The Shocking Aftermath: 5 Major Revelations From Kevin Costner's Billion-Dollar Divorce And Christine's New Marriage
The tumultuous, high-stakes divorce between Hollywood icon Kevin Costner and his second wife, Christine Baumgartner, has finally reached its dramatic conclusion, but the saga continues to unfold with shocking new chapters in late 2025. What began as an 18-year marriage ended in a bitter, four-month legal battle over their vast fortune and three children, revealing the intense financial and emotional complexities of a celebrity separation. The final settlement, which was sealed in early 2024, has been overshadowed by the swift and surprising moves both parties have made since, including a contentious child support ruling and the revelation of new romantic partners.
The most recent and compelling updates, current as of December 2025, paint a vivid picture of two lives moving on at breakneck speed: one partner finding love again with a close friend of the family, and the other navigating a new, casual romance while focusing on his career. This article dives deep into the ultimate fallout, the iron-clad prenuptial agreement, and the surprising new relationships that have emerged from the wreckage of this celebrity marriage.
Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner: A Complete Biography and Divorce Timeline
The relationship between the Oscar-winning actor and the handbag designer was a cornerstone of Hollywood stability for nearly two decades before its sudden and public collapse.
Kevin Costner: The Hollywood Icon
- Full Name: Kevin Michael Costner
- Born: January 18, 1955 (age 70 in 2025) in Lynwood, California.
- Career: American actor, director, producer, and musician.
- Accolades: Two Academy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and one Emmy Award.
- Notable Works: *Dances With Wolves* (Best Director and Best Picture), *The Bodyguard*, *The Untouchables*, *Bull Durham*, *Field of Dreams*, and the hit TV series *Yellowstone* (as John Dutton). His focus in 2025 remains his ambitious Western film saga, *Horizon: An American Saga*.
- First Marriage: Cindy Silva (1978–1994).
Christine Baumgartner: The Designer and Entrepreneur
- Born: April 25, 1974 (age 51 in 2025) in California.
- Career: Former model and successful handbag designer.
- Education: Graduated from California State University, Fullerton.
- Marriage to Costner: Married in 2004 at Costner’s 160-acre ranch in Aspen, Colorado.
- Filing for Divorce: Filed on May 1, 2023, citing "irreconcilable differences."
The Children
Kevin and Christine share three teenage children, who were central to the custody battle:
- Cayden Wyatt Costner (born 2007)
- Hayes Logan Costner (born 2009)
- Grace Avery Costner (born 2010)
Costner also has four children from previous relationships: Annie, Lily, Joe, and Liam. The final settlement granted Kevin and Christine joint custody of their three shared children.
The Iron-Clad Prenuptial Agreement and the $63k Child Support Ruling
The foundation of the divorce proceedings was the prenuptial agreement (PNA) signed by Costner and Baumgartner in 2004. This legal document proved to be the most critical factor in the swift resolution of the financial aspects of the split, despite Christine’s attempts to challenge its terms. The PNA was designed to protect Costner's estimated $250 million fortune, amassed over a decades-long career as a leading man and filmmaker.
The Prenup's Strict Terms
The prenuptial agreement contained several stringent clauses that became the initial flashpoints of the contentious separation.
- Spousal Support Waiver: The agreement included a clear waiver of spousal support, meaning Christine was not entitled to ongoing alimony payments.
- The Exit Clause: One of the most discussed clauses required Christine to vacate the family's $145 million oceanfront compound in Carpinteria, California, within 30 days of filing for divorce. Her initial refusal to leave led to the first major legal skirmish.
- The Payout: The PNA stipulated that Christine would receive a $1 million payout upon divorce, in addition to $200,000 to cover moving costs and help purchase a new residence. Costner ultimately paid over $300,000 towards her transitional expenses.
The Battle Over Child Support
While the PNA resolved spousal support, the issue of child support became a highly publicized court battle. Christine initially requested a staggering $248,000 per month, claiming this was necessary to maintain the children's lifestyle, which included private jets, multiple homes, and luxury vacations.
The court, however, sided with Kevin Costner's financial assessment. In a decisive ruling in September, a judge set the monthly child support payments at $63,209. This figure, which matched Costner's proposed amount, was a significant reduction from Christine’s demand, marking a clear victory for the actor in the financial proceedings. The judge’s order focused on the actual needs of the children, Cayden, Hayes, and Grace, rather than the total gross income of their father.
The Shocking New Chapters: Christine's Remarriage and Kevin's New Romance
The most compelling and recent updates, which have captured global media attention in late 2025, revolve around the new romantic lives of both Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner. The speed and nature of these new relationships have surprised many observers.
Christine Baumgartner Marries Josh Connor
In a twist that sent shockwaves through Hollywood, Christine Baumgartner remarried in October 2025. Her new husband is financier Josh Connor, a close friend and neighbor of both Kevin and Christine from their time in Santa Barbara. The relationship began to surface shortly after her separation from Costner, with the couple being seen together on vacation and at various social events. Connor reportedly popped the question in January 2025, just under a year after the divorce was finalized in February 2024. This rapid transition from divorce to remarriage has been a central point of discussion, highlighting Christine's determination to quickly build a new life for herself and her children.
Kevin Costner Moves On Casually with Kelly Noonan Gores
While Christine has fully committed to a new marriage, Kevin Costner has also begun to explore a new chapter in his personal life. As of late 2025, the 70-year-old actor is reportedly "casually" dating director and filmmaker Kelly Noonan Gores, 46. The two, who share a 24-year age gap, reportedly met through mutual friends in the entertainment industry. Sources close to the actor indicate that while the relationship is not as serious as Christine’s remarriage, Costner is enjoying the new connection. This new romance follows a period where Costner admitted to feeling "broken" and devastated by Christine's initial divorce filing, which he reportedly did not see coming. His focus remains heavily on the production and release of his highly anticipated *Horizon* film series, which is set to be a multi-part cinematic event.
Topical Authority: The Impact on Costner's Career and Legacy
The divorce proceedings coincided with a critical juncture in Kevin Costner's professional life, intertwining his personal drama with his professional legacy. The financial and emotional toll of the separation, including the cost of litigation and the massive child support payments, occurred while he was deeply invested in his passion project, *Horizon*. This epic Western is a significant financial undertaking for Costner, who reportedly mortgaged a portion of his own $145 million property to fund the production.
Furthermore, the divorce timeline ran parallel to his controversial departure from the highly successful Paramount+ series, *Yellowstone*. While the official reasons for his exit were scheduling conflicts related to *Horizon*, the intense personal turmoil undoubtedly played a role in the end of his tenure as the beloved patriarch, John Dutton. The final settlement and the resolution of the child support case allow Costner to now fully dedicate his attention to his filmmaking, providing a clear path forward for his career and his ambitious creative vision.
The Costner-Baumgartner divorce, now fully settled with both parties moving on to new relationships, serves as a powerful case study in modern celebrity divorce. It underscores the absolute necessity of a prenuptial agreement, the complexity of child support calculations for high-net-worth individuals, and the intense public scrutiny that follows two people attempting to rebuild their lives after 18 years together.
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