Renowned actor Kevin Costner, celebrated for his roles in iconic films like Dances with Wolves and hit series like Yellowstone, has captivated audiences with his on-screen talent.
However, his personal life, marked by two divorces and fatherhood to seven children from three different mothers, has been equally intriguing.
Let’s delve into the actor’s marital journey, paternity scandal, and the recent turn of events involving his 18-year marriage to Christine Baumgartner.
First marriage
Kevin Costner’s first marriage was to Cindy Silva, lasting from 1978 to 1994. The couple, parents to three children – Annie, Lily, and Joe – faced rumors of infidelity, with speculation that Costner’s alleged affair during the filming of Waterworld led to the end of their 16-year marriage.
The divorce, regarded as one of Hollywood’s most expensive, resulted in Costner paying Silva a whopping $80 million and sharing custody of their children, according to People.
Paternity scandal with Bridget Rooney
Two years after his divorce from Silva, Costner faced a paternity scandal involving Bridget Rooney, per Express. Despite their brief relationship, Rooney became pregnant with Liam in 1996.
When she became pregnant with Liam, Rooney told New York Magazine that she knew “110 percent” who the father was, and that she was set on continuing the pregnancy regardless of whether Costner helped her or not.
She said at the time: “There was only one way to go with this. I’m 34 years old, and I’m fortunate to have a baby. I didn’t even think of the A word, only the B word.”
Costner, initially uncertain about paternity, demanded a DNA test, which confirmed his fatherhood. Until then, he had denied that Liam was biologically his. Afterwards, however, Costner set up a trust fund for Liam.
The Oscar-winner also allegedly took time to visit his son “occasionally but not on a regular basis,” a friend of Rooney’s said.
Relationship with Christine Baumgartner
Costner’s second marriage was to Christine Baumgartner, whom he met in 1996 while preparing for Tin Cup. After a temporary breakup over conflicting views on having more children, they reconciled, tied the knot in 2004, and welcomed three children: Cayden, Hayes, and Grace. Costner initially hesitated to commit to fatherhood again but eventually embraced the role – and he’s proven himself to be a fantastic dad.
In a surprising turn of events, Costner’s 18-year marriage to Christine Baumgartner came to an end in May 2023. Since then, it’s made headlines for its acrimonious nature. Reports suggest Costner was blindsided by the divorce, and even accused his ex-wife of lying about her financial situation.
According to US Weekly, Baumgartner apparently initiated the divorce due to Costner’s extensive work commitments, especially while he was filming the hit series Yellowstone.
Per court documents obtained by the outlet, Costner alleged that Baumgartner, without his prior knowledge, utilized his credit cards to finance their divorce. Costner also claimed that his ex-spouse had withdrawn a substantial sum of money from his accounts since April 2023.
After their lengthy court battle, however, the couple eventually was able to move on after finalizing their divorce in September.
From the rumors surrounding his first marriage to the paternity scandal with Bridget Rooney and the surprising end to his 18-year marriage with Christine Baumgartner, Costner’s journey has clearly been a mix of highs and lows.
What do you think about all of this? Let us know in the comments!
