It’s officially the end of a major chapter for Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner, who recently finalized their divorce. The case is complete, according to the state of California, and the former duo is now considered two single people after 18 years of marriage.
The court documents, obtained by TMZ, show that the negotiations and settlement took nine months to work out after Baumgartner first filed for divorce in May 2023. Other than the Yellowstone star’s child support payments for their three children, Cayden, 16, Hayes, 14, and Grace, 13, the rest of the details surrounding the divorce are private. Costner is paying $63,209 per month to Baumgartner after a drawn-out court battle last summer. They also agreed to waive co-parenting classes which are normally a requirement of the state.
Costner has moved on in his personal life with singer Jewel, whom he’s grown close to since they were first spotted cozying up together on a charity trip to Richard Branson’s Necker Island last fall. The 69-year-old actor reportedly feels “happier” and “lighter” with the 49-year-old musician in his life, according to an In Touch source. “He’s making as much time as he can for Jewel because she’s been such a breath of fresh air,” they added while suggesting that an engagement could be on the horizon. “He doesn’t want her to slip through his fingers.”
Baumgartner has also found love with Josh Connor, who just happens to be her and Costner’s former neighbor. The Dances With Wolves star reportedly “had strong suspicions that something was going on between Christine and Josh” with an Us Weekly source describing their “close bond” as “a real elephant in the room.” The former purse designer was seen vacationing with Connor in Hawaii over the summer, but a second source claimed their friendship turned romantic “relatively recently.”
“Christine doesn’t think Kevin has anything to complain about,” Baumgartner’s pal added. “Josh has been Christine’s rock throughout the divorce ordeal. If Kevin has a problem with that, that’s on him.” The good news is that Costner and Baumgartner only have to co-parent amicably moving forward, their marital ties are officially severed, and that chapter of their lives is closed.