Kevin Costner's ex-wife says it's “bittersweet” to see her Yellowstone actor ex dating just three months after their contentious divorce was finalized.
But Christine Baumgartner thinks it could have been worse: telling a friend that the last thing she would want is some fame-seeking bimbo to come along and play mother to their kids.
Last week it was revealed that Costner, 68, and Jewel, 49, are dating next TMZ got a photo showing the couple getting very close on Richard Branson's Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands.
“Christine said she wasn't surprised Kevin moved on so quickly, but he didn't have to make it so obvious by putting his arms around her,” a close friend told DailyMail.com.
The source added that Christine is relieved that Costner isn't dating a “fame seeker” and that Jewel seems like a “down-to-earth person.”
“She said she's happy for him, but it's still not a good feeling to see your ex with someone new,” the friend said.
A close friend of Christine Baumgartner tells DailyMail.com she is 'not surprised' that ex Kevin Costner has moved on so quickly. Costner was pictured with his hands wrapped around Jewel's waist during their recent trip to the Caribbean
Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner finalized their controversial divorce in September after 19 years of marriage
Kevin Costner, 68, and Jewel, 49 (pictured over Thanksgiving weekend) are dating and have mutual friend Richard Branson, 73, to thank for their blossoming romance
The 68-year-old actor and his 49-year-old wife of 19 years were embroiled in a months-long legal war that ended surprisingly in September.
Kevin was blindsided when Christine filed for divorce in May.
Now that Costner has moved on, Christine told friends she “never imagined he and Jewel would be in a relationship, but in retrospect it makes sense.”
'They both love music, that cowboy thing. What's not to like about her? Jewel is certainly a down-to-earth person and has her own thing,” our source said.
Jewel fits Costner's type: blonde and young
'Christine said the last thing she wanted was for some fame seeker to come along and play mother to their three children. But Jewel has a son of her own, she has her own life and is not a gold digger. So that's a relief.'
Christine and Kevin share three children: Cayden, 16, Hayes, 14, and Grace, 13.
Jewel's son Kase, 12, who she shares with her professional cowboy ex-husband Ty Murray, also appeared to be traveling to Branson's luxurious island.
TMZ shared images showing Kevin's arms around Jewel's waist as she spoke into a microphone.
They seemed very flirty and were smiling from ear to ear while on the island for a tennis fundraiser for Jewel's Inspiring Children Foundation.
A source told TMZ: 'There was definitely something going on. They were flirty, and when they were together it was like they both just lit up.
“You could tell they were trying to be discreet, but anyone who saw them could tell something was going on.”
It was also reported that Jewel was “picky about who to date” but feels Kevin “qualifies” following her split from Murray in 2014.
The former couple is seen with their sons Cayden, 15; Hayes, 14; and daughter Grace, 13, in 2019. 'Christine said the last thing she wanted was for some fame seeker to come along and play mother to their three children. Jewel has a son of her own, she has her own life and is not a gold digger. So that's a relief,” the source said
Kevin and Christine, a model and handbag designer, started dating in 1998 and married in 2004 at his Aspen ranch.
It was also reported that Jewel has been 'picky about who so far' but feels Kevin 'qualifies' following her split from her cowboy ex-husband Ty Murray in 2014
Jewel fits Kevin's type: blonde and young. He has also romanced blondes Elle Macpherson, Joan Lunden and Cheryl Teigs, and of course his ex-wife Christine.
In July, Christine was evicted from the couple's $145 million mansion and moving vans were seen outside.
In her testimony on the first day, Christine said she needed more money to provide a suitable home for their three children.
She said her $40,000-a-month rent in Montecito did not compare to that of the family home and complained that her sons would have to share a bathroom.
During his testimony, Kevin apologized to his estranged wife, saying, “I want to help, but the thought of things being so blown up that I can't do what I want to do… Somehow we haven't made it in this unusual world and therefore, I'm sorry.'
The court also heard details of the family's lavish spending – which totaled $240,000 per month in 2022.
The expenses include $40,000 spent on flowers and gifts every month alone, although Kevin's forensic accountant Tracy Katz pointed out that this amount applies to the entire family, including Christine.
The couple settled and it will likely be similar to the one Kevin previously offered in a June 30 letter that would have paid her $75,000 a month in child support.