Kevin Costner was visibly emotional as he opened up about his ‘crushing’ divorce from Christine Baumgartner on Thursday.
The Yellowstone star, 69, split from Baumgartner, 50, after 19 years of marriage in 2023 – and their acrimonious multimillion dollar divorce battle played out in public.
Now, Costner has admitted his shock split was ‘powerful and hurt’ but said his seven children – the three youngest of which he shares with Baumgartner – have kept him going.
Appearing on CBS Mornings with Gayle King to promote new film Horizon, he said of the divorce: ‘That’s a crushing moment. It’s powerful, it hurt.
‘But I go forward, I have no choice. My children are looking at me so I can’t wilt like a daisy. I have to go forward, I have to continue to be who I am and to keep a special eye on who they are.’
Kevin Costner was visibly emotional as he opened up about his ‘crushing’ divorce from Christine Baumgartner on Thursday
The Yellowstone star, 69, split from Baumgartner, 50, after 19 years of marriage in 2023 – and their acrimonious multimillion dollar divorce battle played out in public – pictured 2018
The star shares Cayden, 17, Hayes, 15, and Grace, 13, with Baumgartner. The former couple were married from 2004 until their divorce was finalized earlier this year in February.
He is also father to Annie, 40, Lily, 36, and Joe, 36 – whom he welcomed with ex-wife, Cindy Silva. He also shares son Liam, 26, with ex Bridget Rooney.
Baumgartner, has since moved on following their split and is currently dating Costner’s former pal Josh Connor – whom she was romantically linked to earlier this year.
When recently asked about how he has been navigating life after his ex filed for divorce in May 2023 after nearly 20 years of marriage, he replied: ‘You just do it.’
‘You just keep talking, you keep coaching [the kids], you keep interested in what they’re interested in,’ he continued. ‘I had to.’
Costner and Baumgartner both sought joint custody of their three children and Baumgartner is receiving $63,209 a month in child support from her ex- a much lower amount than the $165K she had requested.
Meanwhile, he has been channeling his passion into Horizon: An American Saga, the debut movie in his upcoming four-part Western epic.
Appearing on CBS Mornings with Gayle King to promote new film Horizon, he said of the divorce: ‘That’s a crushing moment. It’s powerful, it hurt. ‘But I go forward, I have no choice’
Now, Costner has admitted his shock split was ‘powerful and hurt’ but said his seven children – the three youngest of which he shares with Baumgartner – have kept him going – pictured 2018
Costner and Baumgartner both sought joint custody of their three children and Baumgartner is receiving $63,209 a month in child support from her ex- a much lower amount than the $165K she had requested – pictured 2022
Horizon: An American Saga is a film directed and produced by as well as starring himself in a screenplay he co-wrote. The movie opens in theaters on June 28.
He fronted $38 million of his own money and mortgaged property to help fund the film, but he shared his excitement for his life.
‘I’ve had an incredibly unusual — and, for the most part, beautiful — life,’ Costner said.
‘I’ve taken some really big bites out of life, and life has taken some really big ones out of me, and I’ve never let it harden me and I’m not going to,’ he added.
He also said that his top priority remains with his kids.
‘It’s really about the children,’ the actor and filmmaker says. ‘I am still teaching my kids. And by the way, I’m still learning.’
In his cover story, he insisted that they aren’t dating amid the rampant romance rumors.
‘No, Jewel and I are friends,’ he told People. ‘We’ve never gone out ever.’
Costner also added: ‘She’s special, and I don’t want — I don’t want these rumors to ruin our friendship because that’s what we have. She’s special to me. She’s beautiful enough to go out with.’
