Kevin Costner's Divorce Is Messy

It’s been nearly two months since Christine Baumgartner filed for divorce from the lead actor in the Upside of Anger, Kevin Costner, reportedly blindsiding him after 18 years of marriage. In a previous marriage, Costner paid out $80 million, and he had a prenuptial agreement crafted to avoid another messy divorce.

But it didn’t work.

It seems the two are working out their divorce in the media through their representatives, as barely a day passes without one camp attacking the other. It began innocently enough — perhaps Costner’s work schedule led to the divorce? However, it quickly escalated. There were rumors that Baumgartner had an affair with the person living in their guest house, rumors that were denied by the person who was living in the guest house.

Soon afterward, Baumgartner reportedly violated their prenuptial agreement, which required that she vacate their 18-year shared home, with Costner promising her $1 million to buy another house. Now, $1 million is a lot of money, unless you’re trying to buy a new home for you and your three kids in Orange County, California. It would require significant downsizing, which — whatever — is a first-world problem. But also, Kevin Costner has three homes, one of which he uses as a studio. It seems spiteful to force his ex-wife and their kids out of their $145 million primary residence. On the other hand, Costner offered $30,000 a month to help pay for rent. But on the other other hand, the guest who was staying in their house was paying $60,000 a month in rent. His wife should receive more than half of what the guest was paying.

Baumgartner has yet to vacate the house, and now their financial details are becoming public. Costner reportedly earns $1.5 million a month, and Baumgartner wants $250,000 a month, which sounds excessive, except that it’s only 1/6th of his monthly income. Costner, however, is notably upset that Baumgartner spent $100,000 of his money on a divorce attorney and a forensic accountant.

Late last week, it was revealed that Costner reportedly informed his kids about the divorce during a 10-minute Zoom call without Baumgartner present, which seems tactless. Costner’s camp, meanwhile, is now asserting that, while he was “blindsided” by the divorce, his lawyers were already preparing the papers to file for divorce when she filed.

Costner has not fared well in the media battle. Depending on how airtight his prenuptial agreement is, however, he might still win the legal battle.