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Ben Affleck reveals worries for his children in emotional interview

The actor was married to Jennifer Garner for more than a decade


ben affleck at premiere
Aisha Nozari
Online Writer
On 26 February 2020
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Ben Affleck has opened up in an emotional interview with Diane Sawyer for Good Morning America, revealing that he "doesn't want to let his kids down". The first installment of the two-part interview aired on Thursday, and in it, Ben spoke about everything from fatherhood to alcoholism, saying: "I really don't want my children to pay for my sins or to be afraid for me which is one of the hard parts of being the child of an alcoholic."

The Batman star also discussed the effect his high-profile divorce had on his children, despite not mentioned ex Jennifer Garner by name. Ben explained: "If your child is suffering something that's a level of pain that is just not easily gotten past, not easily forgotten, not easily forgiven. It's hard. You're not going to avoid causing your kids pain - all pain - pain is part of life."

ben affleck and jennifer garner © Photo: Getty Images

Jennifer and Ben were married for more than ten years 

The A-list star continued: "I take some comfort in that I'm doing my very, very best and I hope that that is, you know, has to be good enough. It has to be. I don't really have a choice. I have to be the man I want to be at this point, I don't have any more room for failure of that kind."

MORE: Ben Affleck describes Jennifer Garner divorce as the 'biggest regret of his life'

ben affleck and jennifer garner in park © Photo: Getty Images

The two have remained close 

MORE: Jennifer Garner reveals proud mum moment – and it's so sweet

Ben and Jennifer married in 2005, separated in 2015 and finalised their divorce three years later in 2018. The pair have remained on good terms since their divorce and are often pictured together with their kids. Last Mother's Day, Ben paid tribute to Jennifer, revealing that she was the most "incredible mother" and had shown him the true meaning of love. 

Speaking further about his divorce, the 47-year-old told Diane: "I'd never thought I was going to get divorced. I never wanted to get divorced, I never thought I was going to be a divorced person. I really didn't want to be a split family with my children."

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