Hollywood actor Kevin Costner and his wife Christine Baumgartner have parted ways after 18 years of marriage. According to TMZ, the actor’s estranged wife filed for divorce on Monday.
According to the documents obtained by the media outlet, Baumgartner who is a model and handbag designer cited the usual “irreconcilable differences” as the cause of their separation.
For those of you who are unaware, let us share with you, the Yellowstone actor and his model wife got married in the year 2004. The pair shares three children: sons Cayden and Hayes and daughter Grace.
When and how did the love story of Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner begin? Read on to dive deep into the relationship timeline of the couple who is getting divorced after 18 years of marriage.
1980s: Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner meet
As per People magazine, the American actor and Christine met each other for the first time on a golf course where Kevin was rehearsing for his 1996 romantic comedy film Tin Cup. At that time, he was married to his first wife Cindy Silva. The exes who got divorced in 1994 share 3 kids: daughters Lily and Annie and son Joe.
While having a chat with Hollywood Reporter in 2012, Kevin mentioned that his approach to his love life changed after his divorce. He said, “My faith was shaken. No one wants their marriage to end, and it did. You are going to see the people you love most, your children, only half as much. That’s a huge loss.”
After Costner and Cindy got divorced in 1994, he moved on and briefly dated Bridget Rooney. The two of them welcomed a son together. Soon after, he and Rooney called it quits. Then, he was also romantically linked to political activist Birgit Cunningham and supermodel Elle Macpherson.
1999: Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner reunite
It has been reported by the media outlet that Baumgartner and Kevin crossed paths again at a restaurant and they started dating shortly afterward. During a 2003 interview with People magazine, he spilled the beans on their love story.
At that point, the For Love of the Game star said, “We exchanged numbers, and I told her that I would — did she mind if I called her in two weeks. I did not realize that was like an insult to a woman.”
2003: Christine Baumgartner and Kevin Costner almost break up
Christine and Kevin have an age difference of a total of 20 years. She was always upfront with the actor about starting a family. In an interview with Extra, he disclosed that she talked about the same on day one of their relationship.
The Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves actor told the publication, “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 couple dated for almost six years before Christine gave Kevin the final ultimatum. Costner further added, “Finally, there came a moment where, maybe this doesn’t go forward.” Then, he decided that he was not going to lose her at any cost.
In a June 2018 interview with Closer Weekly, the Let Him Go star talked about his concerns about marrying Christine. He said, “Fear kept me from marrying Christine. [She] wanted a child, but I was afraid I couldn’t be an effective father.”
Kevin went on to say, “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.”
2004: Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner get married
Kevin and Baumgartner walked down the aisle in the year 2004. The pair’s extravagant wedding was one for the books. Their wedding took place on Costner’s 160-acre ranch, The Dunbar, in Aspen.
Then, People magazine reported that on the wedding day, the Oscar winner came to the ceremony in a horse-drawn carriage. On the other hand, his ladylove Christine arrived in a green vintage truck.
Let us share an interesting fact with all of you, the Dunbar which has been named after Costner’s character in the 1990s movie Dances with Wolves is still owned by Kevin.
2007: Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner welcome first child together
Nearly 3 years after getting married, Costner and Christine’s first child together, son Cayden Wyatt joined them earthside, in the year 2007. At the moment, their son is 15 years old.
2009: Christine Baumgartner gives birth to their second baby
The pair welcomed their second child together, son Hayes Logan in 2009.
2010: Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner welcome baby No.3
Their third baby, daughter Grace Avery came into the world in the year 2010. Christine and the couple’s three kids accompanied Kevin to The Art of Racing in the Rain premiere in 2019.
In an interview, the Hey Man What About You singer stated that his family has made him appreciate his life more. Then, he said, “Movies are magic, and they’ve always been magic to me. You get to play heroes in the movies, but there’s a moment in time where you’re just a father and you get to go home.”
Costner continued, “I have played two roles in my life, one I get paid to do, which is the movies, and the other one is being a father, for which I’ll be rewarded my whole life.”
May 2023: Christine Baumgartner files for divorce from Kevin Costner
After being together for around 18 years, Kevin and Christine have pulled the plug on their romance. Baumgartner filed for divorce from her actor husband on Monday, May 1, 2023. She is asking the court for the joint custody of their kids.
In a statement shared with the media, Kevin’s rep 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, Christine’s, and their children’s privacy be respected as they navigate this difficult time.”
We hope that Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner carry on with their lives peacefully and co-parent their three kids. Don’t forget to stay tuned with us for the latest updates from the world of showbiz.