Ben Affleck’s Bittersweet Birthday: The Sad Reason Behind It

Ben Affleck celebrated his 52nd birthday on August 15, marked with tinges of sentimentality.

Ben, who shares three children—Violet, 18, Fin, 15, and Samuel, 12—with ex-wife Jennifer Garner, found this birthday particularly bittersweet. It coincides with Violet’s imminent departure from home as she prepares for her freshman year of college.

Violet, fresh from her high school graduation, is set to begin her studies at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. Her choice of school was publicly revealed by her high school, which posted a photo of her in a Yale pullover on Instagram. The picture showed her next to classmates, each sporting sweaters from their respective future colleges.

Jennifer Garner seemed to confirm the news with a simple yet heartfelt comment of three heart emojis.

Prior to Violet’s 18th birthday, Jennifer opened up on an episode of “Live with Kelly and Mark” about her mixed feelings as her daughter reached this significant milestone. When the hosts congratulated her, Jennifer expressed a blend of disbelief and pride, stating, “I’m about to have an adult. I’m three days from my eldest turning 18. Can you believe that?”

When Kelly asked if she was helping Violet tour colleges, Jennifer confirmed, “Yes, she’s in the middle of all of that. It is exciting. I can see the stress, but stress and excitement go hand in hand.” Jennifer praised Violet for handling her future plans with composure, describing her as a “self-starter” who manages her tasks independently.

Jennifer also shared her emotional journey through Violet’s graduation day, posting several teary-eyed photos online with the caption, “Tell me you have a graduate without telling me you have a graduate. (Bless our hearts).”

While Ben’s birthday celebration is expected to feature his children, it’s uncertain if his wife, Jennifer Lopez, will join them. The couple, who famously reunited after two decades, have faced rumors of marital strife. Despite these reports, neither has publicly commented on the state of their relationship.

According to Page Six, their romance has been shaky since March. Despite these challenges, Ben reportedly hesitates to file for divorce, wanting to avert further public scrutiny for Jennifer. Their second wedding anniversary in July passed quietly as Jennifer was seen dining with friends, while Ben was busy working in Los Angeles. This silence only fanned the flames of speculation around their relationship.

Adding to the conjecture, the couple recently listed their extravagant $68 million Beverly Hills mansion for sale. Ben also bought a $20.5 million estate in Pacific Palisades. Jennifer was spotted earlier this month touring a $22 million home in Beverly Hills without her wedding ring.

As Ben celebrates his 52nd birthday, the family faces significant transitions, including Violet’s departure and ongoing speculations about his marriage. Only time will tell how these evolving dynamics play out for the Affleck family.