Christine Baumgartner, the former wife of Hollywood icon Kevin Costner, has officially remarried financier Josh Connor in an intimate ceremony in Santa Barbara. This definitive guide delves into their surprising path from friendship to matrimony, set against the backdrop of a high-profile divorce and a new focus on a quieter, philanthropic life for Baumgartner.
In a development that has captured significant attention, Christine Baumgartner, widely known as the ex-wife of Oscar-winning actor Kevin Costner, has remarried. Her new husband is financier Josh Connor, with whom she exchanged vows in a private ceremony on Saturday, October 18, 2025. The event, held at the picturesque Santa Ynez Ranch, a private vineyard estate in Santa Barbara County, marked a new beginning for Baumgartner following her highly publicized divorce.
Sources with direct knowledge, as confirmed by TMZ, indicated the intimate outdoor ceremony took place right before sunset, attended by a little over 100 close family and friends. This union comes after months of speculation and a relationship that blossomed from a long-standing friendship.
The Journey to “I Do”: A Timeline of Christine and Josh’s Romance
The relationship between Christine Baumgartner and Josh Connor traces back years, with the two sharing a bond long before it turned romantic. Intriguingly, Connor was even a neighbor and friend to Costner during his marriage to Baumgartner, a detail that added a layer of complexity to their eventual romance, as reported by People.
Their connection first drew media attention in July 2023, just two months after Baumgartner filed for divorce from Costner, when they were photographed together on a vacation in Hawaii. Despite these sightings, Baumgartner publicly maintained that she and Connor were “just friends” during her divorce proceedings in August 2023, according to Us Weekly.
However, insiders suggest that the bond between them had not gone unnoticed. An insider revealed to Us Weekly in 2024 that Kevin Costner himself “had strong suspicions that something was going on between Christine and Josh. Their close [bond] was a real elephant in the room.” The relationship was officially confirmed by a friend of the couple to People Magazine in January 2024.
The couple’s commitment deepened, leading to their engagement on January 29, 2025. The proposal, a romantic affair, took place on a secluded Santa Barbara beach, nearly empty due to impending rain, as detailed in reports. This engagement set the stage for their recent nuptials.
The Nuptials: Details of the Santa Barbara Wedding
The wedding ceremony was a testament to Christine Baumgartner’s desire for a quieter, more family-focused life. She walked down the aisle in a stunning custom Mira Zwillinger gown, intricately adorned with hand-embroidered flowers, before changing into an elegant white satin Lihi Hod strapless dress for the reception. Josh Connor complemented her in a custom-tailored black tuxedo.
The setting at Santa Ynez Ranch, close to where Baumgartner grew up, provided a personal and intimate backdrop for the union of the couple and their blended families. This occasion truly marked the beginning of her new chapter away from the constant glare of Hollywood.
Who is Josh Connor? Understanding Christine Baumgartner’s New Husband
Josh Connor is a distinguished financier with over 25 years of experience in the industry. He is the founding partner of Connor Capital SB, a firm specializing in equity investments within the transportation sector. His extensive career includes roles as an investor, strategic advisor, lender, and leading banker for numerous transportation companies globally.
Connor’s professional affiliations are impressive; he is currently the Managing Director and Co-Head of the Industrials Banking Group at Barclays. He also serves on the board of directors for several notable companies, including:
- Watco Companies
- Frontier Airlines
- Copa Airlines Holdings
- U.S. Rail and Logistics
Academically, Connor holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Massachusetts’ Williams College. He is also divorced and a father to three children – two daughters, Lily and Abigail, and a son, John – from his previous marriage to Patricia, which was finalized on January 3, 2023, according to In Touch Weekly. This background highlights a shared experience of family and a focus on building a new life for both Christine and Josh.
The Backdrop: Christine Baumgartner’s Divorce from Kevin Costner
The marriage to Josh Connor follows Christine Baumgartner’s high-profile and contentious divorce from actor Kevin Costner. The couple, who married in 2004, ended their 18-year marriage when Baumgartner filed for divorce in May 2023, citing “irreconcilable differences.”
The legal battle was marked by disputes over finances, property valuation, and the validity of their prenuptial agreement. While they settled the divorce in September 2023, the finalization of their divorce was officially confirmed in February 2024. Despite the challenges, Baumgartner and Costner share three children: sons Cayden (18) and Hayes (16), and daughter Grace (15).
A New Chapter Focused on Family, Philanthropy, and a Quieter Life
With her new marriage, Christine Baumgartner is embracing a future focused on personal growth and giving back. Sources close to her confirm she is excited to continue building her life with Josh, prioritizing family, friends, and enjoying a life largely away from the intense media scrutiny of Hollywood.
Beyond her personal life, Baumgartner has dedicated significant time to philanthropy. For over a decade, and especially in the past year, she has been a staunch supporter of the Omni Peace Foundation. This non-profit, founded by a close friend, is dedicated to bringing music education to underserved children. Baumgartner recently played a pivotal role in designing and funding a “music box” in Long Beach, California, transforming a classroom into a fully equipped music space complete with instruments, art, and curriculum, empowering students to discover the transformative power of music.
Meanwhile, Kevin Costner has been focusing on his professional endeavors, including his multi-part Western epic “Horizon: An American Saga,” which, despite a mixed box office performance, found success as a streaming hit on Netflix. He has also been linked to author and director Kelly Noonan Gores, though sources describe their relationship as casual and not serious.
