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Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner had a bumpy start

When the couple first met on a golf course, Costner, now 68, was rehearsing for his 1996 film, Tin Cup. Years later, they bumped into each other at a restaurant and, according to Hollywood Life, had an “on-again, off-again” relationship for several years in the early 2000s.

They broke up in 2002, with Baumgartner saying she wanted children while Costner was hesitant to add to his brood of four. He told Parade in an interview that after the split, the former model told him that she would wait for him – but not for long. When asked what made his marriage work, he said it was the “ability to say sorry”.

The dreamy wedding

The couple got married in 2004 in a private ceremony at Costner’s ranch in Aspen, Colorado. The ranch is called The Dunbar, named after his character’s role in Dances with Wolves, and is now available to rent for wedding functions.

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Country Living reported that Costner arrived in a horse-drawn carriage and his bride in a vintage green pickup truck.

The couple have three children together: Cayden Wyatt, 15, Hayes Logan, 14, and Grace Avery, 12.

Taking the business initiative

Per Country Living, Baumgartner is a former model, although there is limited information about her career. She graduated from California State University with a degree in business and developed a laptop bag label called Cat Bag Couture. In an interview with Denver Post about her business, she said she was used to travelling and when she looked for a stylish laptop bag, she found nothing to suit her needs.

Baumgartner added that she showed Costner her samples and he was supportive of her progress: “He told me I should take it to the next step and he’d help me.” According to multiple sources, the bags were even featured on Desperate Housewives, granting them that sought-after celebrity endorsement factor.

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The shock bitter split

People magazine reports that while Costner was caught off guard by the split, he was not shocked. He reportedly knew his wife was unhappy with the amount of time he was away filming for his new flick Horizon.

Hitting back at his ex, Costner accused Baumgartner of spending over US$100,000 on cosmetic surgery and said she had withdrawn cash from ATMs ahead of the split. His legal team said the withdrawals and sudden extravagant purchases showed Baumgartner had carefully planned her departure.

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As per their prenuptial agreement, Baumgartner has to leave their home 30 days after their divorce filing. Costner’s legal team has instructed her to leave by the end of July. The terms of the agreement also state that she cannot take items from the house including art, furniture and other items.

Through her legal team, Baumgartner has promised to not “strip bare” the contents of the home and has also said “no harm” would come to Costner if they split.