The Hollywood star Kevin Costner is opening up about why he still feels “lucky” after overcoming a difficult public divorce last year.
Costner’s wife of 18 years Christine Baumgartner allegedly “blindsided” him when she filed for divorce in May of last year, according to Daily Mail. Their divorce played out publicly and got nasty at times before it was finally finalized back in February.
Costner Still Feels ‘Lucky’ After ‘Tough Times’
While appearing on The View on Monday, Costner got reflective about feeling “lucky” even after going through some “tough times” as of late.
“I have had life take some bites out of me…I know I’m just a person, but who am I going to be?” said Costner, 69. “And one of the things I need to do is maybe not think about myself too much. These tough times have been more a moment for me to look outward and make sure the people around me are all right.”
“Because I know I’m bruised, I know where I’m at, I’ve been really lucky, really lucky in my life,” he continued. “That doesn’t mean I haven’t been bruised, I’ve taken some big bites out of life, and life has taken some really big bites out of me, and I think I know who I want to be in the movies, and I think I know who I need to be in my life.”
Related: Kevin Costner Desperately ‘Trying To Get’ Ex Back After She ‘Blindsided’ Him With Divorce Filing
Costner’s Life As A ‘Single Father’
Fox News reported that Costner and Baumgartner, 50, are parents to three children: Cayden, 17, Hayes, 15, and Grace, 14. Costner is also a father to four adult children from previous relationships. While talking to the hosts of The View, most of whom have children themselves, Costner admitted that he never thought he’d end up as a “single father.”
“Well, you would be shocked, but my life is very much like yours,” he explained to the female hosts. “I’m like living on a freeway, I think I’m an Uber driver. I might as well be one. I’m a single father … that wasn’t how I drew it, but that’s where it is.”
Check out Costner’s full comments on this in the video below.
Costner’s Bitter Divorce
This comes after a difficult year for Costner as his divorce from Baumgartner played out painfully in the public eye.
“She didn’t really give Kevin an opportunity to try and fix things,” one source told US Weekly of the split. “It was very painful but I believe Kevin’s moved on.”
Things got even worse when Baumgartner started dating the couple’s former friend, the financier Josh Connor, 49. From the time she filed, there was speculation that Baumgartner had started dating Connor. Though she initially denied this, she confirmed the new romance last month, according to Yahoo News.
“Kevin saw how fast Christine moved on, and it’s hurtful, but he’s gotten past it,” the insider continued. “He wished they could have worked things out.”
Related: Kevin Costner Becomes Emotional At Cannes After Ex-Wife Confirms Romance With Family Friend
Costner Working On Horizon
As he moves on from this divorce, Costner is also keeping himself busy with his Hollywood career. The first two installments of his four-part western film series Horizon: An American Saga are set to premiere this summer. Filming for the third film began earlier this month.
Even with the hectic nature of this film schedule, however, Costner is focused on what matters most to him: his family.
“I’ve had an incredibly unusual, and for the most part, beautiful life,” he told People Magazine this week. “[My kids] know that I have this chosen work, but honestly, I’m really clear about where my responsibility absolutely lies at the end of the day.”
“What I can say is I’ve had an amazing life,” he concluded. “I’ve been bruised, but I’ve had an amazing life, and I’m grateful for that.”
Divorce is never easy, especially when there are children involved. Costner’s story can serve as an inspiration to others who are going through similar struggles in life right now. Even in the tough times, it’s important to never forget what’s really important in life!
More About:Celebrity