Summary Costner and Baumgartner, a model and handbag designer, began dating in 1998 and got married in 2004
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kevin Costner and his wife of nearly 19 years, Christine Baumgartner, are divorcing, a representative for the actor said on Tuesday.
“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,” Costner’s publicist Arnold Robinson said in a statement.
Costner and Baumgartner, a model and handbag designer, began dating in 1998 before getting married at his Colorado ranch in 2004.
They have two sons, ages 14 and 15, and a 12-year-old daughter together.
It was the second marriage for Costner, 68, the Oscar and Emmy winning star of TV’s Yellowstone and films including Dances With Wolves, The Bodyguard and Bull Durham.
Costner also has four adult children from previous relationships.
They've kept their relationship and family out of the spotlight over the past two decades. In a rare interview about his personal life, the actor said the COVID-19 pandemic strengthened their relationship.
"Our partnership has really come into focus about what we do for each other and how we deal with our family," Kevin told People in 2020, adding he's "really comfortable with my family."
"Our house is like a river: You've just got to get into the flow of it," he continued. "And whatever you thought it was going to be, maybe it still can, but it's going to have to work with what the day brings."
Christine and Kevin first met on a golf course when the actor was rehearsing for 1996's Tin Cup, per People. He was still technically married to his first wife, Cindy Silva, with whom he shares three grown children. The two split in 1994 and, according to Forbes, they had one of the most expensive divorces in history as the actor reportedly paid out as much as $80 million in a settlement. In 1998, Kevin and Christine reconnected and have been together ever since.
News of the divorce comes as the actor is involved in a bitter dispute with Yellowstone producers that could end the Western series, which ranks as the most popular streaming show.
