Christine Baumgartner is very happy with her financier boyfriend/neighbor
Last year, I was sort of obsessed with Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner’s messy divorce. Everything’s been finalized now, so I can say that yes, Christine often came across like a spoiled trophy wife who was out to get as much money as she could. But throughout the back-and-forth accusations, I was completely shocked by Costner’s behavior and how it seemed like he had been financially abusing Christine for years. By September, Costner settled the financial stuff and they finalized their divorce. Christine claimed that she wanted to go back to school and reenter the workforce. I thought the chances were pretty good that she would end up finding another wealthy man and simply getting remarried. Even during the divorce mess, Christine was seen on vacation with one of Costner’s friends and neighbors. And it looks like that guy is the one?
Christine Costner is “very happy with” boyfriend Josh Connor after her divorce from Kevin Costner. Connor “gives her a lot of attention,” a source tells PEOPLE.
“Josh is great for” Baumgartner, 50, the source says of the financier, a longtime friend and former Santa Barbara, California neighbor of Kevin and Christine, whose divorce was finalized in February.
Connor and Baumgartner have been “spending time together as a blended family,” adds the source. He is “around a lot and gives her attention. She’s happy to spend a lot of time with Josh. He’s more of an ideal partner for her.”
PEOPLE exclusively reported that Baumgartner had been dating Connor for months in January, when a friend of Baumgartner’s said the two had been seeing each other “since she split from Kevin.” The exes settled their divorce in September 2023 after months of legal back and forth.
The financier “was initially just a friend,” they added at the time. “She likes hanging out with him. He is a divorced dad and understands what she’s been going through.”
It sounds vapid to say “I like him because he pays attention to me,” but you have to understand that Costner was constantly on location and Christine was mostly raising their kids alone anyway. She wanted to be with someone who would be around and be a real partner. Looks like she’s getting that. Incidentally, this People story wasn’t the only pro-Christine piece this week – the Mail also had an exclusive about how Christine wants to marry Josh. As I said months ago, that absolutely looked like that would be her next move. Honestly, good for her.
Kevin Costner's ex Christine Baumgartner and lover Josh Connor enjoy dinner with newly bonded family as friends reveal they're planning to marry https://t.co/KulKK1FzB3 pic.twitter.com/ZCLA2rlXIg
— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) May 29, 2024
Photos courtesy of Backgrid, Cover Images.
Los Angeles, CA – Christine arrived by limousine at the Santa Barbara Courthouse and is met by a woman presumed to be her lawyer. Pictured: Christine Baumgartner BACKGRID USA 5 JULY 2023 USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication* 
Los Angeles, CA – Christine arrived by limousine at the Santa Barbara Courthouse and is met by a woman presumed to be her lawyer. Pictured: Christine Baumgartner BACKGRID USA 5 JULY 2023 USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication* 
94th Academy Awards (Oscars) – Red Carpet Arrivals Featuring: Christine Baumgartner, Kevin Costner Where: Los Angeles, California, United States When: 27 Mar 2022 Credit: Abby Grant/Cover Images
Vanity Fair Oscar Party held at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts Featuring: Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner Where: Los Angeles, California, United States When: 27 Mar 2022 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages/Cover Images **ONLY AVAILABLE FOR NORTH AMERICA** 
USA Rights Only, Los Angeles, CA – 20220327- The 94th Academy Awards – Arrivals and Press Room -PICTURED: Christine Baumgartner and Kevin Costner -PHOTO by: Geisler/Dave Bedrosian/DDP/INSTARimages.com -ddp_16922393 This is an editorial, rights-managed image. Please contact Instar Images LLC for licensing fee and rights information at sales@instarimages.com or call +1 212 414 0207 This image may not be published in any way that is, or might be deemed to be, defamatory, libelous, pornographic, or obscene. Please consult our sales department for any clarification needed prior to publication and use. Instar Images LLC reserves the right to pursue unauthorized users of this material. If you are in violation of our intellectual property rights or copyright you may be liable for damages, loss of income, any profits you derive from the unauthorized use of this material and, where appropriate, the cost of collection and/or any statutory damages awarded Featuring: Christine Baumgartner and Kevin Costner Where: Los Angeles, California, United States When: 27 Mar 2022 Credit: Geisler/Dave Bedrosian/DDP/INSTA **USA Rights Only** 
Vanity Fair Oscar Party at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts Featuring: Kevin Costner, Christine Baumgartner Where: Beverly Hills, California, United States When: 27 Mar 2022 Credit: Abby Grant/Cover ImagesncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pLHLnpmirJOdxm%2BvzqZmcW9kZ4B0e8KhqaKrpJ67pqvBmqymn5Gnwa%2Bx0ZigrJemmr%2B6q8eap6mxj6y2tbS%2BoZyrl5aeu6K6wqKcq5eSpManvsiepZ2mlZ60qa7Oq2Y%3D