Ben Affleck pushed Jennifer Garner to confirm their marriage is over.

The 42-year-old actor, who confirmed his split from the brunette beauty in a joint statement last week just one day after their 10th wedding anniversary, was reportedly desperate for them to share the sad news because he ''wanted to be free.''

A source said: ''She had a very hard time going public. Ben has been pushing her to release the statement for several weeks. He wanted to be free.''

The 'Butter' actress, who admitted to friends earlier this summer that ending their relationship was her worst nightmare for their three children, Violet, nine, Seraphina, five, and Samuel, three, is said to have become ''really, really tired'' of trying to make their marriage work amid rumours the Oscar winner cheated on her and is ''drinking'' again.

The insider added: ''There wasn't one thing that caused Jen to snap. It was a steady build-up over the years. She is really, really tired.

''She always fought against the urge to throw her hands up in the air and walk away.

''From the smoking to drinking and gambling, she has always been the one person who can get through to him. She keeps Ben in line as much as she can. She was his rock.''

Jennifer is said to be ''concerned'' with how Ben, who sought treatment in rehab in 2001, will cope on his own.

The source to US Weekly: ''She's concerned about how he is going to deal with this on his own. He gets lonely and depressed. Jen has bent over backward for Ben so many times. She just couldn't put up with it anymore.''