Who Is Kevin Costner's Neighbor Whom His Ex-wife Started Dating after the Divorce?

Posted by Carisa Kissane on Saturday, May 18, 2024
  • Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner went through a divorce in 2023 after an 18-year marriage.
  • Despite post-divorce child support disputes, Christine found new love with financier Josh Connor.
  • Kevin, reportedly in a new relationship with Jewel, was seen on a Caribbean trip. Both Kevin and Christine have moved on, embracing new chapters.

Christine Baumgartner and Kevin Costner at the 94th Annual Academy Awards in Hollywood, California on March 27, 2022. | Source: Getty Images

Actor Kevin Costner has been married twice. The movie star's 16-year marriage to his first wife, Cindy Silva, ended in divorce in 1994. The pair share three kids: Annie, Lily, and Joe. Kevin also welcomed his son, Liam, when he was in a relationship with Bridget Rooney.

Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner at the premiere of "The Art Of Racing In The Rain" in Los Angeles, California on August 1, 2019. | Source: Getty Images

In September 2004, following his divorce from Cindy, Kevin married for the second time. He tied the knot with Christine Baumgartner, whom he'd been dating since 2003. Unfortunately, the two divorced after 18 years of marriage.

Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills, California, on March 27, 2022. | Source: Getty Images

When Kevin and Christine got together, the designer was upfront with him about wanting kids. Later, the actor told Christine that if they were ever going to have children, it would have to be later in life for him. Kevin was hesitant to have more kids.

However, one day, he changed his mind when he couldn't bear the thought of losing Christine because of his fears. So, on May 6, 2007, Kevin became a dad again at 52 when Christine gave birth to their son, Cayden Wyatt Costner, in Los Angeles.

Kevin Costner, Christine Baumgartner, Grace Every, Hayes Logan, and Cayden Wyatt at the premiere of "The Art Of Racing In The Rain" in Los Angeles, California on August 1, 2019. | Source: Getty Images

Kevin had nothing but praise for the designer during their marriage. He gushed that his wife did many things to improve his life. "The house is prettier because of her. Everything is warmer because of her. There's these little things that she does and I think it's the power of love, but that she makes her home that way," he revealed.

Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner at the "Yellowstone" Season 2 premiere party in Los Angeles, California, on May 30, 2019. | Source: Getty Images

During the pandemic, Kevin Costner pointed out that his partnership with Christine came into focus as they learned what they do for each other and how they deal with family. The couple welcomed two more kids in their union, Hayes Logan Costner, born on February 12, 2009, and Grace Every Costner, born on June 2, 2010.

Christine Baumgartner and Kevin Costner at the "Hidden Figures" New York special screening on December 10, 2016. | Source: Getty Images

Kevin and Christine's marriage ended in May 2023 when the designer filed for divorce after the two had been separated for a month. The actor's representative released a statement saying circumstances beyond Kevin's control had transpired, forcing him to engage in the dissolution of his marriage.

After their split, Kevin was paying $129,000 per month in child support, but Christine filed documents in court to have the amount increased to $175,057. As per the court documents, the requested amount would not be enough to replicate Kevin's lifestyle, but it will be adequate to allow Christine and their kids a relatively comparable lifestyle.

Kevin Costner, Christine Baumgartner, Grace Avery, Hayes Logan, and Cayden Wyatt Costner at the world premiere of Disney's "McFarland, USA" in Hollywood, California on February 9, 2015. | Source: Getty Images

The court eventually asked Kevin to pay $63,000 in child support, denying Christine's request and slashing the amount she originally received before filing court documents. In September 2023, the couple's divorce was finalized after they reached a settlement agreement.

After the divorce, Christine has moved on and is in a relationship with Josh Connor. Josh, a father of three, became legally single on January 3, 2023, five months before the designer filed for divorce from Kevin.

Christine Baumgartner is seen in Santa Barbara, California on May 4, 2023 | Source: Getty Images

Josh is a financier. He is also the founding partner of Connor Capital, an investment firm. Josh also holds a management position at Oaktree Capital Management, a firm specializing in alternative investment strategies. He also holds a B.A. in Economics from Williams College and has held other lucrative positions.

Christine Baumgartner at the Omnipeace 2nd Annual Gala "Rwanda Rocks" charity event in Los Angeles, California, on November 4, 2019. | Source: Getty Images

A source informed the Daily Mail that Josh and Christine met through their daughters, who are close friends and hang out often. They were also neighbors to the actor and his ex-wife.

Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner at the world premiere of "McFarland, USA" in Santa Barbara, California on February 7, 2015. | Source: Getty Images

After filing for divorce, Josh and Christine were photographed on vacation at a villa in Hualalai, Hawaii, in July 2023. The pair took a beach stroll as they talked and laughed. They were seen with Christine's daughter Grace and Josh's Abigail.

In an evidentiary hearing in court on August 2023, Kevin accused Christine Baumgartner of having a boyfriend, but she denied the allegations. The designer clarified that she and Josh were just good friends. While in Hawaii, she reportedly shared a room with a female friend.

Still, she admitted that Josh funded the vacation and loaned her $20,000. Christine gave her mom $10,000 and returned the rest to Josh. Kevin's divorce documents also mentioned that he lacked concrete evidence regarding Christine's engagement in any romantic relationships outside of their marriage before their separation. However, Kevin was sure he engaged in no affair or had other romance outside of his marriage to Christine.

Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner at the AARP 14th Annual "Movies For Grownups" Awards Gala in Beverly Hills, California, on February 2, 2015. | Source: Getty Images

After this evidentiary hearing, where Christine, under oath, denied that she was dating Josh, the two kept their relationship under wraps until the divorce was finalized. In December 2023, sources told the Daily Mail that Christine and Josh flew to Hawaii in a private jet at Christmastime.

Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner at the premiere of "Black or White" in Los Angeles, California, on January 20, 2015. | Source: Getty Images

During this time, Kevin was reportedly in Aspen with their kids. The two also made a trip to New York together and have now done little to hide their relationship from friends. In January 2024, Christine and Josh were seen popping in and out of each other's house despite both having kids with them.

On January 12, 2024, Christine was seen dropping Josh at his home in Montecito, five minutes from hers. The financier wore a black cap, sweater, and blue jeans and had an overnight bag with him. On the same day, Josh briefly visited Christine's home and reportedly let himself in with his own door clicker.

Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner at the 20th Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards in Los Angeles, California, on January 15, 2015. | Source: Getty Images

A source told People that Josh and Christine were only friends at the beginning. The source, a friend of Josh, noted that the designer likes hanging out with the financier. As a divorced dad, he understood what Christine was going through. The couple also love the ocean and beach life, which makes the designer happy.

Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner at the 21st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles, California, on January 25, 2015. | Source: Getty Images

Another insider stated that Christine and Josh's strong friendship has evolved into a relationship. The two are in the same place in their lives and having lots of fun, so their romance is expected to blossom.

Kevin has also reportedly moved on, as per sources. An insider told TMZ that Kevin is in a "rather new" relationship with Jewel. Jewel is considered picky but wants a good man, and Kevin fits her needs.

In December 2023, Kevin and Jewel were photographed on Richard Branson's Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands. The two were participating in a tennis fundraiser for the Inspiring Children Foundation. Jewel is the organization's founder, and Kevin attended as a guest.

Jewel even shared a post on Instagram and mentioned Kevin, saying he was kind enough to mentor the kids that year. "It's an incredible time, and one I use to relax, rest and play w my son!" she wrote.

A source revealed that the pair flew to and from the Caribbean together and chilled for over a week. The two were flirting with each other, and when they were together, they lit up, making the source suspect something was happening between them. "You could tell they were trying to be discreet, but anybody who saw them could tell something was going on," said a source.

Christine Baumgartner and Kevin Costner at the 28th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards in Santa Monica, California, on February 27, 2022. | Source: Getty Images

Kevin and Christine went through a tough divorce after close to 20 years of marriage. The two have parted ways but are linked by their three children. They have both moved on and look happy and in love with their new partners.

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