Kevin Costner Admits His Long-Time Marriage Almost Didn't Happen Because Of His 'Fear' Of Having More Children

Aug 31, 2022

Kevin Costner has always captured our hearts through his actions and emotions on the big screen. A protagonist of many great love stories, some might even consider Costner to be the "king" of Hollywood romance.

Despite his recurring role as the king of love on the big screen, Costner did not have that much luck when it came to finding love in real life. After many years of trying again and again in failed relationships, the actor finally found love at 49 years old — and he has never looked back since.

Costner might have been in the spotlight for decades by now, but his early life had humble beginnings. Born on Jan. 18, 1955, in Lynwood, California, Costner was the youngest of three sons. Sadly, however, his middle brother did not survive long and passed away during childbirth. 

Growing up in Compton, California, Costner's teenage years would include frequent moving due to his father's job as an electrician for changing bosses. On top of Lynwood and Compton, the family also lived in Ventura, Visalia, and Orange County. After graduating from Villa Park High School, Costner attended California State University, Fullerton. It was in college that he picked up the acting bug. 

The star actor debuted in the film world in 1981, starring in “Sizzle Beach, U.S.A.” He went on to star in “The Untouchables,” “Field of Dreams,” “The Bodyguard,” “The Guardian,” “Hidden Figures” and many more iconic films. Costner was to his first wife, Cindy Silva, in 1978, and they divorced in 1994 after having three children. Years later, in 2004, Costner married the love of his life, Christine Baumgartner, with whom he has been married for 18 years. 

According to US Weekly, the star shared that he was in a rough place after getting divorced in 1994. “My faith was shaken. No one wants their marriage to end, and it did. You are going to see the people you love most, your children, only half as much. That’s a huge loss,” he revealed.

Costner first met Baumgartner in 2000, and the two dated for nearly two years before separating ways. In an interview with Parade in 2012, Costner shared that Baumgartner expressed they would get back together at some point in the future. “She said, ‘I’m going to wait for you, but not long. When you come to your senses, come back to me.’And I did,” he shared. 

The star admitted that fear kept him from committing to his now wife, whom he has been with for almost two decades. “Fear kept me from marrying Christine. (She) wanted a child, but I was afraid I couldn’t be an effective father,” US Weekly reported. The star actor went on to say he didn’t want to lose the love of his life. “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? That’s all it took. Sometimes you learn the thing you’re most afraid of will save your life.”

However, shortly after breaking up, the couple got back together and eventually got married in Aspen, Colorado, on Sept. 25th, 2004. 

It has been 18 years since, and the couple is still happily married with three children of their own. It took Costner years to find his true love, and now that he has, he is sure never to let her go. His secret to a successful marriage? “Maybe it’s the ability to say you’re sorry,” Costner told Parade, adding further, “I know that sounds so simple.” However, as many relationship guides and couples around the world know, often, saying sorry is the hardest task.

In an interview with People in 2020, the happy husband shared that his marriage is a large priority. "Our partnership has really come into focus about what we do for each other and how we deal with our family," he said. "Our house is like a river: You've just got to get into the flow of it," Costner said. "And whatever you thought it was going to be, maybe it still can, but it's going to have to work with what the day brings," he added. 

Being a famous actor, Costner shared that he loves working, but he also loves his life as a father. “Movies are magic, and they’ve always been magic to me. 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 said. “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.” the actor and father added. 

Can you believe that Kevin Costner almost lost the love of his life over having kids? We are so happy that the beautiful couple is happily married! If you are a fan of this actor and his family – send this to other fans of his too!