- Kevin Costner is a father to seven children, three of whom are from his current marriage to Christine Baumgartner.
- His estranged wife wants him to pay more in child support because of what he earns.
- Costner claimed he couldn’t afford what his wife wanted but continued living lavishly.
With his ex-wife, Cindy Silva, Kevin Costner welcomed three children, Annie, Lily, and Joe, who are now adults. The actor also welcomed a son, Liam, with his former partner, Bridget Rooney, before marrying his current wife, Christine Baumgartner.
The star and the former handbag designer tied the knot in September 2004 before welcoming three more children: Cayden Wyatt, Hayes Logan, and Grace Avery. That brought the total of Costner’s children to seven.
Kevin Costner, Christine Baumgartner, and their children at the Los Angeles premiere of “The Art of Racing In The Rain” on August 1, 2019, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
Sadly, after 18 years of marriage, Baumgartner filed for divorce on May 1, 2023. Costner, allegedly “blindsided” by the divorce filing, was seen for the first time at the end of July 2023 with the teenage children he shares with his estranged wife in Aspen, Colorado.
Kevin Costner plays golf with his son in the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am at Pebble Beach Golf Links on February 9, 2011, in Pebble Beach, California | Source: Getty Images
While divorce proceedings continue in the background, Costner’s wife has already made some demands. Some of the requirements the mother of three made have to do with the children she and the actor share.
What Stipulations Did Christine Make Regarding Her Children with Kevin?
In August 2023, Baumgartner revealed that she wishes for Costner’s $129,000 monthly child support to be increased so their children can continue living well when in her custody. The former designer hopes the court will consider how the children’s lifestyle with both parents must remain the same.
Christine Baumgartner, her son Hayes, and her daughter Grace Avery Costner seen at Roissy Airport on January 15, 2013, in Paris, France | Source: Getty Images
The second reason she wanted an increase was because she learned how much her husband makes. The “Yellowstone” star allegedly raked in between $65 and $95 million, so his wife wants an estimated $175,057 monthly for the children.
The Oscar Award winner said the reason for that is because he is no longer under contract to shoot “Yellowstone.”
Kevin Costner and his sons at the premiere of “McFarland, USA” at the El Capitan Theatre on February 9, 2015, in Hollywood, California | Source: Getty Images
However, the three children’s mother still feels that the amount will not be sufficient to replicate the lifestyle Costner gave the children. But she thought it would be enough to provide the children a lifestyle “which is relatively comparable.”
Kevin Costner on a ride with his daughter Grace at Legoland California on May 27, 2015, in Calsbad | Source: Getty Images
In response, Baumgartner’s estranged husband defended himself, saying he can’t afford his wife’s child support stipulations. However, Costner was recently seen doing something that proved he could afford the support.
What Was Kevin Seen Doing That Goes against His Child Support Claims?
In June 2023, Baumgartner, 49, had asked the court to force Costner, 68, to pay $248,000 monthly in total child support before seemingly coming down to the lower figure. At the time, the former handbag designer still claimed that amount was less than what was needed for their children to maintain the lifestyles they’d grown accustomed to.
Christine Costner onstage during OmniPeace Foundation Presents Rock Rwanda Benefit Honoring her and husband, Kevin Costner on April 5, 2022, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
The actor’s wife also wants him to pay all the children’s private school tuition, health-care expenses, extracurricular activities, and sports. Despite claiming he couldn’t afford that amount either, on August 27, 2023, Costner was seen returning to Santa Barbara from Glasgow, Scotland, in a private plane.
The celebrity took a short vacation in a lavish jet. Part of the reason why the “Dances with Wolves” star is refusing to pay the stipulated child support is due to a prediction he reportedly once made, saying:
“I will earn substantially less in 2023 than I did in 2022.”
Kevin Costner with his children, his fiancee Christine Baumgarten, and his parents at the star ceremony honoring him on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on August 11, 2003 | Source: Getty Images
The Oscar Award winner said the reason for that is because he is no longer under contract to shoot “Yellowstone.” Costner allegedly claimed that the Western series was his primary source of income in 2022.
