The Definitive Timeline: 7 Key Moments That Sparked Ben Affleck And Jennifer Garner's Romance

The question of "when did Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner get together" is more complex than a single date, involving a slow-burn romance that started on a movie set while both were with other partners. Their relationship, which spanned over a decade and resulted in three children, is a quintessential Hollywood story of co-stars who found love, faced intense media scrutiny, and ultimately redefined modern co-parenting. As of today, December 18, 2025, their legacy remains one of the most amicable splits in Tinseltown, rooted in a bond that began long before they walked down the aisle.

The timeline of Ben and Jen’s courtship and marriage is a fascinating journey that began with a brief encounter and ignited years later under the guise of superhero spandex. It’s a story of a friendship deepening into true love, challenging the narrative of Ben's highly publicized relationship with Jennifer Lopez (often dubbed "Bennifer 1.0") and establishing a new, more private path for the two actors.

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner: Complete Biographical Profile & Relationship Milestones

• Ben Affleck (Benjamin Géza Affleck-Boldt)
  • Born: August 15, 1972 (Berkeley, California)
  • Occupation: Actor, Director, Producer, Screenwriter
  • Notable Works: Good Will Hunting, Argo, Gone Girl, The Town
• Jennifer Garner (Jennifer Anne Garner)
  • Born: April 17, 1972 (Houston, Texas)
  • Occupation: Actress, Producer
  • Notable Works: Alias, 13 Going on 30, Daredevil
• Relationship Milestones:
  • First Meeting: 2000 (Set of Pearl Harbor)
  • Romance Sparked: 2002/2003 (Set of Daredevil)
  • Officially Dating: Mid-2004
  • Marriage Date: June 29, 2005 (Secret ceremony in Turks & Caicos)
  • Separation Announced: June 2015 (Affleck later stated the actual split was in 2013)
  • Divorce Finalized: October 2018
• Children (Shared):
  • Violet Anne Affleck (Born 2005)
  • Seraphina Rose Elizabeth Affleck (Fin Affleck) (Born 2009)
  • Samuel Garner Affleck (Born 2012)

Phase 1: The Incidental First Meeting on 'Pearl Harbor' (2000)

The first time Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner crossed paths was in 2000 on the set of the historical drama Pearl Harbor. At the time, their interaction was minimal. Affleck was a major star, and Garner had a smaller role in the film. The two were not romantically involved; in fact, Garner was married to actor Scott Foley, and Affleck was about to begin his highly publicized engagement with Jennifer Lopez.

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This initial meeting was merely a professional introduction, but it laid the groundwork for a future connection. It's a key piece of the timeline, proving they knew each other for years before any romantic sparks flew.

The media frenzy surrounding Affleck and Lopez, which included the infamous "Bennifer" nickname, dominated the early 2000s. This public relationship was a stark contrast to the quiet, private romance that would later develop between Affleck and Garner.

Phase 2: The 'Daredevil' Set and the Secret Connection (2002-2003)

The true beginning of their romantic bond can be traced to the set of the 2003 superhero film Daredevil. Affleck starred as the blind vigilante Matt Murdock (Daredevil), while Garner played his love interest and formidable assassin, Elektra Natchios.

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While filming in 2002, they began to develop a close relationship. Affleck later admitted that the chemistry was undeniable on the set, even though both were still involved with other people. Garner, in particular, was still married to Scott Foley, and Affleck was engaged to Lopez, making the emotional connection a secret and slow-burning affair.

This period is crucial because it marks the shift from professional acquaintance to deep personal connection. The intensity of their scenes as superhero co-stars seems to have mirrored the growing feelings between them in real life. Garner even gushed about Affleck as her "superhero" co-star at the time.

Phase 3: Officially Dating, Marriage, and the Family Years (2004-2013)

The official start of their dating relationship came in mid-2004, shortly after Affleck and Jennifer Lopez called off their engagement. Garner’s divorce from Scott Foley was finalized in 2004, clearing the way for her to pursue a relationship with Affleck. They were first publicly linked when they were seen together at a Boston Red Sox game in October 2004.

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Their courtship was intentionally low-key, a direct response to the intense paparazzi interest Affleck had experienced with Lopez. They were engaged by April 2005.

The Secret Turks & Caicos Wedding

In a move to maintain their privacy, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner married in a secret ceremony on June 29, 2005, on the private Parrot Cay island in Turks & Caicos. Only a few people were present, including Garner's Alias co-star Victor Garber, who officiated the wedding. This intimate wedding was a clear statement that they intended to keep their life as a Hollywood power couple out of the spotlight.

The couple quickly started a family, welcoming their first daughter, Violet Anne Affleck, in December 2005. They went on to have two more children, Seraphina Rose Elizabeth Affleck (who now goes by Fin) in 2009, and Samuel Garner Affleck in 2012.

The Evolution of a Modern Co-Parenting Relationship

While the couple announced their separation in June 2015—the day after their tenth wedding anniversary—Affleck later revealed that the actual split occurred in 2013. Their divorce was formally finalized in October 2018.

Despite the end of their marriage, the two have consistently prioritized their children, establishing one of the most respected co-parenting relationships in Hollywood. They are frequently seen together at their children’s school and sports events, often alongside Affleck's current wife, Jennifer Lopez (Bennifer 2.0).

Garner and Affleck's ability to navigate post-divorce life with maturity and mutual support for their three children—Violet, Fin, and Samuel—has been widely praised. They have successfully transitioned from being a married couple to a united front of co-parents, focusing on family stability over celebrity drama. This mature approach has become a key part of their shared narrative, showcasing a commitment that transcends their romantic split.