LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Kevin Costner’s estranged wife Christine Baumgartner has decided to take necessary schooling and “enter the workforce” after a Santa Barbara judge slashed her child support amount to half.
During the ruling on Friday, August 31, Judge Thomas Anderle slashed the amount the ‘Yellowstone’ star needs to pay to his estranged wife in half. While initially, Costner, 68, was ordered to pay $129k, in the latest hearing, the amount was reduced to $63k.
Criticizing the ruling as a “complete joke,” Baumgartner admitted she intends to join the workforce after upgrading her skills.
She said, “I will look into the steps I need to take and any schooling I need to do, and I will enter the workforce,” while remarking that she fully intends to support herself during the split, per New York Post.
Christine Baumgartner’s work history so far
Baumgartner, 49, is a graduate in business studies from California State University in Fullerton. She made good use of her business degree as she is also a handbag entrepreneur.
The mother-of-three is known for her fashionable yet functional handbags under the label Cat Bag Couture, which are available online as well as in boutiques like Hidden Jewel in Aspen.
In 2005, some of her handbags appeared on a few episodes of ‘Desperate Housewives’.
She shared with Denver Post in 2005, "I didn’t start because I loved handbags; I started because I was missing something...I use a computer quite a bit and travel a lot," as quoted in Cosmopolitan.
She continued, “I looked for a computer bag, and they functioned, but I didn’t find anything that was right for me."
The estranged star wife shared how Costner was supportive of her work, saying, "When I came up with some samples, I showed them to Kevin, and he said they were beautiful and amazing.”
She continued, "He told me I should take it to the next step and he’d help me. I’ve always loved fashion and style, and if you can mix it with function, it’s perfect."
Baumgartner’s work portfolio does not only include being a designer but also walking as a model. She has also done some modeling assignments, per Brides.com.
Baumgartner graced showbiz as well as she appeared as herself on a number of television shows and documentaries like 'Primetime', 'Biography', 'Die Johannes B. Kerner Show', 'Inside Edition', 'Entertainment Tonight', and 'Extra'.
What is Christine Baumgartner’s net worth?
Per The Things, the handbag designer is a millionaire and is worth around $7 million. Meanwhile, her Hollywood hotshot estranged husband is worth a staggering $250 million.
Christine shocked at being portrayed as a 'greedy gold-digger'
As the judge halved the child support amount, a source close to Baumgartner told Daily Mail, “Christine is shocked. She said even Kevin looked shocked. Everyone looked shocked.”
Sharing to the news outlet that Baumgartner was beyond disappointed, the source added, “Christine said they (Kevin and his lawyers) painted the picture of this shallow, greedy gold-digger and that if Kevin could get past his anger and revenge, he would see how this is hurting their kids.”
The handbag designer was also asked during the court session whether she wants to go back to working. She said that she has gone as far as to “explore” the idea while adding that she “already has a full-time job,” that is “being a mother to their three children.”
Baumgartner's friend lashed out, “Christine said Kevin is under the illusion that she wants a free ride out of their divorce, so she doesn't have to work a day in her life,” before adding, “However, he seems to have forgotten that she already has a full-time job, it's called being a mother to their three children.”
They also added, “She said if anyone is playing games and making character attacks, it's Kevin, not her,” while noting that Baumgartner feels “being a full-time mother pales in comparison to being a famous actor.”
The estranged couple share three children together - Cayden, 16, Hayes, 14, and a daughter Grace, 13.
She is reportedly moving into a Montecito, California home at a rent of $40,000 per month.