KEVIN Costner’s ex-wife Christine Baumgartner has confirmed her relationship with family friend Joshua Connor.
After a nine-month court battle, the handbag designer and actor finalized their divorce in February.
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Christine, 50, officially moved on with financier Joshua after they were discovered and held hands in Santa Barbara over the weekend.
The pair remained even closer as they walked down the street together, both wearing sportswear.
NEW MAN
The blonde bombshell wore a white raincoat, black leggings and sneakers paired with sunglasses and her hair tied into a ponytail.
Christine reached into the back pocket of Joshua’s black pants for some major PDA, and he returned the favor with his hand firmly around her waist.
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The financier wore a black raincoat, black knitted scarf and an LA hat as the pair laughed during the outing.
Relationship rumors between the couple first emerged during the former model’s legal battle with Kevin, 69, last year.
KEVIN AND CHRISTIN
The award-winning actor married Christine in 2004 at a ranch wedding in Aspen, Colorado, although they split briefly before saying, “I do.”
The couple welcomed son Cayden three years later, followed by Hayes in 2009 and Grace in 2010.
During a child custody hearing, Kevin’s legal team questioned a $20,000 loan from a “boyfriend” identified as Josh.
But the owner of the Cat Bag Couture brand denied any romantic involvement, claiming the financier was just a “family friend”.
DISCONTINUING RUMORS
Christine took the stand and told the court that Joshua had been a long-time friend for “7 or 8 years”.
According to Fox News Digitalwhen asked directly if the man was her boyfriend, she replied, “No.”
Additionally, while in court, the mother of three recalled a trip to Hawaii in March with Joshua, her daughter and other friends.
Christine said that Kevin didn’t join them because, for Fox“he wanted to give a speech to a hunting club.”
The Costners reportedly paid for the vacation home they stayed in during their trip.
Then in July, Kevin’s ex returned to Hawaii with friends and children, including Joshua.
She said his daughter is “best friends” with hers, 13-year-old Grace Costner.
The designer said the financier “paid for the house” on the second visit.
GREAT GIFT
When Kevin’s legal team asked about the allegations that Joshua “gave Christine money,” she responded, “I don’t remember if it was before or after [the March or July trips to Hawaii].”
“He gave me $20,000,” she revealed.
Christine told the court she “gave $10,000” of the amount “to [her] mother” before becoming emotional in the statement.
“She was worried about her house,” explained the designer.
Kevin Costner’s relationships
Kevin has been married three times and has seven children.
Kevin’s dating history began with actress Cindy Silva, whom he met in 1975 while studying at California State University, Fullerton.
They married three years later and welcomed three children: Annie, Lily, and Joe.
But after 16 years of marriage, the couple called it quits in 1994.
Shortly after, Kevin moved in with philanthropist Bridget Rooney.
In 1996, the actor and former model gave birth to his son Liam.
Two years later, the pair called it quits and the Oscar winner went on to become involved in several other short-lived relationships.
Kevin dated political activist Birgit Cunningham and model Elle Macpherson.
The movie star met handbag designer Christine Baumgartner while filming her 1996 film Tin Cup.
Despite a brief separation before their wedding date, the couple tied the knot in 2004 in a ceremony in Aspen, Colorado.
They welcomed son Cayden in 2007, followed by Hayes in 2009 and daughter Grace a year later.
But in May 2023, Christine filed for divorce from Kevin after nearly 20 years of marriage.
The divorce was finalized in February after a difficult court battle over the house and a custody battle over their children.
The former model has since moved on with financier Joshua Connor.
Kevin is rumored to be dating Grammy-nominated singer Jewel, although their romance has not been confirmed.
KEVIN ON CAMERA
When Christine’s new relationship became public, Kevin was thrilled to premiere his new western film, Horizon: An American Saga, at the Cannes Film Festival over the weekend.
The beloved actor received a standing ovation for nearly 10 minutes for the first part of a four-part film, leaving him teary-eyed.
“I’m sorry that you had to applaud for so long for me to understand that I should speak,” he finally said into the microphone.
“Such good people, such a good moment – not just for me, for the actors who came with me, for the people who believed in me, who continued to work.
“It’s a funny thing and I’m so glad I found it. There’s no place like it. I’ll never forget it; neither will my kids,” he said emotionally.
Kevin continued: “I did it – it’s not mine anymore, it’s yours. I knew that the minute this was over, and that’s how it should be.
“I think movies aren’t about their opening weekends, they’re about their lives…about how many times you’re willing to share them, and I hope you share this movie with your boyfriends, with your kids.
“I feel so lucky, I feel so blessed. And there are three more”, concluded the actor.
Kevin and Christine’s son, Hayes, made his acting debut alongside his father in the western film, which opens in theaters on June 28.
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