In a saga that has captivated Hollywood and beyond, Kevin Costner, the iconic Yellowstone star, has finally spoken out about the emotional toll of his contentious 2023 divorce from Christine Baumgartner, his wife of 18 years. The split, finalized in February 2024, was marked by bitter disputes over finances, child support, and Baumgartner’s rapid romantic involvement with Costner’s former friend, Josh Connor. Reports of Costner’s lingering pain surfaced in late 2024, with sources claiming he declared, “I’ll never forget” the betrayal he felt when Baumgartner moved on with Connor, a financier and once-close pal. As Baumgartner prepares for her wedding to Connor in 2025, Costner’s reflections, coupled with his efforts to rebuild his life, have sparked widespread discussion on platforms like X and in entertainment media. This article delves into the details of their tumultuous split, Costner’s response to the betrayal, and the public’s reaction to a Hollywood breakup that continues to resonate.
A Marriage Unraveled
Kevin Costner, 70, and Christine Baumgartner, 51, began their relationship in the late 1990s, marrying in a lavish Western-themed ceremony at Costner’s Dunbar Ranch in Aspen, Colorado, in September 2004. The couple, who share three children—Cayden Wyatt, 18, Hayes Logan, 16, and Grace Avery, 15—appeared to embody a Hollywood fairy tale. Costner, an Oscar-winning actor and director known for Dances with Wolves and The Bodyguard, brought star power, while Baumgartner, a handbag designer, added warmth to their family life in Santa Barbara, California. However, beneath the surface, tensions brewed, particularly over Costner’s demanding Yellowstone filming schedule in Utah and Montana, which kept him away from home for extended periods.
Baumgartner filed for divorce on May 1, 2023, citing irreconcilable differences, with April 11 listed as their date of separation. The filing blindsided Costner, who learned of it through legal documents rather than directly from his wife. According to Us Weekly, Baumgartner was frustrated by Yellowstone’s production delays, which disrupted family life, a sentiment echoed by a source who noted, “Christine wasn’t happy with Yellowstone’s schedule because it caused him to miss so much time with his family.” The divorce quickly escalated into a public battle, with Baumgartner initially requesting $248,000 a month in child support, a figure Costner’s legal team contested, citing their prenuptial agreement. After months of contentious hearings, a judge ordered Costner to pay $63,209 monthly, a victory for the actor, though Baumgartner also received a $1.5 million settlement as per the prenup.
The Sting of Betrayal
The divorce’s most painful chapter emerged when Baumgartner began dating Josh Connor, a financier and divorced father of three who had been a friend of the couple. Their relationship, which reportedly began as a friendship, raised eyebrows during a July 2023 Hawaii trip that Baumgartner claimed was platonic. Costner, however, suspected otherwise, with a source telling Us Weekly in January 2024, “Kevin had strong suspicions that something was going on between Christine and Josh.” The confirmation of their romance, followed by Connor’s proposal to Baumgartner in January 2025 on a Santa Barbara beach, left Costner reeling. A source told Daily Mail, “Kevin said he felt sucker-punched when his kids told him about the marriage proposal. He would have preferred to have heard it straight from Christine, but either way, it still feels like betrayal even after all this time.”
Costner’s pain was compounded by Connor’s status as a former friend. “Christine threw him under the bus, hooked up with his now former friend and tried to take his house and take him to the cleaners,” an insider told Life & Style. “A guy doesn’t forget stuff like that.” The sense of betrayal was palpable, with Costner reportedly declaring, “I’ll never forget,” a sentiment reflecting his lingering anger and hurt. The couple’s mutual friends have taken sides, with many aligning with Costner. A source told Daily Mail, “Kevin’s true friends immediately cut off Christine and Josh and would never attend their wedding, even if invited.” Baumgartner’s upcoming wedding to Connor, planned as an intimate Hawaiian ceremony, has further highlighted the divide, with insiders describing it as a “bittersweet” moment for Costner.
Costner’s Response: Art and Rebound
In the wake of the divorce, Costner has channeled his emotions into his work, particularly his ambitious Western saga, Horizon: An American Saga. The project, which he co-wrote, directed, and starred in, faced financial setbacks, with the first chapter underperforming at the box office in June 2024. During this period, Costner admitted to feeling “broken,” telling Daily Mail, “I was working on Horizon at the time of my divorce… It was very serious stuff.” He’s also turned to music, reportedly crafting songs to express his side of the story. “He takes his songwriting very seriously, and he’s got a lot of things to get off his chest,” a source revealed, suggesting the betrayal will be a central theme.
Romantically, Costner has sought to rebuild his confidence. After a brief fling with singer Jewel in late 2023, which ended by summer 2024, he’s embraced a “wild” single life. Daily Mail reported sightings of Costner at Raspoutine nightclub in West Hollywood in May 2025, where he was seen “cozying up” to a mystery woman, chatting for nearly an hour and buying her drinks. A source told Life & Style, “He’s been on several dates with women who are trusted and vetted by friends and is having some good rebound fun.” Costner’s Instagram posts, showcasing events like the Santa Barbara International Film Festival and the Super Bowl, reflect his efforts to embrace singlehood, with insiders noting he’s “loving every second” of playing the field.
His children have been a pillar of support, particularly his seven offspring from three relationships, including Cayden, Hayes, and Grace with Baumgartner. A source told OK! Magazine, “Kevin’s kids are keeping his spirits up through the loneliness of the holidays and everything else he’s had to deal with.” This support has been crucial as Costner navigates his post-divorce life, with insiders noting his commitment to staying fit through swimming, surfing, and a low-carb diet to maintain his “sexy spark.”
Public and Fan Reactions
The public response to Costner’s ordeal has been mixed, with fans on X expressing sympathy and frustration. One user, @WesternFanatic, posted, “Kevin Costner didn’t deserve this. Christine moving on with his friend so fast is cold.” Others criticized Baumgartner’s actions, with @MovieBuff22 writing, “She took him to court for millions and now she’s engaged to his pal? That’s a low blow.” However, some defended Baumgartner, with @SantaBarbaraMom noting, “Christine deserves happiness too. Kevin was barely home—let her move on.” These sentiments reflect the polarized views, with Costner’s loyal fanbase rallying behind him while others see Baumgartner’s new chapter as a natural progression.
Media coverage has amplified the drama, with outlets like RadarOnline and Daily Mail framing Costner as a man “sucker-punched” by betrayal. Baumgartner’s engagement, marked by a five-carat emerald-cut diamond ring symbolizing “clarity, strength, and a transparent relationship,” has been portrayed as a fresh start, with sources describing her as “blissfully happy” with Connor. Her low-profile life in Montecito, where she’s often seen on school runs, contrasts with Costner’s high-energy Hollywood comeback, highlighting their divergent paths.
A Frosty Reunion and Moving Forward
The former couple’s first public sighting since the divorce came at their son’s high school graduation in Santa Barbara in June 2025, where they avoided interaction, underscoring the lingering tension. National Enquirer reported, “The tension between Kevin and Christine was awful. They wouldn’t even look at each other.” Costner’s refusal to retire, expressed during a People interview where he said, “I don’t even think about retiring, because I’ll just move to the next thing that captures my imagination,” signals his determination to move forward.
As Baumgartner prepares for her Hawaiian wedding, Costner’s focus remains on his career and children. His declaration, “I’ll never forget,” encapsulates the raw emotion of a man navigating betrayal while reclaiming his spark. For fans, the saga is a reminder of the personal costs of fame, with Costner’s resilience shining through. Whether through music, film, or new romance, the Yellowstone star is proving that even after a brutal split, he’s far from down and out.
