, but it hasn’t been without drama. In June, photos showed Samuel, 10, apparently crashing a Lamborghini.
The couple were apparently looking at rental vehicles with his son in two, when Samuel got behind the wheel of the car while the engine was running. He then allegedly put the car in reverse, causing him to hit a BMW parked behind.
Though photographs appeared to show a crash (including the boy getting in and out of the vehicle), a representative for Ben said no damage was done to the Lamborghini or the BMW. Moreover, a representative for the rental agency denies an accident even took place; the staffer said the cars were just parked very close, making it seem like they’d collided.
For the most part, Ben and Jennifer’s children keep a low profile. None of them have active social media profiles. One of J.Lo’s twins, Emme, has performed alongside her, expressing interest in a musical career in the future. Nevertheless, their kids rarely make public appearances.