Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner’s divorce has been playing out in the tabloids for months, with recent reports suggesting a deadlock in child support negotiations. Baumgartner, who's been married to Costner for close to two decades, is reportedly demanding nearly $250,000 in child support, an amount that Costner believes is intended not for the children, but to support her extravagant lifestyle.
Though a millionaire in her own right, Baumgartner’s $7 million net worth comes nowhere near Costner’s eye-watering $250 million, suggesting that quite a bit of the Yellowstone star's net worth went to maintaining his estranged wife’s lifestyle. So, just how much of Costner’s net worth was Baumgartner spending?
Kevin Costner And Christine Baumgartner Lived A Pretty Lavish Lifestyle
Like any other couple with a multi-million-dollar net worth, Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner's married life was the epitome of extravagance. From luxurious homes to opulent gifts and exclusive club memberships, their yearly expenditure was nothing short of extraordinary.
One of their more notable indulgences was a picturesque retreat nestled within the majestic mountains of Aspen, which came with a staggering $1,964,294.95 annual price tag.
The twosome also owned a lavish Beach House, which set them back an additional $1,178,147.16 annually.
Maintaining such extravagant properties required a team of dedicated staff, and the duo didn’t spare any expenses in this respect either.
According to court documents, the two were coughing up an extraordinary $542,303.47 for gardeners to meticulously tend to the lush gardens surrounding their homes. Their home was also littered with household help, which at a cost of $84,040.78 a year, ensured that their daily lives were effortless and comfortable.
The twosome also spared no expense when it came to gifts, showering themselves with lavish presents amounting to a jaw-dropping $830,504.51 in 2022 alone.
As if living like royalty in their sprawling mansions was not enough, Costner and Baumgartner also relished in the luxuries offered by prestigious Beach Clubs, which came with an annual price tag of $288,381.24. The duo also enjoyed golfing at exclusive clubs, with membership dues amounting to $34,434.90.
For their recreational escapades, the couple owned a luxurious boat, which incurred yearly expenses amounting to a whopping $25,806.45. The two also dedicated a staggering $21,807.67 to what was presumably a very comprehensive spa service. In addition, to maintain a physique worthy of their A-list status, the twosome deployed the services of a personal trainer, which set them back a staggering $12,851.58 in 2022 alone.
Christine Baumgartner Spent Quite A Bit Of Kevin Costner’s Net Worth
Kevin Costner's ex-wife, Christine, is no stranger to the finer things in life, and with access to Costner’s eye-watering net worth, the mother of three quickly got accustomed to living a life befitting royalty.
According to court documents obtained by PageSix, the 49-year-old jet-setted across the world on a regular basis, spending quite a bit on high-end hotels and private residences.
Baumgartner was also quite fond of cosmetic procedures, investing over $180,000 in various procedures to maintain her youthful allure. The 49-year-old also had a taste for exquisite fashion, sparing no expense to ensure that her wardrobe was a true reflection of her affluent status.
Court documents also revealed her penchant for convenience and ease, evident in the staggering $222,586 charged to her AMEX credit card in 2022 alone. The mother of three also made numerous ATM withdrawals, allowing her to have cash on hand for impulsive purchases or spontaneous adventures.
Baumgartner's financial endeavors extended beyond personal indulgences. The 49-year-old also took on construction loans, presumably for her own property projects. Attorney fees also featured in her expenditure, suggesting involvement in legal matters befitting her affluent status.
Can Christine Baumgartner Support Her Lifestyle Without Kevin Costner?
Christine Baumgartner is an avid entrepreneur, having co-founded the renowned Cat Bag Couture handbag line, and launched her own luxury handbag collection. The 49-year-old's net worth is currently estimated to be an impressive $7 million. However, despite her successful entrepreneurial ventures, the former model has admitted to being incapable of supporting the kind of lifestyle her kids had gotten accustomed to during her 18-year marriage to Kevin Costner.
Baumgartner reportedly has no income of her own, having chosen to be a stay-at-home mom since the birth of her eldest child. The 49-year-old is, therefore, demanding child support payment amounting to a staggering $248,000 a month, which she claims is "less than the amount needed to maintain the children in their accustomed lifestyle."
However, Costner has been reluctant to remit the specified amount, claiming that his ex-wife intends to use the funds for herself, and not their kids. "Christine allocates 60 percent of expenses such as private trainer, unallocated credit card expenses, and her plastic surgery to the minor children without any explanation or basis."
Costner wrote in court documents obtained by US Weekly. "The children do not use the services of private trainers, only Christine does. The plastic surgery expenses of $188,500/month belong to Christine – not the children.”
The Yellowstone star has also admitted to being incapable of paying the requested amount, claiming that the current child support arrangement, which entitles Christine to $51,490/ month is more reasonable.
The Yellowstone alum went ahead to label his estranged ex-wife’s request “astonishing,” claiming that he couldn’t “afford to pay those amounts and pay [his] living and business expenses without liquidating assets.”
As for why he’s suddenly short on cash, Costner claimed, "I will earn substantially less in 2023 than I did in 2022. This is because I am no longer under contract for Yellowstone, the principal source of my income last year. The fixed amount ‘pay or play’ and episodic compensation I received has ceased. Now, any compensation I earn from Yellowstone will derive only from my back-end contractual participation rights, which amounts are not fixed."
In the meantime, Baumgartner has declined to move out of Costner's $145 million Santa Barbara estate, claiming that she “does not have sufficient funding to secure housing that will ensure the children can maintain similar standards of living.”
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