One of my favorite characters in Mad Men was Dr. Faye Miller, played beautifully by the lovely Cara Buono. She was one of the few women to see through Don Draper quickly, and some of her lines to and about Don echoed throughout the rest of the show long after she left. I regularly think of her early comment to a freshly-divorced Don: “You’ll be married again in a year.” And then, by way of non-apology, she just sort of shrugs and says, “Nobody wants to think they’re a type.”
I bring up the ever quotable Mad Men because of Christine Baumgartner, Kevin Costner’s ex-wife. Back in 2023, I was worried that Christine was getting hosed in her divorce, but I also kind of thought she was a woman with options. Those options being “marry another wealthy guy.” Nobody wants to think they’re a type. Christine had the same idea as me – just a few months after she filed for divorce from Kevin, she was on vacation in Hawaii with one of Costner’s friends and neighbors, a financier named Josh Connor. Christine and Kevin settled their divorce in the fall of ‘23, and everything was finalized last February. Guess who’s engaged?
Christine Baumgartner and her financier boyfriend, Josh Connor, are engaged, PEOPLE can exclusively confirm. The couple’s engagement took place on January 26 during what Baumgartner, 50, thought was a simple intimate dinner for two in Santa Barbara.
But Connor, 49, had something even more romantic — and life-changing — in mind. “It was about to rain, so almost no one else was on the beach when Josh got down on one knee,” a source close to the couple tells PEOPLE.
Those in the couple’s inner circle weren’t surprised by the proposal. “They spent Christmas in New York together last month, where it all began. They are both over the moon and excited for their future together,” the source adds,
The pair was first spotted together in Hawaii during a romantic getaway in July 2023, fueling speculation about their budding romance. A friend of Baumgartner’s told PEOPLE they were dating in January 2024. In Dec. 2024, a source told PEOPLE, “Christine and Josh’s relationship started as a friendship, so they have a really strong foundation. They share the same values, and she feels so happy and supported in this new relationship.” The source added: “They’re so in love. It’s been a very natural and positive step forward for Christine.”
“Anyone who knows Christine knows how she has dedicated her life to her family. They do a lot together, and caring for her kids has remained very focus this whole time,” an insider shares. “Her friends and family have been incredibly supportive of her relationship with Josh, and everyone can tell how happy they are together. Now, everyone wants to know when and where the wedding will be!”
The engagement comes a year after Baumgartner finalized her divorce from Kevin Costner in February 2024. The former couple was married for 18 years and share three children: Cayden, 17, Hayes, 15, and Grace, 14.
Engaged less than a year after the divorce was finalized, and their romance more than likely began as she was dealing with all of the divorce stuff in 2023. I mean… well played for Christine. I wonder how Costner feels about this? LOL.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Backgrid.
- “The Art of Racing in the Rain” World Premiere at the El Capitan Theater on August 1, 2019 in Los Angeles, CA Featuring: Grace Avery Costner, Kevin Costner, Cayden Wyatt Costner, Christine Baumgartner, Hayes Logan Costner Where: Los Angeles, California, United States When: 02 Aug 2019 **ONLY AVAILABLE FOR SPAIN & USA**,Image: 536804849, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: USA and SPAIN DIRECT SALES ONLY – Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Avalon.red – sales@avalon.red London: +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles: +1 (310) 822 0419 Berlin: +49 (0) 30 76 212 251, Model Release: no, Credit line: WENN / Wenn / Avalon
- Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner arrive on the red carpet of the 94th Oscars® at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, CA, on Sunday, March 27, 2022.,Image: 673507539, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: ©A.M.P.A.S. All rights reserved., Model Release: no, Credit line: Valerie Durant / Avalon
- Christine Baumgartner and Kevin Costner arrive on the red carpet of the 94th Oscars® at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, CA, on Sunday, March 27, 2022.,Image: 673541629, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: Avalon Licensing Ltd. do not claim any Copyright of the attached image WORLD RIGHTS- Fee Payable Upon reproduction – For queries contact Avalon sales@Avalon.red London +44 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles +1 310 822 0419 Berlin +49 30 76 212 251 Madrid +34 91 533, Model Release: no, Credit line: Avalon.red / Avalon
- 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*
This guy is also more age appropriate! Kevin is 70 and he won’t be able to do too much as he gets older. At least with this guy she gets to age with him at the same pace and do things at the same pace. In the end, Kevin did her a favor when he divorced her. I hope it lasts with this new guy.
Costner strikes me as the type of guy that once he’s done with you, he’s done. I think in his eyes she tried to turn over the prenup (well within her right) and she “showed” herself to him and he percieves she only cared about money, and not take accountability on his behavior being that of a self-centered ass. His friend betrayed him by hooking up with his ex. Something tells me Costner won’t allow himself to give those two a second thought while also being pissed as hell simultaneously.
Why would she have the right to try and overturn the prenup? I still don’t understand why anyone defended her during that whole situation. Because people don’t like him? And, I don’t believe for one minute that the 250K or so she was initially asking for each month was going toward those kids. It sounds like Kevin gave her whatever she wanted during the marriage and was sending money to her parents too. Doesn’t sound like a horrible guy to me.
Good for her! Costner checked out of that marriage years ago and treated her like an employee so I’m not surprised she was able to move on so quickly. I hope there wasn’t a prenup this time.
She took care of herself. Hopefully she’s gets a prenup that works better for if it all goes south again. I’m not a Costner fan and I’m surprised that no one noticed the obvious PR campaign against her during their divorce proceedings.
It was on Amber Heard, Angelina Jolie levels on Twitter and IG.
There was a lot of discussion on their divorce and his PR campaign here at celebitchy.
I did read some here and there on Celebitchy but I didn’t see anything about the campaign against her.
Good for her! Moved on and definitely over her ex.
So she is a gold digger then.?
So are her and Costner going to be neighbors now?
I knew it, I knew there was something more to this convoluted story that the public didn’t know about.
Some people are always married. They’re either married or looking for the next spouse.
Yay for her! Let costner melt in anger! Congrats Christine. Live your best life. Bad stories are gonna leak about her pretty soon if costner isnt happy 😆
I imagine Costner has moved on, but I was struck by video during the trial where he told someone that it was terrible and he loved the person on the other side. I was surprised at the vulnerability he showed. I don’t doubt she is a good mother, even Costner said so.
Lady’s got game. Played the long game. Nothing but respect if the kids are okay and I’m sure they are.
girls gotta eat and beats the hell out of a 9 to 5.