Christine Baumgartner and Kevin Costner have been together for over two decades, but they almost parted ways for good because of Costner's fears.
Although Christine Baumgartner is better known as Kevin Costner's wife, she is also a successful businesswoman, mother of three, and stepmother of four.
The couple's love story is one of a kind, mainly because of their 19-year age gap, and they began dating years after their first meeting. Read on and learn everything about Costner and Baumgartner's relationship.
Christine Baumgartner on November 04, 2019 in West Hollywood, California | Source: Getty Images
Who Is Christine Baumgartner?
Born Christine Anne Baumgartner on March 4, 1974, Kevin Costner's wife is a former model who had her heyday in the 1980s. She has a degree in business from California State University in Fullerton.
Costner is not the only successful member of their family. Baumgartner is a renowned businesswoman with a famous handbag line called Cat Bag Couture.
The company's popularity skyrocketed in the mid-2000s after releasing a collection of laptop bags. Although Baumgartner is not on social media, some of her designs even appeared on "Desperate Housewives."
Christine Baumgartner on May 5, 2005, in Madrid, Spain | Source: Getty Images
While Baumgartner and Costner look in love and have a beautiful family (more on their children later), their age difference has raised a few eyebrows.
The handbag designer is 48, meaning she is 19 years younger than her 67-year-old Oscar-winning husband. Baumgartner knew she wanted kids before being with Costner, but it almost broke their relationship.
Christine Baumgartner Met Kevin Costner When He Was Married
Costner and Baumgartner met at a golf course in the 1990s while he rehearsed for the 1996 romantic comedy "Tin Cup." The "Hatfields & McCoys" star and Cindy Silva were still married.
The ex-couple shares three children: Annie, born in April 1984; Lily, born in August 1986; and Joe, born in January 1988. Silva and Costner's love story didn't stand the test of time, and they divorced in 1994.
Their separation took a toll on the actor's life as he admitted his faith "was shaken," mainly because he could see his kids only half as much, and it was a "huge loss."
Christine Baumgartner and actor Kevin Costner on December 10, 2016, in New York City | Source: Getty Images
He didn't give up on love and began dating Bridget Rooney in 1995. They welcomed a boy named Liam in November 1996, but it was not enough to keep them together. They parted ways in 1998.
Later that year, Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner reconnected at a restaurant. They felt a beautiful connection, exchanged numbers, and began dating shortly after. Four years into their relationship, things complicated as she wanted kids, but Costner already had four.
Saying "sorry" is crucial, even when you think you are right.
The "Dances with Wolves" star confessed he was afraid of marrying Baumgartner and having a child with her because he didn't think he would be an effective father. Fortunately, he changed his mind. He explained:
"I woke up and thought, 'Am I going to lose a beautiful woman who is willing to be with me to my very last breath because I am afraid to say yes to a child?'"
Costner and Baumgartner got back together and married on September 25, 2004, at his 165-acre ranch outside Aspen, Colorado. The ceremony was over the top as he arrived in a horse-drawn carriage, and she did it in a vintage pickup truck.
After exchanging vows by a stream, they took their guests, including Tim Allen, Mary McDonnell, and Don Johnson, to a nearby tent for the reception.
Baumgartner and Costner have defied Hollywood stereotypes by staying married for almost two decades, and he revealed that saying "sorry" is crucial, even when you think you are right.
Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner with their kids, Cayden, Hayes, and Grace, on February 9, 2015 in Hollywood, California | Source: Getty Images
Christine Baumgartner Is a Mother of 3
Despite Costner's initial fear of having more kids, he and Baumgartner enlarged their family and welcomed three: Cayden, Hayes, and Grace, born in May 2007, February 2009, and June 2010.
While the children have posed with their parents at red-carpet events over the years, Christine Baumgartner and Kevin Costner prefer to keep them out of the spotlight. They spend most of their time at their ranch in Colorado, but Costner also owns a beachside property near Santa Barbara, California.
He was accused of being unfaithful.
Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner with their kids, Cayden, Hayes, and Grace, on August 01, 2019, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
Out of their three kids, Grace seems like the jokester. Costner got letters from his younger children on Father's Day, and Grace signed hers with, "your best child."
The actor revealed that he and his wife would take their kids to school every morning when he was not working. He also credited Baumgartner with giving the right foods to their kids because if it were up to him, they would eat chocolate and ribs.
Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner on April 7, 2014, in Westwood, California | Source: Getty Images
Costner also uses chocolate and other sweet treats to bribe their children into going back to him. "You don't have to chase them very far when you talk about chocolate," he joked.
Baumgartner is also the stepmother of Costner's four elder kids, who get along great with their younger siblings despite their ages.
Kevin Costner and Cindy Costner on November 4, 1990, in Century City, California. | Source: Getty Images
Kevin Costner’s Relationships before Christine Baumgartner
Unlike many other Hollywood stars, Costner has not dated dozens of people. He met Cindy Silva at California State University in Fullerton in 1975. They dated for three years before marrying in 1978.
Fans were shocked when they announced their divorce, mainly because he was accused of being unfaithful. Silva didn't like his "sexy roles" and told him he had to either stop getting those parts or quit the movie business.
Christine Baumgartner and Kevin Costner on January 15, 2015, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Former "Good Morning America" co-host Joan Lunden came next, but their romance was short-lived due to intense media scrutiny.
Before reconnecting with Christine Baumgartner, Kevin Costner was in a relationship with Bridget Rooney. She married billionaire Bill Koch in 2005 – seven years after leaving Costner. What a beautiful and blended family he has!
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