Kevin Costner Calls His Divorce from Christine Baumgartner a ‘Crushing Moment’
Kevin Costner has opened up about the emotional toll of his divorce from Christine Baumgartner, describing it as a “crushing moment.” The “Yellowstone” star, 69, shared his feelings during an interview on “CBS Mornings,” revealing the profound impact the split had on him after 18 years of marriage.
“That’s a crushing moment,” Costner said. “It’s powerful and it hurt.” Despite the pain, Costner emphasized the importance of moving forward, especially for the sake of his children. “I have no choice. My children are looking at me, so I can’t wilt like a daisy,” he added. “I have to go forward, I have to continue to be who I am and keep a special eye on who they are.”
Costner and Baumgartner, 50, share three children: Cayden Wyatt, 17, Hayes Logan, 15, and Grace Avery, 14. The couple’s divorce proceedings were marked by a contentious battle over child support payments. Baumgartner argued that their children were accustomed to a lavish lifestyle, including private planes and luxurious vacations, and therefore requested higher child support payments from Costner.
Ultimately, a judge ruled that Costner was responsible for paying $63,209 per month in child support, significantly less than what Baumgartner had sought. The ex-couple also disputed spousal support and the terms of their prenuptial agreement before finally settling their divorce in September 2023. The divorce was officially finalized in February 2024.
The exact details of the settlement remain undisclosed, but Baumgartner was ordered to pay Costner over $1 million in attorney’s fees for challenging their prenuptial agreement. Costner has been candid about the emotional strain the divorce placed on him. In May, he told GQ that he felt “broken” but was determined to persevere, especially given his professional commitments.
“No matter how much my heart’s on the ground, no matter how broken I may be on a daily basis … I do have a level of responsibility [to those involved in these projects],” he said.
Costner’s commitment to his children and his work has been evident. He made a red carpet appearance at the Cannes Film Festival with five of his children for the premiere of his new film, “Horizon: An American Saga,” in which two of his sons are cast. His son Hayes, 15, makes his acting debut in the film, and Costner expressed his joy at having his son close during the project.
“He trapped me,” Hayes joked at the premiere. “I got to spend the whole day with him every day and just see him work. I just had such a blast. It was amazing.” Costner responded, “I did. I figured out how to have him close. He’s never going to look this young, he’s never going to look this sweet and handsome. He’s just going to grow into a young man and he’s really good in the film.”
Despite the challenges, Costner remains open to finding love again. He recently denied rumors of a romance with singer Jewel, stating that he is looking for a relationship that enhances his life rather than hinders it. “A person wants to be loved, and they want to be, you know, feel like they’re at their very best. And that love helps that and doesn’t hinder it,” he told Fox News Digital.
Baumgartner, on the other hand, has moved on with her boyfriend Josh Connor, who was reportedly once a good friend of Costner’s. The couple’s split began with a bitter tone, with Baumgartner taking Costner to court over child support and the validity of their prenuptial agreement. Initially, Baumgartner requested $248,000 in monthly child support for their three children. A judge temporarily set the amount at $129,755 per month in July, only to later rule that Costner would be responsible for $63,209 per month.
In the final judgment, Baumgartner was awarded $12,642 monthly child support for Cayden, $18,962 for Hayes, and $31,605 for Grace, to be paid on the first of each month. Costner is also solely responsible for the children’s health care, private school tuition, extracurricular activities, and their oldest son’s car expenses.
Reflecting on the divorce, Costner told Fox News Digital, “You know, when you have a life that long with somebody, there is no winner… and it’s this big, crazy thing called life and how it unravels so quickly. One minute you feel like you’re on top of the world, and then you realize how… vulnerable you are.”
Despite the emotional turmoil, Costner remains focused on his children and his career. His new movie, “Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 1,” is set to be released on June 28, with Chapter 2 following on August 16. As he navigates life post-divorce, Costner continues to prioritize his role as a father and his professional endeavors, embodying resilience and determination.
Source: CBS Mornings, GQ, Fox News Digital, PEOPLE
