Whether maintaining a friendship, living near (or with) the ex, or keeping the split private for the children's sake, divorced celebrities continue to show that a healthy co-parenting dynamic is possible.
In this article, we'll examine the co-parenting journeys of famous couples and their impressive strategies for preserving family harmony after divorce.
Andrea Swift and Scott Swift
Even some die-hard "Swifties" may not know that Taylor Swift's parents, Andrea and Scott, divorced after more than thirty years of marriage. The Swifts decided to keep their 2011 divorce private, not disclosing it to the public for years, to maintain a sense of normalcy for Taylor.
To this day, Andrea and Scott Swift continue to go with Taylor to award shows and accompany her on tour. Despite a rocky split, the Swifts remained supportive of one another in their shared role as parents.
Donna Kelce and Ed Kelce
Speaking of Taylor Swift, Donna and Ed Kelce, the parents of NFL star and Taylor's boyfriend, Travis Kelce, exemplify a co-parenting approach emphasizing teamwork and shared values. Though they divorced after 25 years of marriage, the Kelces still show up for their sons at games and events.
Donna and Ed explain in the 2023 film Kelce that they stayed together for as long as they did for the sake of their boys. "If we had split, as we probably both would have preferred, that would have been a nightmare with the logistics, getting kids where they had to be and providing all the support," says Ed.
Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe
Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe's split in 2007 was hardly without its challenges, but both kept the focus on raising their two children, Ava and Deacon, in a loving family environment.
Witherspoon told ABC News that she always tells her kids, "You're so lucky 'cause it's not just your mom and dad who love you. You have grandparents that love you, a stepdad that loves you, and it's always such a great opportunity to have as many people in your life nurturing you and carrying you and guiding you in this life.'"
According to Phillippe, "You have to get to that point as a divorced parent, as any parent, where you're not putting yourself first. You want the kids' experience to be its own and not like, 'Well, I need to have my time!' We have been very good about that."
Anderson Cooper and Benjamin Maisani
After their breakup, CNN anchor Anderson Cooper and his ex-partner Benjamin Maisani embraced a unique co-parenting arrangement. They chose to continue living together to co-parent their son, Wyatt.
Cooper has openly discussed the value of maintaining a strong relationship with Maisani, emphasizing that their son benefits from both parents being actively involved in his life. "It's probably an unusual setup, but I knew he would be a great dad, and he is. We're exes, but we're family to each other, and we love each other as family and as co-parents."
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner
After a decade of marriage, Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck share three children: Violet, Seraphina, and Samuel. Amidst the media scrutiny surrounding their 2015 split and the more recent JLo Affleck breakup, both Affleck and Garner have remained focused on their kids' well-being, coordinating schedules and attending events together (sometimes even amicably with Affleck's second wipe Jennifer Lopez).
During a recent conversation with Variety, Garner explained that she maintained "a healthy relationship with my ex for the health and well-being of my children. With the spotlight on us all the time, sometimes that can be difficult."
These celebrity exes offer just a few examples of how co-parenting can be successful, even in the public eye. They have created nurturing environments that prioritize their kids ' well-being through mutual respect, open communication, and thinking outside the box.
While divorce can be rough, it can also pave the way for new beginnings, especially when parents put their children first. Ultimately, love and support can transcend marital boundaries, ensuring the next generation has the tools to build productive and healthy adult lives.