In the mid-1990s, Bridget Rooney and Kevin’ Costner’s paths crossed. They became romantically involved but kept it a secret from the press. Unfortunately, the relationship between Bridget Rooney and Kevin Costner was short-lived. So, what happened to Bridget and Kevin?
Bridget Rooney is a member of the illustrious Rooney family, owners of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Palm Beach Kennel Club. On the other hand, Kevin Costner is known for his iconic roles in films like Dances with Wolves and Field of Dreams.
The beginning of a controversial romance
In the mid-90s, amidst the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, Kevin Costner found himself entangled in a whirlwind romance with Bridget Rooney. Bridget Rooney was born on 26 May 1962 in California, United States.
She is the granddaughter of the original Pittsburgh Steelers football franchise owner, Art Rooney, or the niece of Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney. Her parents are Tim Rooney and June Rooney.
Bridget found herself in a brief but passionate romance with Costner while working at a TV station in Aspen. She was 34 years old when she met Costner. Also, Bridget’s silver screen ambitions were modest.
The affair between Bridget Rooney and Kevin Costner was shrouded in secrecy and scandal. It quickly made headlines in 1996 when Bridget revealed her pregnancy. The relationship started almost immediately after Kevin Costner divorced his wife of 16 years, Cindy Silva.
Costner and Cindy Costner had three children: two daughters and a boy born in 1984, 1986, and 1988, respectively. The divorce resulted in a settlement of $80 million, making it one of the most expensive Hollywood divorces at the time (1994).
Despite the initial shock and scrutiny between Bridget and Costner about their relationship and pregnancy, Bridget stood firm. She even asserted :
I’m 110% sure who the father is. I’m just enjoying my pregnancy.
Bridget commented because she wanted to shut down any rumours she was trying to trap Costner.
The paternity dispute and the arrival of a child
Bridget’s pregnancy sparked a paternity dispute. Initially, Kevin Costner hesitated to acknowledge fatherhood. But Bridget Rooney proactively insisted on a paternity test. So, is Liam Rooney the son of Kevin Costner? Yes, six years later, a DNA test confirmed his paternity.
As a result, Costner embraced his role as the child’s father. He even set up a trust fund for him. The two marked a shift towards co-parenting and shared responsibility.
Does Kevin Costner have a child with Bridget Rooney?
Yes, they have a son known as Liam Costner, who was born in Los Angeles, California, on October 15, 1996.
After accepting paternity, Kevin Costner visited his son occasionally but not regularly. According to TheThings, they also had a custody arrangement that involved shared visitation rights, allowing both parents to spend time with Liam.
Liam’s career veered toward real estate, where he found his niche. He is a real estate agent for the Northern Palm Beach County realtor Frankel Bell Group.
Were Bridget Rooney and Kevin Costner married?
As the years passed, Bridget and Costner’s paths diverged. Liam Costner’s mother, Bridget Rooney, married William Ingraham Koch, also known as Bill Koch. Bill Koch is an American billionaire businessman, sailor, and collector born on 3 May 1940 in Kansas, United States.
His boat won the America’s Cup in 1992. Also, Bill Koch is the brother of Koch Industries CEO Charles Koch, who founded the petroleum coke and Sulphur products company Oxbow Carbon Corp. As of 2024, Bill Koch has an estimated net worth of $2 billion.
Bridget Rooney married Bill Koch in 2005 at a Colorado, United States ceremony. The couple welcomed one daughter. Their daughter was born in 2006, and they named her Kaitlin.
Is Bridget Rooney Still married to Bill Koch?
Yes, Bridget Rooney and Bill Koch are still together. Despite their 22-year age difference, the couple has maintained a strong union.
On the other hand, Kevin Costner returned to the dating scene and dated political activist Birgit Cunningham. However, the couple never married. Amidst the controversy with Bridget, Kevin Costner started living with supermodel Ellie Macpherson in 1996.
Finally, on 25 September 2004, Kevin Costner married his girlfriend of four years, model and handbag designer Christine Baumgartner, at his ranch in Aspen, Colorado. According to thelist.com, Baumgartner filed for divorce in May 2023, which was finalised on 20 February 2024.
The actor has seven children. They include three from his first marriage to Cindy Silva (Annie, Lily, and Joe), Liam Costner from his time with Bridget Rooney, and three with ex-wife Christine Baumgartner (Cayden Wyatt, Hayes Logan, and Grace Avery).
In a conversation with HuffPost about his parenting style in 2017, Kevin Costner said that he hoped the one thing his children took away from his fathering and parenting style was that he played with them.
He also admitted that he did not talk down on them, was on ground level with them, and was unafraid of anything.
Wrapping up
Bridget Rooney and Kevin Costner had a brief but romantic relationship in the mid-1990s. Their relationship was shrouded in secrecy for several years. It then became a topic for the public when Bridget announced she was pregnant in 1996 with Costner’s child. Unfortunately, Liam Costner’s parents didn’t end up together but opted for shared parenthood.
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