Honestly, if you’ve spent any time on the internet lately, you’ve probably seen the headlines. People are still scouring the web for pictures of Kevin Costner s wife, even though, technically, he doesn’t have one anymore. The Yellowstone star is officially single as of early 2026, but the digital ghost of his nearly 20-year marriage to Christine Baumgartner refuses to fade away.
It’s kinda wild when you think about it.
One minute they’re the gold standard of Hollywood couples—standing on red carpets, looking like a million bucks—and the next, they’re embroiled in one of the most expensive, headline-grabbing divorces we’ve seen in years. We’re talking about a guy who has spent decades playing the rugged, reliable lead. Seeing that image crack in real-time? That’s why the photos still get so many clicks. People want to see the "before" and "after" of a relationship that felt permanent.
Who Was the Woman in the Photos?
Before the lawyers got involved, Christine Baumgartner was a constant presence by Costner's side. She’s a model and handbag designer, but for most of the public, she was simply the woman who finally got the world’s most famous cinematic cowboy to settle down for a second time. They met on a golf course in the late '90s, though they didn't start dating until 1998.
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They actually broke up briefly in 2003. Why? Because Kevin wasn’t sure he wanted more kids. He already had four from previous relationships (three with first wife Cindy Silva and one with Bridget Rooney). Christine was firm: she wanted a family. He eventually realized he couldn't lose her over a fear of starting over, and they married at his massive "Dunbar" ranch in Aspen in 2004.
For nearly two decades, the pictures of Kevin Costner s wife showed a woman who seemed perfectly at home in that high-gloss, high-stakes world.
The 2023 Split That Changed Everything
Then came May 2023. The filing hit the news like a ton of bricks. Christine filed for divorce citing "irreconcilable differences," and things got ugly fast. If you’re looking for photos from that era, you won’t find many smiles. You’ll find shots of moving trucks leaving their $145 million Santa Barbara compound and tense arrivals at courtrooms.
It wasn't just about the marriage ending. It was about the math.
- Child Support: She originally asked for $248,000 a month. A month! A judge eventually set it at about $63,000.
- The Prenup: Kevin fought hard to uphold their premarital agreement, which required her to move out of the family home within 30 days of filing.
- The Settlement: They finally reached an "amicable" resolution in September 2023, and the divorce was finalized in February 2024.
Where is She Now?
If you see recent pictures of Kevin Costner s wife (well, ex-wife), she’s likely with someone new. In October 2025, Christine married financier Josh Connor. He was actually a neighbor of the couple back when they were married. Talk about a plot twist. They tied the knot at a private vineyard in Santa Barbara, and according to reports, the kids were all there.
Kevin, for his part, has been linked to a few people but hasn't walked down the aisle again. He was famously spotted looking very cozy with singer Jewel at a charity event on Richard Branson’s Necker Island, but he later told Howard Stern they were "just friends." Lately, rumors have swirled about him and Kelly Noonan Gores, but honestly? He seems more focused on his Horizon film saga than anything else.
The Impact of Those Red Carpet Images
Why do we care so much about these old photos? It’s basically because Costner represents a specific kind of American masculinity. He’s the Field of Dreams guy. He’s John Dutton. When you see pictures of Kevin Costner s wife, you’re seeing the domestic side of a legend.
We look at those images to try and spot the "tells." Was there a distance between them in 2022? Did they look happy at the Yellowstone premieres? We act like body language experts because celebrity breakups make us feel like our own lives—which are hopefully less expensive—are a bit more stable.
The reality is that these photos are a time capsule of a massive Hollywood era. Costner is 71 now, navigating a new chapter of his life as a single father to his seven children. Whether he finds a "third wife" or stays the bachelor of Santa Barbara, the interest in his personal life isn't going anywhere.
What you can do next:
- Check the Timeline: If you're following the latest news, make sure you're looking at dates. Many "new" photos circulating are actually years old.
- Verify the Source: Celebrity news in 2026 is full of AI-generated "what if" scenarios. Stick to verified outlets like People or Entertainment Weekly for actual candid shots.
- Focus on the Work: If the drama is too much, Costner's latest film projects often feature his children (like Hayes in Horizon), which offers a much more wholesome look at his current family life.
The saga of Kevin Costner’s romantic life is a reminder that even the biggest stars deal with the messy reality of legal fees and moving days. While the world keeps searching for those perfect pictures, the real story is usually found in the quiet moments between the camera flashes.