Jennifer Garner Steps Out Smiling After Reuniting With Ben Affleck for His 54th Birthday

Jennifer Garner appeared relaxed and in high spirits during a weekend outing in Santa Monica, shortly after reuniting with her former husband Ben Affleck to celebrate his 54th birthday.

The actress was photographed leaving church on Sunday, smiling as she walked through the sunshine in a casual yet polished summer outfit. Her appearance came a day after she and Affleck were seen together with two of their children during a family birthday outing.

Jennifer Garner keeps her look relaxed and elegant

Garner opted for a simple white fitted T-shirt paired with a flowing blue-and-white printed midi skirt. The actress completed the outfit with white sneakers, oversized black sunglasses and a black shoulder bag, while carrying a light cardigan.

She wore her brunette hair loose and kept her makeup understated, giving the outing a relaxed, everyday feel.

The appearance followed Saturday’s family gathering for Affleck’s birthday, when the former couple were seen heading out for lunch with their children Fin, 17, and Samuel, 14.

Garner and Affleck also share their eldest daughter, Violet, 20.

Garner and Affleck continue to co-parent

Garner and Affleck were married in 2005 and separated in 2015. Although their marriage ended, the former couple have continued to maintain a relationship centred around their three children.

Over the years, they have been photographed together at family occasions, reflecting their ongoing commitment to co-parenting.

Their latest reunion comes during an emotional period for Garner following the death of her mother, Patricia Garner, earlier this year.

Jennifer Garner recalls the pressures of raising children in Hollywood

Garner has recently spoken candidly about the challenges of raising children while living under constant media scrutiny.

During an appearance on Evan Ross Katz’s Shut Up Evan podcast, the actress recalled the extreme attention photographers directed toward her family when her children were younger.

She described situations in which photographers followed her car and gathered around places where her children were taking part in ordinary activities.

Garner said the situation became so disruptive that her family was eventually asked to stop attending a child’s soccer practices because of the number of photographers and vehicles surrounding the venue.

She also recalled an incident involving a sick child in which photographers reportedly obstructed access to a paediatrician’s office.

For Garner, the issue went beyond celebrity privacy because her children were also affected.

While acknowledging the privileges that came with her career, she said the level of attention sometimes created genuine safety concerns for those around her family.

Garner continues to expand her work on screen

Alongside her family life, Garner has remained active professionally.

The actress is starring in and executive producing Peacock’s The Five-Star Weekend, an adaptation of Elin Hilderbrand’s 2023 bestselling novel.

The series follows a food influencer who brings together four friends from different stages of her life for a weekend in Nantucket. Garner stars alongside Regina Hall, Chloë Sevigny, D’Arcy Carden and Gemma Chan.

The female-led drama explores friendship, grief and experiences associated with middle age, including conversations around perimenopause and menopause.

Garner has said she hopes audiences can enjoy the series while also connecting with its portrayal of women navigating different stages of life.

For now, her latest public appearance offered a quieter glimpse of the actress away from the screen — following a family celebration and continuing to balance Hollywood, motherhood and life in the public eye.