5 Shocking Post-Divorce Twists: Inside Kevin Costner’s Ex-Wife’s New Marriage And His Fresh Romance In 2025

The dramatic, high-stakes divorce between Hollywood icon Kevin Costner and his ex-wife, Christine Baumgartner, may have been finalized, but the story of their separate lives is just beginning. As of late 2025, the post-divorce developments have been nothing short of stunning, with both parties moving on in rapid and high-profile fashion, completely reshaping the narrative of one of the most talked-about celebrity splits in recent history. The former couple, who share three children, have officially closed the chapter on their 18-year marriage, but the sudden new relationships and life changes are proving to be as compelling as the initial legal battle.

The latest updates from December 2025 confirm that the dust has settled on their contentious split. The focus has now shifted entirely to their respective new romantic lives. Christine Baumgartner, the former model and handbag designer, has not only moved on but has already remarried, tying the knot with a man who was once a close family friend. Meanwhile, the two-time Oscar winner, Kevin Costner, has also been spotted with a new partner, a director and wellness podcaster, signaling a fresh start for the Yellowstone star.

Complete Profile: The Key Players in the Post-Divorce Drama

The highly-publicized separation of Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner, which began with Christine filing for divorce in May 2023, culminated in a final settlement in February 2024. The resulting life changes for both parties have introduced new and influential figures into their orbits.

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• Kevin Michael Costner:
  • Born: January 18, 1955, in Lynwood, California.
  • Profession: Actor, Filmmaker, Producer, Director.
  • Notable Works: Dances with Wolves (won two Academy Awards), The Bodyguard, Field of Dreams, Yellowstone.
  • Marital Status (Current): Divorced (from Christine Baumgartner in 2024).
• Christine Anne Baumgartner (now Connor):
  • Born: March 4, 1974.
  • Profession: Former Model, Handbag Designer.
  • Marital Status (Current): Married (to Josh Connor in 2025).
• Josh Connor:
  • Profession: Montecito-based Financier, Founding Partner of Connor Capital SB.
  • Education: Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Williams College.
  • Relationship with Costner: Longtime friend and neighbor of both Kevin and Christine during their marriage.
• Kelly Noonan Gores:
  • Profession: Director, Writer, Producer, Wellness Podcaster.
  • Notable Work: Writer/Director of the 2017 documentary feature HEAL.
  • Relationship with Costner: Reportedly dating Kevin Costner as of 2025.

The Five Most Surprising Post-Divorce Developments

The split was contentious, featuring legal battles over the prenuptial agreement, child support payments, and the timeline for Christine to vacate the family’s $145 million Montecito estate. However, the events of 2024 and 2025 have completely overshadowed the courtroom drama, providing five major twists that surprised fans and media alike.

1. Christine Baumgartner’s Shock Remarriage to a Family Friend

Perhaps the most unexpected development was the speed and nature of Christine Baumgartner’s new relationship. Just over a year and a half after finalizing her divorce from the Hollywood star, Christine married financier Josh Connor. The wedding took place in October 2025 at the Santa Ynez Ranch in California. This event was particularly shocking for several reasons.

Firstly, the two were seen vacationing together in Hawaii as early as July 2023, while her divorce from Costner was still ongoing, which fueled speculation about the timeline of their romance. Secondly, Connor was not a stranger but a longtime friend and neighbor of the Costners in their exclusive Montecito community. Sources close to Christine have stated that she is "so happy and supported" in this new relationship, emphasizing that they share similar values and lifestyles. The rapid transition from a bitter divorce to a new marriage solidifies a clean break from her past with Kevin Costner.

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2. Kevin Costner Finds a ‘Casual’ Romance with a Director

While Christine walked down the aisle, Kevin Costner also began to explore a new romantic chapter. As of 2025, the Dances with Wolves actor is reportedly dating director and wellness podcaster Kelly Noonan Gores. This new pairing marks Costner’s first public romance since his divorce and suggests he is embracing a different type of partner.

Gores, known for her documentary HEAL, which explores the mind-body connection and innate healing abilities, shares a passion for filmmaking and storytelling with Costner. The relationship is described by sources as "casual" but serious enough to be a prominent part of Costner’s life as he focuses on his film projects, particularly his ambitious four-part Western saga, Horizon. The contrast between Christine's quick remarriage and Kevin's more "casually" dating status shows two very different approaches to navigating post-divorce life in the spotlight.

3. The Contentious Child Support Battle and Final Settlement

The divorce was defined by the financial disagreements, primarily centered on child support for their three teenage children: Cayden, Hayes, and Grace. The initial proceedings saw a judge order Costner to pay Christine an "obscene amount" of $129,000 per month. This figure was hotly contested by Costner's legal team, who argued that the payment was excessive and based on an inflated view of his income, particularly from the highly successful Yellowstone series.

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The couple eventually settled the financial aspect of the divorce in September 2023, which allowed the divorce to be finalized in February 2024. The final settlement was confidential, but it confirmed that the prenuptial agreement (PNA) was upheld, providing Costner with a significant legal victory regarding the protection of his assets. The PNA specified that Costner had provided $200,000 to help cover Christine’s moving costs, a key point in the legal back-and-forth. The final agreement allowed both parties to move forward without the ongoing stress of public financial litigation.

4. The Montecito Real Estate Shuffle

A major point of contention during the divorce was Christine’s refusal to vacate the family's sprawling oceanfront compound in Montecito, California, as stipulated in their prenuptial agreement. Costner’s legal team had to go to court to enforce the PNA, arguing that Christine had 30 days to move out after filing for divorce. The luxury real estate was central to the drama, symbolizing the end of their shared life.

Christine eventually moved out, allowing Costner to regain full control of the property. Her subsequent marriage to Montecito-based financier Josh Connor means she has remained firmly rooted in the exclusive community, maintaining stability and proximity for their children. This strategic move to remain in the area, despite the court battle over the family home, highlights Christine's focus on maintaining her children’s established life in Santa Barbara County.

5. The Newfound Focus on Career and Family

With the divorce finalized, both Kevin and Christine have been able to fully dedicate themselves to their careers and family lives. Kevin Costner has plunged back into his passion project, the epic Western film series Horizon: An American Saga, which he stars in, directs, and partially finances. The film's premiere has been a major focus for him throughout 2024 and 2025, serving as a powerful distraction and a creative outlet during his personal turmoil.

Christine, now married to Josh Connor, has found stability and support in her new family unit. Connor is a divorced father of three himself, meaning the new couple is blending a large family of six children. The emphasis for both ex-spouses is clearly on co-parenting and establishing healthy, new routines for their children, away from the intense media scrutiny that defined their separation.