Jennifer Garner shares marriage advice as cosy snaps with ex Ben Affleck raise eyebrows

Actress Jennifer Garner was married to actor Scott Foley from 2000 to 2004 and Ben Affleck from 2005 to 2018 - and she's now shared her biggest piece of advice for women when it comes to settling down

Actor Jennifer Garner has advised against marrying a man "thinking you can change him," sharing the quote prior to being spotted alongside her ex-husband Ben Affleck this week.

The 52-year-old, who was previously married to Scott Foley from 2000 to 2004 and then to Ben, now 52, from 2005 to 2018, shared her thoughts on the biggest mistake people make when settling down, as reported by Bang Showbiz. Speaking on the Lipstick on the Rim podcast, she was asked to share her "favourite quote or mantra," saying in the discussion: "Never expect a man ... don't marry a man thinking you can change him."

Jennifer credited her mother Patricia Garner for such advise. She also shared more "vintage Pat Garner" sayings on the podcast, noting that "they all come from Mrs Ingalls from 'Little House on the Prairie' or 'Anne of Green Gables' or the Bible, or all of the above". Two other pieces of advice from her mum that Jennifer appreciates are "weeping may last through the night, but joy comes in the morning" and "happiness is your own responsibility".

Jennifer, who has reportedly been in an on-off relationship with businessman John Miller since 2018, did not discuss her previous marriages during the podcast. She has previously attributed her split with Scott to Hollywood, suggesting they "would probably still be together" if not for their "fast-lane life".

In a 2016 interview with Vanity Fair, Jennifer described her ex-husband Ben as a "complicated guy". She shared: "I always say, 'when his sun shines on you, you feel it.' But when the sun is shining elsewhere, it's cold. He can cast quite a shadow." Bang Showbiz reports that she didn't comment on her relationship with Ben during the podcast, but concurred with co-hosts Molly Sims and Emese Gormley's compliments on their "resilient" and "amazing" children Violet, 18, Seraphina, 15, and Samuel, 12.

Jennifer was spotted with ex-husband Ben whilst volunteering with Midnight Mission in Los Angeles on Thursday, as reported by the New York Post. The outlet teased that Ben was seen "cosying up" to her at the Thanksgiving event. The former couple wore matching aprons whilst supporting the organisation, which is focused on supporting people who are experiencing homelessness. Jennifer and Ben's three children joined them for the occasion this week.

It marked Ben's first Thanksgiving since it was announced earlier this year that he had split from his wife Jennifer Lopez, 55 (J.Lo). He previously had a relationship with her from 2002 to 2004, before reconciling years later in 2021. Fans have reacted to the news that he reunited with his first wife Jennifer, whom he had a romance with following his first split from J.Lo two decades ago, on X, formerly known as Twitter. One person wrote: "Oh, Affleck." Another said: "I love this actually." A third commented: "What a soap opera."

Someone else wrote: "I can't wrap my head around these celebrities - divorcing, reuniting, marrying, and remarrying. Their lives are so complicated!" Whilst others reminded that the exes are co-parenting. One fan wrote: "Seems like they're keeping things civil for the sake of the kids." A source told People magazine recently that Ben was enjoying his life at the moment and would be spending Thanksgiving with the three children he shares with Jennifer. They said: "He's very happy with life. He enjoys working. He'll spend Thanksgiving with his kids."

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