LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Kevin Costner's estranged wife, Christine Baumgartner, reportedly filed for divorce last week because she was "unhappy" with his hectic work schedule. In the midst of the couple's 18-year separation, a family source tells People that even though the 'Yellowstone' actor, 68, "knew" Christine, 49, was "unhappy," her filing for divorce came as an "unpleasant surprise."
A source close to the family told People on Monday, May 8, that, amid their separation, "Christine wants them to spend family time at their Santa Barbara home." "During filming, Kevin is not around very much. His absence has been very hard for her," the source added. "Christine doesn't want him to throw himself into another project," the insider claimed.
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'She wasn’t happy about it'
The source claimed the actor was "obsessed" with his upcoming movie, 'Horizon,' which was filmed in southern Utah from August to November 2022, despite being aware of his wife's discontent. The insider strictly stated, "She wasn’t happy about it."
The outlet was informed by a second insider in the film industry that Costner's job has periodically "taken precedence over his home life." The source further added, "Kevin hasn’t been home very much for quite some time due to filming, the popularity of ‘Yellowstone,’ and the time necessary for his other projects. He has been in demand." Due to Costner's prominent position in the popular Western drama series, the insider claimed that he has been in high demand.
"All of this success and excitement over the new project probably took his attention away from his family more than he realized. Since it didn't look like that would change and likely could get worse, it caused tension at home," the media source explained.
Kevin Costner's workaholism spelled 'relationship disaster'
This divorce occurred not long after Baumgartner allegedly requested Costner to leave the popular television show 'Yellowstone' because his demanding work schedule was negatively affecting their family. In October 2022, one of her friends told RadarOnline that "it's knocked a hole in their family life. She wants a firm commitment this is his last season — or he might have to hit the dusty trail!" The 'Bodyguard' star, who often gets known as a workaholic, disregarded Baumgartner's ultimatum and carried on with his busy schedule.
Relationship experts told FEMAIL that being career-obsessed may be just as damaging to a relationship as more blatant betrayals like adultery. According to British dating expert Tina Wilson, those who "consciously put their careers first," like Hollywood celebrities, risk "relationship disaster" when they do not "compromise and prioritize" their partner. According to FeedMeFemale creator Hope Flynn, having a workaholic tends to make it seem like they are prioritizing their job over their relationship. Kate Mansfield, a relationship counselor, stressed that dating a famous individual or actor will always need sacrificing your romantic time, as per MEAWW.
Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner's tumultuous marriage
Kevin and Christine separated on April 11; last week, Christine filed for divorce, alleging "irreconcilable differences." According to a source who later spoke to Page Six, Costner, 68, was "very surprised" when she filed. The Golden Globe winner has no desire to get divorced. He genuinely loves his 49-year-old wife, whom he refers to as Chris, and he treasured having more time with the family during the lockdown, per sources.
Since then, Baumgartner has been shown with daughter Grace and out and about sans her wedding band. Since the divorce became widely known, Costner has kept a low profile, but the day before his wife filed, he was seen grinning and wearing his wedding ring. Costner and Baumgartner started dating in 1999, and they got married in 2004. Cayden, 16, Hayes, 14, and Grace, 12, are the three children the ex-couple share; each parent asked for joint custody.
