Kevin Costner was initially hesitant about having more children in his 50s. Despite already being a father to four kids from a previous marriage, he and his second wife, Christine Baumgartner, decided to expand their family. They had three children together after getting married in 2004.
Recently, Kevin and Christine have ended their 18-year marriage. The couple shares three children, and their decision to part ways marks a significant change for the family.
Kevin’s fear of expanding his family came true, as his second wife has filed for divorce. Despite their split, the family’s bond and their shared interests remain an important part of their lives.
Kevin Costner, famous for movies like “Dances with Wolves” and “The Bodyguard,” has seven children. Despite his success as an actor, he had concerns about having more kids in his 50s. His wife, Christine Baumgartner, who is 19 years younger than him, wanted to have children.
In a 2008 interview, Kevin admitted, “I was afraid I couldn’t be an effective father.” His initial worries about expanding his family were a big concern for him at the time.
Kevin Costner realized he didn’t want to risk losing his wife, Christine, due to his fear of having more children. He decided to overcome his hesitation and embrace fatherhood once more. At 52, he welcomed his fifth child, Cayden.
Kevin was thrilled to be a father again, but he had some worries. In a 2007 interview with People, he expressed his concern: “My fundamental fear is that my new baby, someone else will raise him … I won’t get to coach him in what I think it is to be a man.” Despite these fears, Kevin was eager to be involved in his child’s life.
Actor Kevin Costner and his wife Christine Baumgartner with their son Cayden at Daytona International Speedway on July 5, 2008, in Daytona Beach, Florida. | Source: Getty Images
Despite his worries, Kevin makes sure to spend quality time with his children. He plays with them and teaches them to be independent, just like any other parent trying to navigate parenthood.
Kevin also shared some funny advice about what he’s learned from being a dad for decades. He joked:
Kevin Costner’s family includes seven children from both his marriages. Here’s a look at his kids:
From His First Marriage to Cindy Silva:
After his first marriage ended, Kevin admitted that his faith in relationships was “shaken” due to the breakdown of his first marriage. He said, “No one wants their marriage to end,” and the experience had a significant impact on him. Despite these challenges, Kevin has worked to be a devoted father to all his children.
Kevin Costner has seven children from different relationships. Here’s a look at his kids:
From His First Marriage to Cindy Silva:
1. Annie Costner** – Born in 1984, Annie is Kevin’s eldest child. She has acted in movies like *Dances With Wolves* and co-founded a film company called Sound Off Films in 2014.
Kevin has mentioned that not being able to see his children as much as he wanted has been a difficult adjustment for him.
Lily Costner, born in 1986, is Kevin Costner’s second child and a talented singer like her dad. Joe Costner, born in 1988, works in the entertainment industry as an audio engineer and production sound mixer.
Kevin also has a less-known son, Liam Costner, born in 1996 from a short relationship. Liam prefers to stay out of the spotlight.
In 2004, Kevin married Christine, and they had a son named Cayden Wyatt Costner in 2007. They had another son, Hayes Logan Costner, in 2009. Both boys like music and sports.
Lily Costner, born in 1986, is Kevin Costner’s second child and a talented singer like her dad. Joe Costner, born in 1988, works in the entertainment industry as an audio engineer and production sound mixer.
Kevin also has a less-known son, Liam Costner, born in 1996 from a short relationship. Liam prefers to stay out of the spotlight.
In 2004, Kevin married Christine, and they had a son named Cayden Wyatt Costner in 2007. They had another son, Hayes Logan Costner, in 2009. Both boys like music and sports.
The divorce news has received mixed reactions, with some expressing disappointment, while others suppose it’s beneficial for his wife, given that Kevin is significantly older than her.
While many people reserved their judgments about the shocking revelation of their separation, countless onlookers shared their opinions. One user wrote:
“Yep, he is too old for her anyway! Good for her! You old people have to learn the hard way!”
I Noticed Something Odd About the Bride at My Best Friend’s Wedding – When I Lifted Her Dress, Everyone Was Left in Shock
Weddings are supposed to be filled with joy, but as I watched Shanize approach the altar, a knot formed in my stomach. Something was wrong, and I couldn’t ignore it. When I finally stepped forward to lift her gown, the truth I found left me frozen in shock.
I’ve known Dave for over 30 years. We grew up together, shared secrets, and laughed through awkward teenage years. So, when he told me he was getting married to Shanize, this stunning, graceful woman he met a year ago, I was thrilled for him.
Honestly, I didn’t think anyone could ever tie him down, but here we were on his wedding day.
Groom standing at the altar | Source: Midjourney
The ceremony was perfect — almost too perfect. Shanize looked like she had stepped right out of a bridal magazine, her long white dress gliding down the aisle. I should’ve been lost in the beauty of it all, but something wasn’t right.
At first, I thought it was just nerves. Weddings are nerve-wracking, right? But as Shanize took one step, then another, I noticed her walking oddly. It wasn’t the poised, confident bride’s walk you’d expect. Her steps were small, unsure, almost as if she was stumbling.
Bride walking down the aisle | Source: Midjourney
I leaned over to whisper to Dave’s sister, Heather.
“Do you see that?” I murmured, trying to keep my voice low.
Heather frowned, glancing at the aisle. “See what?” she asked, oblivious.
“Shanize,” I said, gesturing subtly with my chin. “She’s walking weird. Like… like something’s wrong.”
Heather squinted and then shrugged. “You’re overthinking it. She’s just nervous, Janice. I mean, it’s a big day.” She gave me a reassuring smile, but it didn’t calm the uneasy feeling bubbling inside me.
Ladies having a conversation | Source: Midjourney
Maybe. But something about the way Shanize’s dress moved gnawed at me. Was her dress too tight? Had something happened before the ceremony? I tried to push the thoughts away, but as she got closer to the altar, I couldn’t ignore it anymore. Her steps weren’t just slow; they were almost labored.
I leaned over again, unable to resist. “Heather, I swear something’s off.”
“Janice, stop it,” Heather whispered, her tone sharp. “You’ll ruin the moment. Don’t make a scene.”
I looked back toward the altar. Dave was standing there, his eyes sparkling with love. When our eyes met, he gave me a thumbs-up and mouthed, “Can you believe it?”
Happy groom at his wedding | Source: Midjourney
I forced a smile back at him, nodding, but inside, something wasn’t sitting right.
The closer Shanize came to the altar, the more unsettled I felt. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who noticed.
“She’s gliding!” someone whispered behind me, a man’s voice laced with amusement. Something about that comment chilled me to my core. I leaned in toward Heather again, my voice barely above a whisper. “Did you hear that? Gliding? That’s exactly it. She’s not walking right.”
“Janice, for God’s sake,” Heather hissed, her patience thinning. “You’re going to embarrass Dave. Stop acting like this!”
Young women at a wedding | Source: Getty Images
But I couldn’t stop. As Shanize drew nearer, I squinted at her feet, trying to make sense of it. The flow of her dress was unnatural. I couldn’t take it anymore. My body moved before my mind could catch up.
“I have to check,” I muttered, stepping forward. I heard Heather’s sharp intake of breath as I edged past her, my eyes locked on the bride.
“Janice!” Heather hissed behind me, her voice tight with panic. But it was too late. I was already there.
Woman standing near the church altar | Source: Midjourney
My heart pounded, and my hands trembled as I reached out. The world seemed to slow down as I bent over and lifted the hem of Shanize’s gown just a few inches. I wasn’t even sure what I expected to see — maybe some malfunction with her shoes or a wardrobe mishap. But what I found defied all logic.
The entire church fell into stunned silence.
Congregation at a wedding | Source: Midjourney
Underneath the beautiful white gown was something so out of place and shocking that my mind went blank for a second. Men’s shoes. Large, polished men’s shoes.
I blinked, half convinced I was hallucinating. I glanced up, but no one moved. No one breathed. Shanize — no, this person — didn’t react, but I did. I knelt down further and looked closer. My stomach churned as I noticed the fabric of the suit pants, slightly hidden by the dress. And then, my eyes darted upward to the face.
That’s when I realized.
This wasn’t Shanize.
Man dressed as a bride | Source: Midjourney
It was a man. A man in a wig, a veil covering most of his features, but now that I was up close, I could see the truth. My throat went dry. I stood, my hands trembling at my sides, and met Dave’s eyes.
“Janice…?” Dave’s voice wavered, his happiness crumbling into confusion as he watched me. “What’s going on?”
I didn’t know how to answer him.
For a moment, no one moved. The entire church was frozen, mouths agape, eyes locked on the man standing at the altar, dressed as the bride. The weight of what I’d uncovered hung in the air like a bomb waiting to explode.
Man dressed as a bride | Source: Midjourney
Dave’s face was pale, his eyes wide, darting between me, the man in the wedding dress, and the confused guests. He staggered backward, nearly tripping over his own feet.
“What… What the hell is this?” His voice cracked, thick with disbelief.
The guests started whispering, their voices like a swarm of bees filling the room.
The man in the dress — the fake Shanize — stood tall, a smirk spreading across his face. Slowly, deliberately, he reached up and pulled the veil from his head, letting it drop to the ground. The wig came off next with a flourish, revealing short, dark hair. The transformation was complete, and the church erupted in confused chatter.
Man dressed as a bride standing at the altar | Source: Midjourney
“Surprise,” he said, his voice filled with smug satisfaction. “You didn’t even notice, did you?”
Dave blinked, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. “Where’s Shanize?” he demanded, his voice barely holding together. “Where is she?!”
The man — Dave’s best man — chuckled, shaking his head. “She’s gone, Dave. Left days ago. But don’t worry, she knew about this. She’s the one who asked me to do it.”
The murmurs in the church grew louder, and I could hear people shifting uncomfortably in their seats. I stood there, numb, unable to process what I was hearing. Dave’s best friend — the one standing there in Shanize’s wedding dress — had been in on this?
Man dressed as a bride | Source: Midjourney
Dave’s face twisted in confusion and anger. “What the hell are you talking about? What did you do to her?” His voice rose in panic as he stepped forward, his fists clenched. “Where is she?!”
The best man held up a hand, signaling for calm, though his eyes glinted with triumph. “Oh, she’s safe. Don’t worry. But she wanted you to feel this moment, Dave. She wanted you to know what it’s like to be blindsided.”
Dave’s confusion deepened. “What are you talking about?”
Confused groom standing at the altar | Source: Midjourney
The best man smiled a cold, sharp smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “She found out, Dave. About you and Vanessa.” His voice dropped to a near-whisper, the words dripping with malice. “The bridesmaid you’ve been sneaking around with? Shanize knew.”
The air left the room. Dave’s face drained of all color, his eyes wide with horror. “No… no, that’s not… That’s not true.”
“Oh, but it is,” the best man interrupted, his tone vicious. “She found out a few days ago. She could’ve called off the wedding, but where’s the fun in that? No, she wanted to make sure everyone saw who you really are.”
A man dressed as the bride standing at the altar | Source: Midjourney
I felt my knees weaken, and I gripped the back of a pew for support. My mind raced. Dave? Cheating on Shanize with one of the bridesmaids? I glanced over at Vanessa, sitting just a few rows away. Her face was pale, her hands trembling as she stared at the floor, unable to meet anyone’s eyes.
Dave shook his head frantically. “No, no, this isn’t happening.”
But the best man stepped forward, his voice rising with each word. “This is happening, Dave! You betrayed her! You threw away your chance at happiness for a cheap fling, and now you’re paying for it.”
Man dressed as the bride standing next to the groom | Source: Midjourney
The room erupted in chaos. Guests were talking over each other, shouting questions, trying to piece together what had just happened. Some stood, ready to leave, while others stared in disbelief at the man in the wedding dress, still standing proudly at the altar.
Dave’s eyes were wild with panic as he looked at me as if I could somehow save him from this nightmare. “Janice,” he gasped, reaching out toward me. “Please, you have to believe me. This isn’t what it looks like!”
I stared back at him, my heart breaking. “Dave… what have you done?”
Disappointed young lady | Source: Midjourney
The church fell silent again, and the best man’s cold voice cut through the air like a knife. “This is your punishment, Dave. For what you did to her.”
And with that, he turned on his heel, leaving Dave standing there alone — shattered, exposed, and utterly broken.
Confused groom | Source: Midjourney
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