Kevin Costner didn’t shy away from expressing his pain when his ex-wife, Christine Baumgartner, blindsided him with divorce papers after 18 years of marriage in May 2023. “This is a horrible place to be,” he said after a tense court appearance in late August, as the two were embroiled in a bitter, four-month legal battle. “It feels so bad.” This whole experience, as a source exclusively revealed to Closer, marked “a torturous end” to Kevin and Christine’s relationship. “It was pure hell for him.”
Fast forward a few months, and the storm has finally calmed. Now, Kevin, 69, is ready to move forward, focusing on his epic four-part Western film series, Horizon (the first and second installments will hit theaters this summer). On top of that, he’s embracing a fresh romance with Jewel, the 49-year-old “Foolish Games” singer, after they started dating in December. It’s clear that Kevin is finding joy again, even amidst the wreckage of his past.
“As tough as Kevin’s divorce was, it hasn’t dimmed his optimistic spirit,” says the source. “He’s back to doing what he loves most—making films—and Jewel has been an unexpected blessing. He’s even beginning to consider the possibility of marriage again.”
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A Painful Split
Kevin was blindsided when Christine walked away, accusing him of prioritizing his work over their family. Despite drastically reducing his filming schedule for his wildly successful Paramount series, Yellowstone, and eventually leaving the show altogether, it wasn’t enough for Christine. The Oscar-winning actor had given his heart and soul to his family, providing them with everything they could possibly need. “Kevin’s family is everything to him, and he believed Christine was happy with their life together,” explains the source. But the reality hit hard when they ended up in court, battling over every detail of their lives. A judge eventually had to intervene, ordering Christine—who has since moved on with financier Josh Connor, a former neighbor and friend of the couple—to vacate their $145 million Santa Barbara estate after she refused to leave.
Their disputes went down to the smallest details, from who would get specific kitchen utensils to how much Kevin should pay in child support (she initially requested $248,000 a month; the judge set it to $63,209). Kevin accused Christine of withdrawing funds from his bank account and charging $95,000 on his credit card for her divorce attorneys, violating their “ironclad” prenup. It was a messy, painful end to what once seemed like a perfect union.
Back on Track
Since reaching a settlement in September, Kevin feels a weight lifted off his shoulders. Horizon is a passion project he’s been trying to bring to life for 30 years. “I just knew I had to make it, and I had to rely on my own finances to do it—which might not have been the smartest move,” he admitted, referring to the loan he took out on his Santa Barbara property to fund the project. (Interestingly, Kevin’s son Hayes plays a younger version of his father in the first film.) “It’s incredibly exciting for Kevin to finally see this movie come together,” says the source. The film series represents a new chapter, one where Kevin is diving headfirst into his craft and rediscovering his passion.
Love Finds a Way
Another bright light in Kevin’s life has been his budding romance with Jewel. The two were spotted getting cozy during a tennis fundraiser in the British Virgin Islands in early December. “Kevin wasn’t expecting to fall in love so soon,” says the source, adding that the Dances with Wolves star appreciates Jewel’s grounded nature, which contrasts sharply with his ex-wife’s high-maintenance lifestyle. “Christine was all about luxury, but Jewel doesn’t care about fancy clothes or jewelry.”
While Kevin is considering taking the next step, friends are advising him to take it slow. “They want Kevin to enjoy the moment,” says the source, “but at the end of the day, if he’s happy, they’re happy.” Love has a way of surprising us, and Kevin seems ready to embrace it once again.
