Less than a year after her highly contentious divorce, Kevin Costner's ex-wife has announced her engagement again.
Daily Mail reported that fifty-year-old Christine Baumgartner quickly found new love with financier Josh Connor after divorcing actor Kevin Costner.
Christine Baumgartner and Kevin Costner spent 18 years together in marriage and raised three children. They finalized their divorce 11 months ago after enduring bitter proceedings and disputing financial settlements and custody arrangements.
The engagement between Baumgartner and Connor occurred on a beach in Santa Barbara, where Baumgartner had previously lived with Costner. This location choice has added a sentimental backdrop to their new beginning.
The discontent with the quick progress of Baumgartner's new relationship has been palpable. Critics and the public alike have expressed shock and dismay on social media, highlighting the speed with which she has moved on. An unknown woman commented online, "Well, that was fast. The ink is barely dry on her divorce documents."
Christine and Josh Connor, who is also 49, met through a shared connection - their teenage daughters are best friends. Initially starting as friends, their relationship blossomed into romance during a group trip to New York at the end of 2023.
Costner, on the other hand, felt blindsided by the news of his ex-wife's engagement, which he learned about from their children. A friend of Costner shared that he found the swift move forward as a personal betrayal, "He would have preferred to have heard it straight from Christine but, either way, it still feels like a betrayal, even after all this time."
Despite his hurt feelings, Kevin Costner has been trying to move on, engaging in casual dating, though he remains cautious about entering another committed relationship soon. An insider noted his approach after the split: "He's been dating but nothing serious."
According to friends and sources close to the couple, Baumgartner and Connor share many common interests and values that form a strong foundation for their relationship. Friends describe them as both private and family-focused. "They are both very private and family-focused. Christine and Josh are such positive people," added a mutual friend.
Another confidante echoed this sentiment, stating, "Christine and Josh's relationship began as a friendship, so their relationship has a strong foundation."
Lastly, friends and families support their union and feel delighted to see them happy. A friend remarked, "Their friends and family are thrilled they've found each other and are starting a healthy and happy new chapter in their lives."
During the divorce, Costner and Baumgartner's proceedings were fraught with conflict over not just the children's custody but also mundane items like kitchenware, indicating the deep levels of discord. Ultimately, they agreed to joint custody of their three children, a decision that remained a rare point of agreement in a largely acrimonious split.
In the aftermath of his marriage, Costner's commitment to fatherhood remains strong, with a source close to the family affirming, "Kevin is a great father."
As Baumgartner plans a future with Connor, including searching for a new home, she insists on looking forward and not dwelling on the past. Defending her decision to move on quickly, a friend stated, "It is entirely Kevin's choice if he wants to live in the past."
Christine Baumgartner's rapid engagement has stirred emotions and drawn attention, highlighting how personal matters of the heart often become public, especially when celebrities are involved.
As the community reacts, this story reminds us of the complexities and pressures that come with life in the spotlight. Baumgartner continues to shape her journey with Josh Connor, embracing this new chapter with hope and enthusiasm while leaving past conflicts behind.
