Here’s a story that will make you believe in the power of legacy: Violet Affleck, the eldest daughter of Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck, is stepping into the spotlight—and she’s doing it with a purpose that mirrors her mom’s grace and determination. While the former couple is famously private about their family life, Ben recently shared a rare and heartfelt glimpse into their world during an interview at the premiere of Kiss of the Spider-Woman, a film he produced. But here’s where it gets even more inspiring: Violet, now 19, is not just following in her mother’s footsteps—she’s carving her own path as a passionate advocate for global health and environmental justice.
During his conversation with Access Hollywood, Ben couldn’t help but gush about his daughter’s recent achievements. When asked about Violet’s powerful testimony at the United Nations, where she spoke about the urgent need for clean air and mask mandates to combat long Covid, Ben beamed with pride. ‘I could not be more proud of my children,’ he said. ‘Violet takes after her mom. She’s spectacular. I’m very lucky to have a great partner in co-parenting and such amazing kids. It’s the joy of my life.’ And this is the part most people miss: despite their separation in 2015, Jennifer and Ben have maintained a close, supportive relationship, proving that co-parenting can thrive with mutual respect and admiration.
But here’s where it gets controversial: Violet’s advocacy isn’t just about masks and clean air—it’s a call to action that challenges societal norms and demands systemic change. In her essay for Yale’s Global Health Review, titled A Chronically Ill Earth: COVID Organizing as a Model Climate Response in Los Angeles, she reflects on the devastating wildfires that ravaged her hometown. ‘I spent the January fires in Los Angeles arguing with my mother in a hotel room,’ she wrote. While Jennifer was shocked by the scale of destruction, Violet, a climate-literate member of Generation Z, saw it as an inevitable consequence of inaction. This generational divide raises a thought-provoking question: Are we, as a society, doing enough to prepare the next generation for the crises they’ll inherit?
Violet didn’t stop at writing essays. In July 2024, she addressed the LA County Board of Supervisors, advocating for mask mandates and improved air filtration in public spaces, including jails and detention centers. ‘I contracted a post-viral condition in 2019,’ she shared. ‘Medicine doesn’t always have answers, and the COVID-19 pandemic has made that painfully clear.’ Her bold demands have sparked both admiration and debate. Is it fair to place such a heavy burden on young advocates like Violet, or is this exactly the kind of leadership we need?
Raised in LA alongside her siblings Fin, 16, and Samuel, 13, Violet is now in her second year at Yale, studying in New Haven, Connecticut. Jennifer has openly admitted that letting go of her eldest child was bittersweet, but the family has embraced their new normal, cherishing every moment together. In a lighthearted moment on Dr. Aliza Pressman’s podcast, Raising Good Humans, Jennifer joked, ‘Funny is number one. Please be funny—that’s why I had you.’ And it seems Violet has inherited her mom’s wit and her dad’s determination, making her a force to be reckoned with.
As Violet continues to make waves, one thing is clear: her parents’ legacy of compassion and resilience lives on in her work. But we want to hear from you: Do you think young activists like Violet are the key to driving change, or is it unfair to place such expectations on them? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s keep the conversation going!
