Kevin Costner, the legendary actor and filmmaker who has left a lasting mark on world cinema with roles such as Dances with Wolves and more recently in the hit series Yellowstone, is entering a new chapter in his personal life. After a difficult and highly public divorce from Christine Baumgartner, a renowned handbag designer, the 70-year-old actor seems to have once again found companionship—and perhaps love. The woman linked to him is filmmaker and author Kelly Noonan Gores, the ex-wife of billionaire Alec Gores.

The divorce from Christine Baumgartner marked the end of a marriage that lasted nearly two decades. The news broke in May 2023, when Baumgartner filed for divorce, citing “irreconcilable differences.” What followed was a long and closely watched legal battle. The process was filled with tension and disputes over wealth, custody, and financial obligations. Finally, in February 2024, the divorce was finalized. The court ordered Costner to pay $63,209 per month in child support for their three children: Cayden, now 18, Hayes, 16, and Grace, 15.

Although painful, the end of his marriage did not break the actor’s spirit. In an interview with CBS Mornings, he said openly: “I can’t wilt like a daisy. I have to go forward.” And that is exactly what he did. He focused on his children, on his artistic projects, and gradually opened his heart to the possibility of a new beginning.

That new beginning seems to have taken shape. Sources close to him reveal that Costner has begun seeing Kelly Noonan Gores, 46, best known for her documentary Heal and her work in the world of holistic wellness. Gores, who has a daughter from her marriage with Alec Gores, has built a reputation as a filmmaker, author, and advocate of health and personal growth. Their relationship reportedly blossomed in Aspen, Colorado, a place both frequent for leisure. They were even spotted together at the JAS Labor Day Experience music festival, where their closeness caught the public’s attention.

Witnesses who saw them together described a calm and joyful energy between them. Some of Costner’s friends call Kelly “exactly his type.” They share a love for nature, sports, the ocean, and even simple pleasures like walking dogs. More importantly, both understand the responsibilities of parenting, something those close to them say has brought them even closer.

Meanwhile, Christine Baumgartner has also moved on. After the divorce, she began dating financier Josh Conner, and their relationship developed quickly. Recently, Conner proposed during a romantic beachside dinner in Santa Barbara, and the couple is now engaged. For both Costner and Baumgartner, the painful ending of a long marriage has been followed by new beginnings.

For Costner, this period has been a reminder of his strength and resilience. He has always been known as a devoted father, determined to remain close to his children even during the hardest times. Throughout the divorce proceedings, he showed that no matter the financial or emotional cost, his children would remain his top priority.

Now, with whispers of a new romance, Costner seems to be rediscovering joy in his personal life. His friends describe him as cautious after such a long and painful marriage, but also open to the possibility of loving again. For a man often seen on screen as a symbol of grit and perseverance, this new chapter feels like a natural continuation of his real-life strength.

Still, reports about their relationship remain mixed. Some sources describe it as “hot and heavy,” while others insist it is still casual and in its early stages, having formed mainly through mutual friends. Costner, who has always valued his privacy despite his fame, has not commented publicly on the rumors. However, people in his inner circle admit that he is genuinely enjoying this new companionship.