Kevin Costner's wife Christine Baumgartner files for divorce, fans say 'never saw this coming'
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Kevin Costner is dealing with extra domestic strife as the story surrounding his alleged altercation with 'Yellowstone' creator Taylor Sheridan keeps developing. After 18 years of marriage, Christine Baumgartner, who married Costner in 2004, filed for divorce on Monday, May 1.
The 68-year-old 'Yellowstone' actor has three children with his estranged second wife. Baumgartner, 49, has requested joint custody of their three children: Cayden Wyatt, 15; Hayes Logan, 14; and Grace Avery, 12. However, because there is a prenuptial agreement in place, per TMZ, she did not request spousal support.
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'Irreconcilable differences'
Although it is claimed that the split was due to "irreconcilable differences", it is unclear what caused the separation. The actor's representative issued the following statement: "It is with great sadness that circumstances beyond his control have transpired which have resulted in Mr Costner having to participate in a dissolution of marriage action." The representative added, "We ask that his, Christine's, and their children's privacy be respected as they navigate this difficult time."
Inside Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner's relationship
The 'Yellowstone' actor and Baumgartner started dating in 1999, not long after Costner and Bridget Rooney split up. Following a brief separation in 2003, the handbag designer and Costner reconciled the following year and got married in Aspen, Colorado, in September 2004. They had two sons: Hayes was born in February 2009, and Cayden, their eldest son, was born in May 2007. The couple welcomed their daughter, Grace, the following year.
Costner previously wed Cindy Silva from 1978 until 1994, and the couple had three children together: Joe, 35, Annie, 39, and Lily, 36. After his divorce from Silva, Costner dated Rooney, with whom he has a son, Liam Costner, 27.
Baumgartner is rumored to have given Costner an ultimatum: the family or the show. Costner admitted that he had a thought that "maybe this doesn't go forward" before deciding that "I'm not going to lose her because I'm afraid." Speaking to People about their relationship during the pandemic, the 'Field of Dreams' star gushed about his wife, saying, "Our partnership has really come into focus about what we do for each other and how we deal with our family."
Does John Dutton play any role in this divorce?
The news of the divorce was announced a few weeks after Daily Mail published new details on Costner's conflict with 'Yellowstone' creator Taylor Sheridan. According to sources, Sheridan acquired a "God complex," which caused Costner to apparently become frustrated with the progress of the Paramount Network series. Due to Costner's conflict with Sheridan, the show that "reinvigorated" his career and earned him a Golden Globe for his performance as John Dutton was canceled after five seasons.
An insider stated of Costner, "Kevin will forever be proud of and grateful for Yellowstone and the cast is like family to him." According to a story from last month, the conflict between Costner and Sheridan was also caused by the actor's wish to reduce his workload for the fifth season in order to devote more time to other endeavors.
'Never saw this coming'
Social media users were left in shock over Costner and his second wife's split. One social media user took to Twitter and used a 'Yellowstone' meme to express his disbelief. Another fan wrote made a mention of Costner and his second wife's age gap and wrote, "Her 49. Him 68. Did her time." A third user commented, "So let me get this straight. She tells her husband quit the wildly success tv show he stars in or she leaves him. He agrees to quot and she STILL leaves." Someone else typed, "OMG, the Earth shattering news. A celebrity getting a divorce!" Another follower exclaimed, "Oh no! That's so sad. Divorce is never easy. So sorry." Someone else again mentioned the age difference and wrote, "She filed. 19 year age gap. The stats hold true again."
So let me get this straight. She tells her husband quit the wildly success tv show he stars in or she leaves him. He agrees to quot and she STILL leaves. 🤦♂️
— Freland (@MikeFreland) May 3, 2023
OMG, the Earth shattering news. A celebrity getting a divorce!
— My Comments (@My_comments_R) May 3, 2023
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