Kevin Costner's wife files for divorce after 18 years of marriage

Kevin Costner’s 18-year marriage is coming to an end after his wife Christine Baumgartner filed for divorce.

Christine filed divorce papers on Monday, according to TMZ, citing “irreconcilable differences.”

A representative for the Oscar-winning Yellowstone star released a statement: “It is with great sadness that circumstances beyond his control have transpired which have resulted in Mr. Costner having to participate in a dissolution of marriage action,” the statement read, per TMZ.

“We ask that his, Christine’s and their children’s privacy be respected as they navigate this difficult time.”

Costner and Baumgartner married in 2004. The couple have three kids together: sons Cayden, 15, and Hayes, 14, and daughter Grace, 12. According to TMZ, both Costner and Baumgartner are requesting joint custody of their children.

It was Costner’s second marriage; he was previously married to Cindy Costner from 1978 to 1994.

Costner and Baumgartner have a 20 year age difference. Costner previously revealed that he did not want to have any more kids, but his wife gave him an ultimatum.

“Fear kept me from marrying Christine,” he told Closer Weekly in June 2018. “[She] wanted a child, but I was afraid I couldn’t be an effective father.”

“I’m going to wait for you, but not long,” Baumgartner reportedly told him. “When you come to your senses, come back to me.”

“I woke up and thought, ‘Am I going to lose a beautiful woman who is willing to be with me to my very last breath because I am afraid to say yes to a child?’” Costner said. “That’s all it took. Sometimes you learn the thing you’re most afraid of will save your life.”

Despite his initial hesitance to become a father again, Costner later said he was a very proud dad. “You get to play heroes in the movies, but there’s a moment in time where you’re just a father and you get to go home,” he told Closer Weekly. “I have played two roles in my life, one I get paid to do, which is the movies, and the other one is being a father, for which I’ll be rewarded my whole life.”

Costner is known for his roles in films including The Untouchables, Field of Dreams, JFK, and the Oscar-winning Dances with Wolves. In recent years he has starred in Yellowstone, one of the most popular shows on TV.

We’re sad to hear that Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner are divorcing after 18 years together — we wish them and their children the best during this difficult time.

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