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Kevin Costner’s Ex-Wife Christine Baumgartner Engaged to Former Friend in Surprising New Chapter
2025-01-29
Author: Jia
Christine Baumgartner is officially off the market again!
Just months after finalizing her bitter divorce from actor Kevin Costner, Christine Baumgartner has found love with Josh Connor, a long-time friend of Costner. The couple got engaged during a romantic beachside proposal in Santa Barbara, California, on January 26, 2024, marking a fresh beginning for Baumgartner, who is now 50 years old.
Witnesses revealed that the proposal took place under somber skies, with rain looming and beachgoers sparse. A source revealed to People magazine, “It was an intimate moment—Josh got down on one knee, and it was just magical.” Their relationship, which blossomed after the challenges of her divorce, signals a potentially joyful future for Baumgartner and Connor.
Friends close to the couple noted that their romance took root over Christmas in New York. They were spotted together at various events, celebrating their relationship, with one friend stating, “They are over the moon and excited for their future together.” Photos from December capture Connor, 49, shielding Baumgartner with an umbrella, solidifying the playful and caring dynamic between them.
Connor's ties to Kevin Costner run deeper than mere friendship; he was actually a neighbor during Costner and Baumgartner’s 18 years of marriage. This connection complicates matters, given that Baumgartner's relationship with Connor reportedly emerged amidst the turbulent backdrop of her divorce, which became public knowledge in May 2023.
The couple's timeline is intriguing: Baumgartner was first linked to Connor during a trip to Hawaii in July 2023, where she was accompanied by her three children from her marriage with Costner—Cayden, 17; Hayes, 15; and Grace, 14. Despite legal proceedings early on, including a child support hearing where Baumgartner’s attorney claimed they were merely “friends,” it seems their relationship quickly evolved into romantic territory.
As they pursue happiness together, Baumgartner has expressed feeling supported and fulfilled in this new venture. An insider expressed, “Christine and Josh began their relationship based on a strong friendship. They share the same values, and it’s a very natural progression for both of them.”
With Costner previously ordered to pay Baumgartner a staggering $63,209 per month in child support as part of their divorce settlement, tensions around their separation were palpable. Though Costner has yet to publicly comment on his ex-wife’s new romance, it’s acknowledged that he harbored suspicions about Connor long before the news broke of their engagement.
As this story continues to unfold, fans are left speculating about how this new relationship will impact the lives of all involved, heightening interest in Baumgartner's post-divorce journey.