Remembering the era of Ben and Jen: Garner & Affleck's heartfelt split after a decade

2015 was a poignant year for Hollywood's favorite couple, Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck. Fans were taken aback when the news of their split became public. Their romance, which spanned over a decade, was emblematic of a Hollywood love story, filled with its fair share of ups and downs.

From "Pearl Harbor" to real-life romance

The duo first crossed paths on the sets of "Pearl Harbor" in 2001. However, it wasn't until their collaboration on "Daredevil" in 2003 that sparks flew and a budding relationship commenced. Their love story, filled with affection and admiration, was often the subject of magazine features and interviews.

In a candid conversation with InStyle in 2014, Garner had discussed the evolution of their relationship, stating, "You can’t expect to be courted all the time, and I don’t want to court him right now – I don’t have the energy! But we’re definitely in a very mindful place where we’re making an effort to be together, do things at the same time, and be loving.” This poignant statement hinted at the real-life struggles that even the most celebrated couples face, outside of the limelight.

Also Read: Jennifer Garner skips Ben Affleck's wedding to J-Lo: A nostalgic glance into that eventful weekend 

A partnership beyond the silver screen

Affleck had often expressed gratitude towards Garner for grounding him, especially after his tumultuous split with Jennifer Lopez. In a 2013 interview with Playboy, he reminisced about the stability Garner brought into his life, saying, "Getting to know her, falling in love with her and being connected with her gave me a foundation to reach out and say, ‘Okay, I’m going to do Hollywoodland. I’m going to direct Gone Baby Gone.’ Those were the steps forward I needed to put positive stuff on the board.”

Their unwavering support for each other was palpable. Garner had also voiced her admiration for Affleck, emphasizing in 2013, "We both know we couldn’t do what we do without each other. He has been amazing at finding ways of telling me how much he appreciates what I do. Honestly, I would do anything for that man, because I know it’s not to be taken for granted."

A heartwrenching goodbyeBut as life would have it, even the most enviable partnerships face challenges. In a joint statement released to PEOPLE, they said, “After much thought and careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to divorce.” They emphasized their commitment to co-parenting their children and maintaining a bond of friendship.

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Their relationship may have transitioned, but their legacy as one of Hollywood's most iconic couples endures. Their story serves as a testament to love, commitment, and the challenges of navigating relationships in the public eye.

(Several parts of the text in this article, including the title, were generated with the help of an AI tool.)