Ex in the city! Kevin Costner’s former wife, Christine Baumgartner, is enjoying life in New York City — with her ex-husband’s former friend, Josh Connor. The 50-year-old looked radiant and in love as she strolled arm in arm with her boyfriend, who was once her neighbor during her marriage to the “Yellowstone” star, 69. Exclusive photos obtained by The Post show Baumgartner and Connor arriving at Harold Dieterle’s Il Totano in the West Village on Wednesday.
The couple appeared cheerful despite the rain during their romantic evening out. Connor, dressed in a black winter coat and navy slacks, stayed warm with a scarf and shared an umbrella with Baumgartner. As he shielded her from the rain, the former friend of Costner seemed confident and content before they indulged in Italian cuisine on the chilly city night. Baumgartner, sporting an all-black outfit, couldn’t hide her huge smile.
The handbag designer filed for divorce from Costner in May 2023 after 18 years of marriage, listing their date of separation as April 11. She was first seen with Connor during a trip to Hawaii in July 2023, which included the couple’s three children: Cayden, 17, Hayes, 15, and Grace, 14. Months later, photos emerged of Costner’s then-estranged wife holding hands with the financier. At the time, sources downplayed their relationship, describing Connor as “initially just a friend.”
“He is a divorced dad and understands what she’s been going through. They both love the ocean and beach life. It’s something that makes Christine happy,” an insider shared with People. However, another source claimed the pair had been seeing each other “since she split from Kevin.” Connor was even drawn into the couple’s contentious divorce battle. During child support hearings, Baumgartner’s attorney, John Rydell, dismissed rumors of a romance, stating they were simply friends.
After months of negotiations, Costner and Baumgartner finalized their divorce earlier this year. She sought $160,000 a month in child support, arguing that their children’s “affluent lifestyle” was “in their DNA.” The judge ruled otherwise, ordering Costner to pay $63,209 in monthly child support. While Costner has never publicly addressed his ex-wife’s relationship with his former friend, insiders say he “had strong suspicions that something was going on between Christine and Josh.”
A source told Us Weekly in January that “their close bond was a real elephant in the room.” Meanwhile, Costner has been moving on as well. He was previously linked to singer Jewel, 50, and recently sparked dating rumors with Sharon Stone after the pair was seen “getting flirty” at the Governors Awards on November 17.
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