Kevin Costner's ex-wife Christine Baumgartner ENGAGED to financier Josh Connor 18 months after split
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Kevin Costner's ex-wife Christine Baumgartner is engaged to his former friend Josh Connor, less than two years after splitting from the Hollywood icon.
Costner, 70, and Baumgartner, 50, split in May 2023 following a 19 year marriage and three children - with Baumgartner sparking up a romance with the handsome financier, 49, that year.
The couple got engaged on January 26 during an intimate dinner in Santa Barbara, per People.
A source said: 'It was about to rain, so almost no one else was on the beach when Josh got down on one knee.'
The couple's loved ones were 'not surprised' by the proposal, with the source adding: 'They spent Christmas together last month, where it all began. They are both over the moon and excited for their future together.'
The proposal comes 11 months after Costner and Baumgartner settled their acrimonious divorce battle following much legal wrangling over child and spousal support.
Kevin Costner 's ex-wife Christine Baumgartner is engaged to his former friend Josh Connor, less than two years after splitting from the Hollywood icon - pictured April 2024
Kevin and Christine split in May 2023 after 19 years of marriage and three kids - pictured 2019
Costner and Baumgartner both sought joint custody of their three children and Baumgartner is receiving $63,209 a month in child support from her ex, a much lower amount than the $165K she had requested.
In an emotional court hearing in August, Christine had argued that their children had grown accustomed to a life of luxury, claiming that their 'affluent lifestyle' was 'in their DNA.'
Baumgartner previously wanted to overturn her prenuptial agreement so she could receive alimony.
Under the prenup she is entitled to a lump sum of $1.5million and a year's worth of mortgage payments on a new home worth up to $1million.
However the judge rejected these protests and enforced the prenup.
Baumgartner filed for divorce from Costner in May 2023 citing irreconcilable differences.
She was ordered to vacate Costner's $145million Carpinteria compound two months later.
The former couple welcomed three children during the course of their marriage: Cayden, 17, Hayes, 15, and Grace, 14.
Baumgartner was first spotted with her and Costner's former neighbor Connor in July 2023 in Hawaii. He is also divorced and a father of three children.
Their romance was confirmed in January 2024.
However, it has since been reported that Costner had suspected that 'something was going on between Christine and Josh,' a source informed Us Weekly.
Baumgartner was first spotted with her and Costner's former neighbor Connor in July 2023 in Hawaii. He is also divorced and a father of three children - pictured May 2024
The former couple welcomed three children during the course of their marriage: Cayden, 17, Hayes, 15, and Grace, 14 - pictured 2019
The duo pictured at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in 2022
The couple got engaged on January 26 during an intimate dinner in Santa Barbara, per People . A source said: ' It was about to rain, so almost no one else was on the beach when Josh got down on one knee' - pictured July 2024
Costner is pictured stepping out in Aspen last month
Baumgartner filed to end the marriage last year; pictured 2005
Moving vans were seen outside of Costner's $145million home in Carpinteria, California in July 2023 as Baumgartner moved out of their home
The insider also added that the new couple's 'close [bond] was a real elephant in the room.'
In December 2024 a source said Baumgartner and Connor are 'so in love after she stayed in a tough marriage' for 'far too long' for her children's sake, per Page Six .
Baumgartner is said to be 'beyond happy to be in a committed and loving relationship with someone that shares her same values.'
In December 2023, Costner was also linked to singer Jewel - three months after reaching a divorce settlement.
However, both Kevin and Jewel have firmly denied any romantic involvement.
'Jewel and I are friends—we’ve never gone out. Ever,' Kevin clarified during a June 2024 appearance on The Howard Stern Show.
'She’s special, and I don’t want these rumors to ruin our friendship because that’s what we have.'
The source also told Us Weekly that since the Oscar winner has also moved on, 'Christine doesn't think Kevin has anything to complain about.'
'Josh has been Christine's rock throughout the divorce ordeal. If Kevin has a problem with that, that's on him,' and also noted that the couple's close friendship had turned romantic 'relatively recently.'
In the midst of their divorce proceedings back in August 2023, Kevin claimed that he 'does not know for a fact' if Baumgartner had 'extramarital' affairs but stated that he had been faithful during their marriage.
In June 2024 Costner admitted his shock split was 'powerful and hurt' but said his seven children - the three youngest of which he shares with Baumgartner - have kept him going.
Appearing on CBS Mornings with Gayle King to promote film Horizon, he said of the divorce: 'That's a crushing moment. It's powerful, it hurt.
In June 2024 Costner admitted his shock split was 'powerful and hurt' but said his seven children - the three youngest of which he shares with Baumgartner - have kept him going
Costner and Baumgartner pictured together in 2005
'But I go forward, I have no choice. My children are looking at me so I can't wilt like a daisy. I have to go forward, I have to continue to be who I am and to keep a special eye on who they are.'
When recently asked about how he has been navigating life after his ex filed for divorce in May 2023 after nearly 20 years of marriage, he replied: 'You just do it.'
'You just keep talking, you keep coaching [the kids], you keep interested in what they're interested in,' he continued. 'I had to.'
DailyMail's exclusively reported that Costner and Sharon Stone were getting 'flirty' at the Governors Awards on November 17.
Rumors suggested that the two even exchanged phone numbers at the gala, further igniting speculation about a blossoming romance.
'Sparks were flying, they exchanged numbers.' a source told InTouch.
The insider shared details of the encounter, noting that Sharon—who supported Kevin during his divorce from Baumgartner in 2023—seemed to enjoy the attention, even throwing a playful wink his way.
The DailyMail source added more context to the exchange, saying: 'It definitely looked like they were hitting it off.'
The witness continued: 'They started off polite with small talk then he put on his Kevin Costner charm, you know, like the vibes he gave off in Bull Durham and Tin Cup, like heyyyy baby.'
'Sharon is such a class act, she handled the attention very well and was cute. She winked at him and was sweet.'
'Sharon is such a class act, she handled the attention very well and was cute. She winked at him and was sweet.'
Inside Kevin Costner's colorful love life: Two divorces, a love child and rumors of infidelity
Kevin Costner's marriage to second wife Christine Baumgartner is coming to an end after 18 years and three children together.
Baumgartner, 49, cited 'irreconcilable differences' as the reason for the shock split, which reportedly 'blindsided' the Yellowstone star, 68.
And in wake of his latest failed union, DailyMail.com is taking a deep dive into the actor's colorful love life.
And in wake of his latest failed union to purse designer Christine Baumgartner, DailyMail.com is taking a deep dive into Kevin Costner's colorful love life; seen in 2022
First wife Cindy Silva
Costner pictured with his first wife Cindy Silva in 1991, she filed for divorce three years later ending their 16 year marriage
In November 1994, Costner's then wife, Cindy Silva, filed for divorce after 16 years of marriage.
'We have amicably resolved all issues regarding our children and financial affairs and a full marital settlement has been reached. We ask to be allowed the dignity of sorting through this more painful part of our lives in private,' a statement from the couple read in 1994.
Costner and Silva met while they were both students at California State University - Fullerton.
They would go on to have three children together.
The pair split amid multiple reports that Costner had been having an affair with a celebrated hula dancer named Michele Amaral while he was filming his multi-million dollar flop Waterworld in Hawaii.
Eventually, Silva was awarded around $80 million in the divorce settlement.
In a 1995 interview, The Bodyguard star took responsibility for his role in the demise of his marriage, but did not go into detail.
'A series of events conspired to happen at the same time. I know it hurt some people that I had failed in my marriage. And the marriage was my own failure,' he said.
Costner said in a 1995 interview with Parade Magazine that he never even spoke to Amaral on the phone.
He also listed off the other women he was supposedly linked to including Playboy model Angie Everheart and the daughter of casino magnate Steve Wynn.
'It was hard on Cindy and our children. It didn't help things. The only thing it did was hurt. The collapse of my marriage was the hardest thing of all for me,' the Dances With Wolves star said.
Costner went on to express his love for his first wife: 'You can put this on the record. Through all the pain, Cindy's been what I always thought she was a real lady. I still have love for Cindy.'
Silva supported Costner when he was a struggling actor, taking on odd-jobs that included performing as Snow White at Disneyland.
Short-lived fling Bridget Rooney
Shortly after his split from Silva, Costner had a son, Liam, with Pittsburgh Steelers heiress Bridget Rooney
Less than two years after his split from Silva, Costner had a son, Liam, with Bridget Rooney.
She is heiress to the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the aunt of actresses Rooney and Kate Mara.
In 1996 Rooney insisted that she was '110% sure who the father' of her child was.
But Rooney still 'insisted on a paternity test' to prove paternity, according to a 2002 article from PEOPLE.
That months-long affair is rumored to have cost the actor $7 million.
Liam in now 27-years-old.
'Mistress' Michele Amaral
In 1994, Kevin Costner was widely reported to have had an affair with hula dancer Michele Amaral while filming Waterworld
Costner allegedly had an affair with a celebrated hula dancer named Michele Amaral while he was filming his multi-million dollar flop Waterworld in Hawaii.
Amaral was also married as well as being a mother-of-two when she met Costner.
A report at the time in the New York Daily News said that the pair met at the Mauna Lani hotel and shortly afterwards Amaral was 'spotted creeping out of his $4,500-a-day villa.
According to a Departures Magazine feature, Amaral has taught hula across the world and is known as the island's premier soloist.
The Daily News report said that Silva was alerted to the affair by someone who was working on Waterworld and was fired.
The same article accused Costner of multiple infidelities during his marriage.
At the time Costner strenuously denied the allegations saying that he was merely interviewing Amaral for a job.
During an interview where Amaral was brought up, Costner became infuriated.
'This woman has done nothing wrong and yet has had to share the harsh light of celebrity with me. I feel embarrassed, and I don't think there's one thing I can do to make her life better.'
'This woman has a name and to make her a thing is the worst part of all. It's wrong for her and her husband,' Costner said.
Second wife Christine Baumgartner
Costner and second wife Baumgartner first began dating in 1998, having met around 1996 while Costner was filming his movie Tin Cup. They wed in 2004; seen in 2022
Costner and second wife Baumgartner first began dating in 1998, having met around 1996 while Costner was filming his movie Tin Cup.
The Bodyguard star said that at the time he first met her, he wasn't ready to fall in love again.
Both are graduates of California State University - Fullerton. Baumgartner graduated with a degree in business.
They married in 2004 in Aspen, Colorado, where Costner has long maintained a 160-acre ranch, known as The Dunbar. Rooms can be rented on the property for as much as $36,000 per night.
The reason for the long courtship was because Costner was not sure if wanted more kids. The uncertainty even led them to break up for a period prior to their engagement.
'Fear kept me from marrying Christine. [She] wanted a child, but I was afraid I couldn't be an effective father.'
'I woke up and thought, 'Am I going to lose a beautiful woman who is willing to be with me to my very last breath because I am afraid to say yes to a child?' That's all it took. Sometimes you learn the thing you're most afraid of will save your life,' he told Closer Weekly in 2018.
Costner told the Daily Telegraph in 2011 that the reason for his four year hiatus from making movies was because of his new family.
As a recently as 2020, Costner spoke glowingly about how the couple's relationship strengthened during the Covid-19 pandemic. He told People: 'Our partnership has really come into focus about what we do for each other and how we deal with our family.'
The couple share three children, Grace, 12, Hayes, 14, and Cayden, 15, and both have filed for joint custody; seen in 2019
In 2022, Radar Online reported that Costner was given an ultimatum from his wife. The report said that she was demanding that he quit his hit show Yellowstone due to the fact that he was gone from home so often.
'The show is such a mega-hit, producers want it to go on forever! [Baumgartner] wants a firm commitment this is his last season — or he might have to!,' a source told the website.
And on Tuesday, May 2, it was revealed that Baumgartner had filed for divorce after 18 years of marriage.
A representative for the Yellowstone star asked for privacy while saying that 'circumstances beyond his control have transpired which have resulted in Mr. Costner having to participate in a dissolution of marriage action' with Baumgartner.
The couple share three children, 12, 14 and 15, and both have filed for joint custody.
The family's primary residence was in Ventura, California, 30 miles south of Santa Barbara, where they also own an oceanfront mansion.
The couple settled with prenup enforced in September 2023.
