'I never wanted this to happen again': Kevin Costner bares his soul in four-page divorce declaration
CARPINTERIA, CALIFORNIA: Kevin Costner provided an insight as to why he desperately wants his estranged wife, Christine Baumgartner, to leave his luxurious California mansion in a copy of his divorce declaration, RadarOnline has reported. In a court filing, Costner said that Baumgartner was refusing to move out of his home amid their bitter separation.
“I, Kevin Costner, hereby declare as follows," the four-page document starts before the 'Yellowstone' actor provides a glimpse into his private life, detailing his apprehension of losing his home. Baumgartner, who shares three children with Costner, Cayden, 16; Hayes, 14; and Grace, 13, filed for divorce on May 1, after 18 years of marriage citing irreconcilable differences.
The Premarital Agreement (PMA) that his wife signed 11 days before their wedding on September 25, 2004, set down the rules of engagement if they were to ever face off in a divorce court. “I have been working as an actor, producer, and film director since 1978 and have received various accolades for my accomplishments in these fields,” The Oscar-winning actor wrote in the filing before lashing out at Baumgartner.
'I funded both of her failed business endeavors'
“Christine is 49 years old and was a handbag designer and entrepreneur, she started a company called Coda Bands,” Costner's filing reads, adding, “I funded both of her failed business endeavors before and during the marriage.”
The 68-year-old actor explained he desperately wanted a Santa Barbara County divorce court judge to make Baumgartner leave his $145M beachfront home in Carpinteria. “Adjacent to the Residence is a separate residence that I use exclusively for business purposes (film editing) and which I will be working at this year in connection with a new film project I recently completed filming that I am producing,” he said, mentioning that he owned both the properties before marrying her.
According to the prenup agreement, Baumgartner is supposed to “vacate any family residential property owned solely by me [Costner]," but she remains in the home. “Christine has not moved out, despite multiple requests that she do so and despite Kevin’s offers to assist her financially in relocating to a new residence,” Costner’s legal team wrote in the documents, adding, “Instead, Christine has taken the position that she will not move out of Kevin’s separate property residence unless and until Kevin agrees to various financial demands.”
Kevin Costner wants to avoid a Cindy Silva situation
Costner opened up about the trauma he suffered during his separation from his first wife, Cindy Silva, in 1996, where he was expelled from his home and eventually paid an astounding $80M in the settlement. “I was married once before and, upon separation, I found myself without a home base and unable to live in my own home,” he said, adding, "I never wanted this to happen again. Because of the nature of my work, I am frequently out of town; it is therefore particularly important to me that when I am home, I have a home to go to.”
“I made it clear to her that I would not marry again without clarity that my separate property residences would remain mine to live in no matter what happened I our marriage,” Costner noted, adding, “Christine acknowledged to me at the time that she understood the importance of this to me and she agreed to this provision (of the PMA.)."
Since the divorce, Costner has provided Baumgartner support, which included $1M per the prenup and an extra $200,000 during the early years of their marriage.