Jennifer Garner Shares Marriage Wisdom: ‘Don’t Marry a Man Thinking You Can Change Him’

Jennifer Garner, a two-time divorcée, offered insightful marriage advice while appearing on the Lipstick on the Rim podcast. When asked about her “favourite quote or mantra,” the actress shared wisdom from her mother, Patricia Garner: “Never expect a man — don’t marry a man thinking you can change him.”

“Never expect a man — don’t marry a man thinking you can change him,” Jennifer said. Getty Images for Christian Dior

Garner, 52, joked that she still needed to “work on that one,” though it was unclear if she was referring to her past relationships or a slip of the tongue. As the conversation continued, Jennifer shared more of her mother’s “vintage sayings,” noting classic characters like Mrs. Ingalls inspired them from Little House on the Prairie and Anne from Anne of Green Gables. Two of her favourite sayings were, “Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes in the morning” and “Happiness is your responsibility.”

Jennifer Garner dished marriage advice on the “Lipstick on the Rim” podcast. GC Images

Throughout the podcast, Garner did not touch on her previous marriages to Scott Foley or Ben Affleck, but she has previously opened up about her past relationships. She once explained that her marriage to Foley ended due to the pressures of Hollywood’s “fast-lane life,” suggesting they “would probably still be together” had they not been thrust into the spotlight.

The words of wisdom came from her mom, Patricia Garner. GC Images

Regarding her marriage to Affleck, she admitted in a 2016 interview with Vanity Fair that Affleck is a “complicated guy,” noting that when he is at his best, “you feel it,” but when his attention shifts, “it’s cold.”

She blamed their breakup on Hollywood’s “fast-lane life.” WireImage

Although she didn’t delve deeper into her marriages during the podcast, Jennifer briefly mentioned her children with Affleck — Violet, 18, Seraphina, 15, and Samuel, 12. She agreed with the podcast hosts, Molly Sims and Emese Gormley, who praised her children for their resilience and strength.

The actress joked about needing to “work on that one.” Getty Images

Two weeks after the podcast aired, Garner and Affleck were spotted together again, spending Thanksgiving with their three children. The family volunteered at Midnight Mission in Los Angeles, serving meals to people experiencing homelessness. Affleck, currently going through a second divorce from Jennifer Lopez, spent the holiday with his ex-wife and children.

She did not elaborate on either of her two marriages. Jennifer. garner/Instagram

She was married to Scott Foley from 2000 to 2004. Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

Jennifer wed Ben Affleck in 2005, with the duo separating 10 years later. Getty Images

The exes, who share their kids, finalised their divorce in 2018. Getty Images

The duo often reunite while co-parenting. GC Images

Most recently, they spent Thanksgiving together on Thursday. The Midnight Mission/Instagram

Meanwhile, Lopez shared a glimpse of her Thanksgiving celebration on Instagram, calling herself “so incredibly grateful” in her post. However, she did not mention Affleck, marking a quieter holiday for the couple, who had rekindled their romance after years apart, married in 2021, and separated earlier this year.