EXCLUSIVEJennifer Garner Is 'Picking Up The Pieces' After Ben Affleck's Heartbreaking Split From Ana de Armas
Jan. 19 2021, Updated 6:08 p.m. ET
After less than a year together, Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas have decided to go their separate ways, pushing the actor back into the arms of ex-wife Jennifer Garner, OK! has learned.
“Ana dumped Ben. Ben fell hard and fast and was sure Ana was the one. He even repeated a move he made when dating Jennifer Lopez — appearing in a music video with Ana, which was part of the problem. Ben loves being famous. Growing up, all he ever wanted to be was a celebrity. Ana is more private and sees herself as an actress — not a Kardashian who reveals everything about her private life. Ben is heartbroken, and once again, Jennifer Garner is picking up the pieces,” a source exclusively tells OK!.
Insiders add there is nothing romantic going on between Affleck and Garner, as that ship has sailed long ago. However, she does feel responsible for him, like he is another child that needs her care.
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“Jen doesn’t want to get back with Ben, but she does love him. He doesn’t have many friends and she feels like it is her role to help. Jen liked Ana and hoped Ben had finally found someone who could deal with him. He isn’t easy,” adds a pal. “Jen supports his sobriety and will do anything to help Ben stay on track."
Jen and Ben share three children together — Violet, 14, Seraphina, 11, and Samuel, 8 — all of whom met Ana.
Prior to the split, Affleck's kiddos "adored" de Armas and "treat[ed] her like she's part of the Affleck crew," a source previously told OK!.
Ultimately, the Knives Out star and the handsome hunk couldn't make things work due to their "complicated" relationship, OK! previously reported.
"Ana doesn't want to be Los Angeles based and Ben obviously has to since his kids live in Los Angeles," an insider said.
- Ben Affleck 'Pretty Lost Without' Ex Ana De Armas, He's 'Taking The Split Hard': Source
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"This is something that was mutual and something that is completely amicable," another source said. "They are at different points in their lives and there is deep love and respect there and Ben continues to want to work on himself. He has three jobs lined up and he’s a solid father at home. They are both happy with where they are in their lives."
As for what went wrong, the actress, 32, was looking to expand her brood, whereas Affleck was not. "He would not commit to having more kids," an insider revealed. "She is in her 30s. It was a deal-breaker."
On top of that, the Argo star, 48, “is not in a place to start a new family,” another source said. “Both he and Ana have three jobs lined up. His family has, and will continue, to be his focus.”
This is hardly the first time Garner, 48, has helped out her ex before. After the Hollywood star relapsed in 2019, the Alias alum was by Affleck's side — something he is very grateful for.
"I'm lucky they've got a great mom and she helps out a great deal with making sure that we co-parent in as good a way as possible," he previously said about Garner.
