Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck were married for 13 years, from June 2005 until their divorce in October 2018. During that time, they welcomed three children: daughters Violet and Seraphina, and son Samuel.
Even after their split, Garner and her ex-husband, Affleck, have kept things respectful for the sake of their kids. Co-parenting hasn’t always been easy, but Jennifer has remained focused on consistency. “You just have to do it,” she told Us Weekly. “It’s not pretty… but I try my best to be consistent and for them to know what they can expect from me.”
As her children grow older, Garner has stayed deeply engaged in their lives. In a 2024 interview with PEOPLE, she said, “They’re really solid right now,” adding, “I’m just watching them in this new phase… and I’m so interested in everything about them.” Still, she admitted it’s tough to let go. “I really have to sit on my hands,” she said, when resisting the urge to steer their decisions.
The Alias actress has always wanted her children to grow up grounded. “It’s really important for my kids to see that everyone doesn’t have the lives they see in Los Angeles,” she told Southern Living, explaining that she wants them to grow up with the same Southern values she had.
Now, let’s take a closer look at Violet, Seraphina, and Samuel—the three kids Garner shares with her ex-husband, Ben Affleck.
Their Older Daughter, Violet Anne Affleck, 19
Garner and Affleck welcomed their first child, a daughter, Violet Anne Affleck, on December 1, 2005. A rep for the couple told PEOPLE at the time that “mother, father, and baby are doing great.” Violet shares her middle name, Anne, with her mom.
Now 19, Violet is currently a student at Yale University. On May 18, she published a research paper in the school’s Global Health Review, comparing the response to the COVID-19 pandemic with the aftermath of the Los Angeles wildfires that tore through Pacific Palisades in January.
“She’s a self-starter,” Garner said during a November 2023 appearance on Live with Kelly and Mark. “I’m proud of her no matter what.” Affleck also praised his kids for having their own opinions, even if it means critiquing his own work. He joked about bringing them to see The Accountant 2, and how honest they were afterward.
Violet was no stranger to public attention from an early age. As a kindergartener, she once stood on a chair in a velvet dress and addressed a crowd, speaking out about the fear and chaos caused by paparazzi. “We didn’t ask for this,” she said. “The men are scary… they knock each other over and it’s hard to feel like a kid when you’re being chased.”
Even now, approaching adulthood, Violet—along with her younger siblings—remains off social media. In 2016, Garner told Today that Violet’s school banned social media until sixth grade. “But I know it’s coming soon,” she added at the time.
Years later, in an April 2023 interview with Entertainment Tonight, Garner stood by her decision. “I just said to my kids, ‘Show me the articles that prove social media is good for teenagers, and then we’ll have the conversation.’” She said Violet, now older, “is grateful” for those strict rules.
Another Girl, Seraphina Rose Elizabeth Affleck, 16
Jennifer and Ben welcomed their second child, Seraphina Rose Elizabeth Affleck, on January 6, 2009.
On April 6, 2024, during the memorial service for Jennifer’s father, William Garner, Seraphina publicly introduced themselves as Fin and shared their pronouns as they/them. It was the first time they spoke in public using their new name. The service took place at Christ Church United Methodist in Charleston, West Virginia.
Fin stood alongside their older sister Violet, younger brother Samuel, and several cousins. Together, they took turns reading from the Book of Proverbs, honoring their grandfather’s life with deep respect.
Garner and Affleck have both remained active in their children’s lives. In 2018, they reunited to celebrate Seraphina’s 9th birthday. “It was a small celebration,” a source told PEOPLE. “Ben was there too. Seraphina had friends over for cake and got a lot of gifts.”
Their Son, Samuel Affleck, 13
Samuel Garner Affleck, Jennifer and Ben’s youngest child, was born on February 27, 2012. “We are happy to announce on February 27, Jennifer gave birth to a healthy baby boy, Samuel Garner Affleck,” Affleck wrote in a Facebook post at the time.
As he’s grown up, Samuel has taken an interest in sports—especially baseball, which he likely picked up from his dad, a longtime Boston Red Sox fan. In 2019, Affleck told Ellen DeGeneres that he was coaching Samuel’s Little League team.
Basketball has also become one of Samuel’s hobbies, and Affleck is often spotted in the stands—sometimes cheering, sometimes yelling at the refs. In December 2022, the father-son duo attended a Boston Celtics game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, sitting courtside together.
