Kevin Costner And Christine Baumgartner: A Tale Of Love, Ultimatums, And Divorce

Yellowstone star Kevin Costner's wife has filed for divorce from the Oscar winner after 18 years of marriage, but their split is not the first turmoil they’ve experienced. In fact, she gave him an ultimatum before they even married in 2004.

Costner's estranged wife is Christine Baumgartner, but don't go searching for her on social media. Just because the former professional model is private doesn't mean she's meek, however. Their relationship has been a rollercoaster ride marked by love, challenges, and public scrutiny.

Baumgartner was Costner's second wife. He was previously married to Cindy Costner, but they divorced in 1994. He brought four kids into the new relationship, including three with Cindy and one with ex-girlfriend Bridget Rooney, whom he dated before striking a romance with the now 49-year-old Baumgarter. The issue of children is what nearly broke them before they even wed.

Table of Contents

• Biography of Kevin Costner
• Marriage to Christine Baumgartner
• Christine Baumgartner's Business Ventures
• Rumors and Divorce Filing
• Aftermath and Future Plans

Biography of Kevin Costner

Kevin Costner is a renowned actor, producer, and director born on January 18, 1955. He has received multiple accolades, including Academy Awards and Golden Globe Awards. He is best known for his roles in films such as Dances with Wolves, The Bodyguard, and, more recently, as John Dutton in the hit series Yellowstone.

Costner's career spans decades, making him one of the most recognizable faces in Hollywood. His ability to blend serious drama with blockbuster hits has earned him a loyal fanbase. Despite his fame, he has maintained a relatively private life, especially regarding his family.

Marriage to Christine Baumgartner

The couple met years before dating in the late 1990s and went public around 2000, when she was about 25 and he was around 45. In 2003, they broke up—she wanted kids of her own, and he was pretty content. Spoiler alert: She won that argument, but not by staying patient.

According to Costner, Baumgartner issued him an ultimatum. "She said, 'I'm going to wait for you, but not long. When you come to your senses, come back to me,'" he shared in a 2012 interview. Fast forward to 2023, and the couple has had three kids together: sons Cayden and Hayes, born in 2007 and 2009, respectively, and daughter Grace, born in 2010.

Christine Baumgartner's Business Ventures

Professionally, Baumgartner moved on from modeling to become a successful businesswoman and entrepreneur. Around the time of her marriage to Costner, she began Cat Bag Couture, a company that designed luxury purses, handbags, and laptop cases. In a 2005 interview, she mentioned that Costner helped her get the business off the ground.

The company, which stands for Christine and Tamara (her friend), was a passion project that allowed her to merge her creativity with entrepreneurship. Although the company's website is no longer active, it marked a significant transition in Baumgartner's professional life.

Rumors and Divorce Filing

Rumors have swirled around the state of the couple's marriage over the last year, with celebrity gossip sites reporting that Baumgartner had given Costner another ultimatum—this time, regarding his extensive shooting schedule on Yellowstone, which she reportedly asked him to quit to spend more time with family. Those rumors appeared confirmed on May 2, when TMZ reported that Baumgartner had filed for divorce from Costner, citing "irreconcilable differences."

A representative for Costner confirmed the split, stating that circumstances beyond his control led to the dissolution of marriage action. Both parties are seeking joint custody, and a prenuptial agreement is reportedly in place.

Aftermath and Future Plans

Since the filing, Costner has been involved in a public showdown with the producers of Yellowstone. He has struggled to come to an agreement regarding his shooting schedule for the second half of Season 5 due to a conflict with another project called Horizon. According to multiple reports, there have been discussions about potentially killing off his character, John Dutton.

Sources indicate that Costner's character is expected to die in the first few episodes after the show returns from its current hiatus, with the rest of the season exploring the repercussions of his death. The future of Yellowstone may continue for one more season without him, revealing how the show evolves without its leading man.