Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Jasmine Allday

Ben Affleck's downward spiral and how Jennifer Lopez reunion saved his image

Ben Affleck has revamped his image since he got back together with Jennifer Lopez.

The Batman actor, 48, has been open about his alcoholism battle in the past, which led him to a 40 day rehab stint.

He turned to drink when his marriage to Jennifer Garner began to break down, with the duo divorcing in 2018.

Fans had begun to become concerned about the film star when he was seen looking glum and disheveled on nights out.

When he went to rehab he revealed that his family, friends and fans had given him the "strength" to speak about his battle with alcohol and he admitted he was "fighting for himself and his family".

Ben and Jennifer are back together (MEGA)

He wrote: "This week I completed a 40-day stay at a treatment centre for alcohol addiction and remain in outpatient care.

"The support I have received from my family, colleagues and fans means more to me than I can say. It’s given me the strength and support to speak about my illness with others.

Ben looked worse for wear in 2016 (FameFlynet)

"Battling any addiction is a lifelong and difficult struggle. Because of that, one is never really in or out of treatment. It is a full-time commitment. I am fighting for myself and my family."

Ben had previously explained how he drank more as his marriage to Jennifer broke down.

The duo got married in 2005 and share children Violet, 15, Seraphina, 12, and nine-year-old Samuel.

He told The New York Times: "I drank relatively normally for a long time. What happened was that I started drinking more and more when my marriage was falling apart.

Ben has battled with alcoholism in the past (Splash News)

"This was 2015, 2016. My drinking, of course, created more marital problems."

After they split, Ben met Ana de Armas when they filmed Deep Water, and they got together a few months later.

The duo completed a number of attention-grabbing stunts during their romance, including placing a cardboard cut-out of Ana on Ben's front lawn.

When their relationship came to an end earlier this year, Ben was later seen throwing the cardboard cut-out into the bins outside his home, while cameras snapped him in action.

Ben dated Ana de Armas for a year (Instagram)

Just a few months later, he was rumoured to be back with J-Lo.

The couple were together from 2002 to 2004, and earned themselves the nickname Bennifer.

They were even engaged at one point, but called off their wedding just days before the ceremony, blaming the media frenzy surrounding them.

In April, rumours started swirling that they'd reunited after they went on holiday together.

The couple are now said to be stronger than ever.

According to People, a source said: "They want to do everything they can to make this work.

The couple originally dated in the early 2000s (WireImage)

"Even though their split many years ago was devastating for Jennifer, she has never had a bad word to say about Ben."

"She believes that it just wasn't meant to be then and feels like they've been given a second chance," they added.

Bennifer have been enjoying a string of luxury holidays together and haven't been shy about hiding their love as they've been pictured kissing on several occasions.

They finally confirmed their reunion when Jen posted a picture of themselves kissing on her 52nd birthday.

Jennifer admitted she was "super happy" as she spoke to Apple 1 Music as she released her new single Cambia El Paso.

Jennifer and Ben are happier than ever together (Elder Ordonez / SplashNews.com)

"I'm super happy. I know people are always wondering, 'How are you? What's going on? Are you okay?' This is it. I've never been better," she said.

Gone are the days when Ben would be papped looking lost and broken — he now spends his time on superyachts kissing Jen.

And the couple are said to be "fully committed" to one another and want to spend the rest of their lives together.

An insider told Us Weekly : "The past few months have been a real whirlwind.

"They’re well aware some cynics still look at it as a big flashy attention grab and roll their eyes at the speed of it all, but it doesn’t faze them one iota.

"They’re fully committed to taking the next steps and spending the rest of their lives together."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.