Christine Baumgartner, Kevin Costner’s former wife, is set to marry the actor’s financial friend, Josh Connor

Hollywood star Kevin Costner‘s ex-wife, Christine Baumgartner, is reportedly engaged to the actor’s former financier friend, Josh Connor.

This comes more than a year after Costner settled his divorce from Baumgartner after a messy court battle.

Kevin Costner has since spoken out about his split from Christine Baumgartner, noting that he felt “

A source confirmed the news to People Magazine, saying the duo’s engagement took place during what Baumgartner thought was a simple romantic dinner.

“It was about to rain, so almost no one else was on the beach when Josh got down on one knee,” the source said about the engagement.

The couple’s close friends weren’t surprised by the occasion, as the source notes that “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.”

Baumgartner and Connor first sparked romance rumors after being seen together in Hawaii in July 2023. By January 2024, it was confirmed that they were dating.

“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,” an insider told the news outlet. “They’re so in love. It’s been a very natural and positive step forward for Christine.”

The Blast previously reported that Baumgartner and Connor had hoped to marry soon and take their relationship to the next level.

The two were romantically linked even before Baumgartner finalized her divorce from Costner. However, despite the duo being spotted together before the end of her marriage, Baumgartner denied dating Connor during that period.

“Josh knows he can give her what Kevin didn’t, even though he is a high-powered executive with his own demanding career,” an insider told theDaily Mail.

They added, “He also knows how important her children are to her – as his are to him. Trying to blend two families isn’t easy, but she’s worth it.”

In June 2024, during an appearance on CBS Mornings, Costner candidly discussed his divorce from Baumgartner.

The two share three children, Cayden Wyatt, 17, Hayes Logan, 15, and Grace Avery, 14, whom Costner continues to support with monthly child support payments.

According to the two-time Academy Award winner, the loss of his marriage took an emotional toll on him.

He described the divorce as “a crushing moment,” adding, “It’s powerful and it hurt.”

Although Costner didn’t specify how long he mourned, he revealed that the key to moving on was his need to be there for his children, knowing they are “looking at” him.

“I have to go forward, I have to continue to be who I am and keep a special eye on who they are,” the 69-year-old added, per Page Six.

In an interview with People magazine, Costner disclosed that his greatest fear about divorce became a reality when he divorced Baumgartner.

Despite their bitter and expensive divorce, the actor described his ex-wife as a “good mother and good partner.”

However, he admitted he was sad that he and Baumgartner “just weren’t able to go the distance” in their marriage.

“That was my fear, and so I’m kind of living with that right now. But that’s life,” Costner added.

During the divorce, Baumgartner had requested a child support allowance of over $100,000. However, the judge slashed it to $63,000.

Additionally, the judge upheld the prenuptial agreement she signed at the start of her marriage to the actor, which detailed that she would receive $1.5 million upon her divorce from Costner.

A court filing listed the precise date of Baumgartner and Costner’s separation as April 11, 2023.

Since the split, Costner has not yet dated any other woman. However, he has been romantically linked to singer Jewel, Jennifer Lopez and Sharon Stone.

Following his 70th birthday, a source told People Magazine that he “is not seriously involved with anyone and not necessarily looking for anything more than that right now.”

“Kevin is cool, real, and in some ways old-school in his thinking. He has a lot of interests and loves being busy when he is in that mode,” the insider added.