Kevin Costner’s Wife, Christine Baumgartner, Files for Divorce After More Than 18 Years of Marriage

Kevin Costner’s Wife, Christine Baumgartner, Files for Divorce After More Than 18 Years of Marriage

Christine Baumgartner has filed for divorce from star Kevin Costner, according to TMZ.

In a statement to People, a representative for Kevin Costner said: “It is with great sadness that circumstances beyond his control have transpired which have resulted in Mr. Costner having to participate in a dissolution of marriage action.”

“We ask that his privacy, Christine’s and their children’s be respected as they navigate this difficult time,” the representative added.

The couple married in September 2004 and share three children together: two sons, Cayden (15) and Hayes (14), alongside a daughter, Grace (12). Kevin Costner (68) also has four older children from previous relationships, including daughters Annie and Lily, and sons Joe and Liam.

Who Is Kevin Costner's Ex-Wife? All About Christine Baumgartner

Christine Baumgartner was upfront with Kevin Costner about wanting to start a family. The actor revealed to Extra that on day one of their relationship, Baumgartner told him: “If you’re going to be with me, you need to know that kids are at the end of the jetty for me.”

The couple dated for six years before Baumgartner gave Costner an ultimatum. “Finally, there came a moment where, maybe this doesn’t go forward. I’m not going to lose her because I’m afraid,” Costner said of his decision at the time.

The actor had nothing but praise for his wife when speaking to People about their relationship during the pandemic: “Our partnership has really come into focus about what we do for each other and how we deal with our family. Our house is like a river: You’ve just got to get into the flow of it.”

Kevin Costner is a two-time Oscar winner, famous for his roles as Lieutenant John J. Dunbar in Dances with Wolves, Jim Garrison in JFK, and Ray Kinsella in Field of Dreams. Costner also received a Golden Raspberry Award for Waterworld and has experienced failures in several other filmmaking projects.

Kevin Costner's wife Christine Baumgartner files for divorce | news.com.au  — Australia's leading news site for latest headlines

 

 

Kevin Costner’s Wife Accuses Husband of Underreporting Assets

Christine Baumgartner claims Kevin Costner disclosed only a quarter of his true net worth during their divorce proceedings.

According to TMZ on August 25, the model alleged in legal documents that The Bodyguard actor possesses a net worth of nearly $400 million, including approximately $24 million in cash. “After 18 years of marriage, my husband’s wealth has increased nearly fourfold from the $102.7 million asset total when we both signed the prenuptial agreement in 2004. But he has concealed this, refusing to provide financial disclosure documents,” Christine said.

Kevin Costner Forensic Accountant Claims Star's Estranged Wife Christine  Spent $18K a Month on Clothing

Her attorney stated that Kevin Costner has been “stonewalling” by failing to disclose this information ahead of the child support hearing.

A day after his wife’s allegations surfaced, Kevin was spotted at the Santa Barbara airport dressed in a black and white tracksuit. The actor utilized a private jet, reportedly returning to California following a film project in Glasgow, Scotland. According to Air Charter Advisors, aircraft of this type typically carry a retail price of up to over $45 million. However, pre-owned models range in price from $4 million to $10 million.

Christine’s objective in reporting these figures is to seek a modification of the court’s ruling in order to increase child support payments. Initially, she requested her husband provide $248,000 monthly for their three children, and demanded he cover the entirety of private school tuition, extracurricular activities, sports, and healthcare expenses for the children. The actor deemed his wife’s demands unreasonable, claiming she was using the child support money to maintain her own lavish lifestyle.

In July, a judge ruled that Kevin must pay his wife $129,755 per month in child support for Cayden (16), Hayes (14), and Grace (13). He was also ordered to pay $200,000 in attorney fees and $100,000 in forensic accounting costs.

Kevin Costner accused of concealing evidence in divorce proceedings by  Christine Baumgartner | Marca

Christine Baumgartner, a 49-year-old model and handbag designer, filed for divorce from Kevin Costner on May 1, citing “irreconcilable differences.” A source told Radaronline that Christine wanted him to spend time with the family at their Santa Barbara home and grew weary of her husband’s “obsession with work, estate, and money.” She has since moved out of the residence following her husband’s request.

Kevin Costner, 68, is an American actor, director, and producer. He is widely known for his role as Eliot Ness in The Untouchables (1987) and bodyguard Frank Farmer in the eponymous film, starring opposite legendary singer Whitney Houston. With Yellowstone, Kevin became one of the highest-paid television stars, and he recently exited the series after five seasons.

 

 

Who Is Kevin Costner’s Ex-Wife? All About Christine Baumgartner

Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner finalized their divorce in February 2024

Kevin Costner's Ex-Wife Is Requesting a Massive Sum in Their Divorce

Christine Baumgartner has moved on after her 18-year marriage to Kevin Costner.

She filed for divorce from the Yellowstone star, citing “irreconcilable differences,” on May 1, 2023. After a contentious legal battle, they finalized their divorce in February 2024.

News of her engagement to financier Josh Connor — a longtime friend and former neighbor of the now-divorced couple — broke in January 2025. The pair have been together “since she split from Kevin,” a friend of Baumgartner told PEOPLE exclusively in January 2024.

The couple tied the knot less than a year later on Oct. 18, 2025, in an outdoor ceremony in Santa Barbara, Calif.

Here’s everything to know about Kevin Costner’s ex-wife, Christine Baumgartner.

She is a handbag designer

Christine Baumgartner and Kevin Costner attend the 94th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on March 27, 2022 in Hollywood, California

 

Baumgartner designs handbags under the label Cat Bag Couture, which are available in boutiques.

She explained to the Denver Post in 2005 how her journey to becoming a handbag designer began. “When I came up with some samples, I showed them to Kevin, and he said they were beautiful and amazing,” she recalled. “He told me I should take it to the next step and he’d help me. I’ve always loved fashion and style, and if you can mix it with function, it’s perfect.”

She met Costner while he was filming Tin Cup

Kevin Costner & Christine Baumgartner during Big 3 Records Monte Carlo Invitational Pro-Celebrity Golf Tournament 2000 at Monte Carlo Golf Club in Monte Carlo, Monaco

 

Costner was still married to his first wife, Cindy Silva, when he originally met Baumgartner. The two crossed paths on a golf course where Costner was rehearsing for his 1996 romantic comedy Tin Cup.

After Costner and Silva divorced in 1994, he briefly dated and had a child with Bridget Rooney. In 1998, following his break up with Rooney, Costner ran into Baumgartner at a restaurant and the two began dating soon after.

She married Costner in 2004

 

Kevin Costner & Christine Baumgartner during 14th Carousel of Hope Ball for Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes at Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, United States

 

Baumgartner’s 2004 wedding to Costner was a storybook affair. The ceremony took place on Costner’s 160-acre ranch, The Dunbar, in Aspen. The actor arrived in a horse-drawn carriage while Baumgartner came to the ceremony in a green vintage truck, PEOPLE reported.

The Dunbar, named after Costner’s Dances with Wolves character, is still owned by Costner and is now available as a private wedding venue.

 

She lived with Costner in Santa Barbara

 

Christine Baumgartner and Kevin Costner attend the 28th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at Barker Hangar on February 27, 2022 in Santa Monica, California

 

Despite having strong roots in Colorado, where Costner owns a 160-acre ranch, Baumgartner lived with Costner and their children in Santa Barbara, California, during their marriage.

Following Baumgartner’s divorce filing in May 2023, TMZ reported that she was unwilling to vacate the home she shared with Costner. This was despite the 30-day deadline noted in their prenuptial agreement and the actor’s offer to give her $10,000 to cover moving expenses and another $30,000 per month for a rental home.

In July 2023, a judge ordered Baumgartner to vacate Costner’s California compound by the end of the month. The judge also prohibited her from removing “items of property including, but not limited to, furniture, furnishings, appliances, and artwork.”

A source told PEOPLE that Costner “was relieved” after hearing the ruling. Weeks later, moving trucks were seen leaving the $145 million Santa Barbara home.

Soon after, another source reported that Baumgartner was “happy” to be out of the house. “Christine hopes there will be less drama now,” the insider told PEOPLE.

She almost broke up with Costner after six years together

 

Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner posing. The couple annouced their engagement June 26, 2003

 

Despite the nearly 20-year age difference, Baumgartner was upfront with Costner about wanting to start a family. Costner revealed to Extra that on day one of their relationship, Baumgartner told him, “If you’re going to be with me, you need to know that kids are at the end of the road for me with you, if that’s going to happen.”

The pair dated for six years before Baumgartner gave Costner an ultimatum. “Finally, there came a moment where, maybe this doesn’t go forward,” Costner said before he decided “I’m not going to lose her because I’m afraid.”

She has three children with Costner

 

Kevin Costner, wife Christine Baumgartner and children Grace Avery Costner, Hayes Logan Costner and Cayden Wyatt Costner arrive at the World Premiere of Disney's "McFarland, USA" at the El Capitan Theatre on February 9, 2015 in Hollywood, California

 

 

Three years after tying the knot with Costner, Baumgartner gave birth to son Cayden Wyatt, followed by son Hayes Logan and daughter Grace Avery. The family walked the red carpet to support Costner at his The Art of Racing in the Rain premiere in 2019.

Baumgartner is also a stepmom to Costner’s children from previous relationships: Liam, whose mother is Rooney, and Joe, Lily and Annie from his marriage to Silva.

She filed for divorce from Costner in May 2023

 

Kevin Costner (R) and Christine Baumgartner arrive at the Los Angeles premiere of "3 Days To Kill" held at ArcLight Cinemas on February 12, 2014 in Hollywood, California

 

 

After 18 years together, Baumgartner and Costner revealed they were going their separate ways after the mom of three filed for divorce on May 1, 2023.

“It is with great sadness that circumstances beyond his control have transpired which have resulted in Mr. Costner having to participate in a dissolution of marriage action,” Costner’s representative said in a statement to PEOPLE. “We ask that his, Christine’s, and their children’s privacy be respected as they navigate this difficult time.”

Costner filed his response a day later, requesting joint custody of the pair’s children.

“It was not anything that [Costner] wanted or sought, and if he could change the situation, he would,” a source told PEOPLE just days after the divorce was made public.

Since filing for divorce, Baumgartner has decided to challenge the couple’s prenup. By doing so, she may need to forfeit her $1.5 million divorce settlement.

Costner then requested that Baumgartner pay him $99,225 in legal fees. The former couple’s prenup stated that if either party retained counsel to “enforce or prevent a breach” of the agreement, “the prevailing party … shall be entitled … to be reimbursed by the non-prevailing party for all costs and expenses incurred thereby.”

Baumgartner’s lawyers later asked the court to deny Costner’s request, calling it “unreasonable.”

They eventually settled their divorce in September 2023, with a rep for Costner saying in a joint statement from the former couple, “Kevin and Christine Costner have come to an amicable and mutually agreed upon resolution of all issues pertaining to their divorce proceedings.”

Their marriage was officially terminated on Feb. 16, 2024.

 

She requested Costner pay $248,000 a month in child support

 

V

Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner

 

 

In June 2023, it was revealed that Baumgartner requested $248,000 per month in child support for all three of the couple’s children. Costner originally proposed to pay $38,000 a month in child support, in addition to “100% of certain child-related costs,” including private school tuition and health insurance.

In the filing, Baumgartner alleged that the figure “is less than the amount needed to maintain the children in their accustomed lifestyle.”

Soon after the filing, a source told PEOPLE that Costner “wants to hold on to as much as he can” amid his divorce.

In July 2023, a judge ordered that Costner make monthly payments of $129,755 in child support for the foreseeable future. The next month, Baumgartner requested $175,057 per month in child support, according to court documents obtained by PEOPLE.

During a two-day child support hearing in September 2023, Costner was ordered to pay Baumgartner $63,209 per month, effectively settling the matter.

Costner believes she was “planning her exit” long before filing for divorce

 

Christine Costner, Kevin Costner

 

Costner and his team believe that Baumgartner was planning to leave the Yellowstone actor long before she filed for divorce. Months prior to the couple’s split, she allegedly took cash advances on credit cards issued to her staff and she purchased a new vehicle.

“Months before separation, although the parties had always leased their automobiles, without [Costner’s] knowledge or consent, [Christine] bought an expensive vehicle for her personal use (probably because the [prenuptial agreement] allows her to take that vehicle with her),” a court filing read. “Thus, it appears that [Christine] had been planning her exit long before she told [Costner] in April 2023.”

She married financier Josh Connor in October 2025

 

Kevin Costner's Ex Christine Steps Out with Josh Connor After Settling Divorce with Actor

 

Baumgartner and Josh Connor were first spotted together in Hawaii — just two months after the mom of three filed for divorce from Costner in May 2023.

“Christine and Josh’s relationship started as a friendship, so they have a really strong foundation,” a source told PEOPLE in December 2024. “They share the same values, and she feels so happy and supported in this new relationship. They’re so in love.”

In January 2025, Connor proposed to Baumgartner in Santa Barbara.

“It was about to rain, so almost no one else was on the beach when Josh got down on one knee,” a source close to the couple told PEOPLE. “They are both over the moon and excited for their future together.”

Their wedding took place nine months later on Oct. 18, 2025, at private vineyard Santa Ynez Ranch, where 100 guests witnessed the couple say their vows just before sunset.

“It was magical — truly,” one of their wedding guests told PEOPLE. “The setting was gorgeous, but what made it special was the intimacy of it all. This wasn’t a big production. It was authentic, heartfelt, and so very them. Everyone there felt like they were witnessing something really precious.”

 

 

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