Kevin Costner Speaks Out about ‘Horrible’ Divorce 19 Years after Dealing with Fears of Becoming a Parent Again
- Kevin Costner has spoken out about his divorce from Christine Baumgartner.
- Baumgartner and Costner share three kids.
- Costner once confessed that he was afraid of becoming a father again.
Kevin Costner has opened up about his contentious divorce from his estranged wife, Christine Baumgartner. Costner and Baumgartner were married for 18 years until the designer filed for divorce in May 2023.
The couple got married in 2004 and have three kids: Cayden Costner,14, Hayes Costner, 14, and Grace Costner, 13. Ever since Baumgartner filed for divorce, the pair have engaged in wild accusations as court proceedings went on.
The actor accused Baumgartner of dating his close friend Josh Connor because the two vacationed together in July 2023. Costner also said his ex received $20,000 in cash from Connor.
Baumgartner also accused Costner of withholding evidence of his finances. She said this accusation through her lawyer, but the actor denied it on the stand. The designer filed a request that the father of her three kids pay her $175,057 in monthly installments for their three kids.
Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner in West Hollywood, California, on March 27, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
She later reduced the request to $161,592. Costner’s ex made this demand, arguing that luxury was now a part of the kids’ DNA. In August 2023, the court ordered Costner to pay $63,209 in child support per month. Baumgartner had filed a request in June 2023 for $248,000 per month.
After his child support win, Costner opened up about the separation from his wife for the first time. “This is a horrible place to be, but this is where we’re at. It feels so bad. We’re talking about somebody I love on the other side. I just can’t,” he said.
On September 2, 2023, Costner was spotted in public with his youngest son as they relaxed and enjoyed breakfast in Santa Barbara.
The Oscar winner confessed that he still has love for his ex. Costner also clarified a joke he made on the stand. When Baumgartner’s attorney said the actor’s ex believed he wasn’t honest about his wealth, Costner responded, “Oh good, we’ll have to have a treasure hunt to find it.”
Kevin Costner, Christine Baumgartner and Grace Avery Costner, Hayes Logan Costner, and Cayden Wyatt Costner in Hollywood, California on February 9, 2015 | Source: Getty Images
Costner’s statement caused the court to laugh. However, he later said he wasn’t laughing about the divorce proceeding regardless of the joke he made. With the divorce, Costner and Baumgartner will co-parent their three kids.
Costner Had Fears of Becoming a Father Again
Costner is a dad of seven kids. The actor has three kids with his ex-wife, Cindy Silva. The three adult kids are Annie, 39, Lily, 37, and Joe, 35. Costner also has a son, Liam, 26, with his former partner Bridget Rooney.
Grace Avery Costner, Kevin Costner, Hayes Logan Costner, Christine Baumgartner, and Cayden Wyatt Costner in Los Angeles, California, on August 1, 2019 | Source: Getty Images
The “Let Him Go” star was reluctant to marry Baumgartner because she wanted kids. Costner feared he wouldn’t be an effective father, but he overcame this fear because he didn’t want to lose an amazing woman.
Costner decided he wasn’t going to lose on loving Baumgartner, and they got married. When his first child with Baumgartner was born on May 6, 2007, Costner said he hoped he would have as much energy for him as he had for his first child.
Christine Baumgartner and Kevin Costner in Santa Monica, California, on February 27, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
The 68-year-old confessed that his deepest fear was that his life would end prematurely and he wouldn’t be there to raise Cayden. On February 12, 2009, Costner’s second child with Baumgartner, Hayes was born. The couple welcomed their third child, Grace, on June 2, 2010.
Kevin Costner in Los Angeles, California on February 04, 2023 | Source: Getty Images
On September 2, 2023, Costner was spotted in public with his youngest son as they relaxed and enjoyed breakfast in Santa Barbara. This was the first public sighting of the actor since he won a court victory in the child support battle with Baumgartner.
Costner seems determined to be a present and committed father, even with the divorce. He once said one of the roles he has to play in his life is being a father, something he noted he will be rewarded for his whole life.
