Bridget Rooney’s fling and paternity issue with Kevin Costner cast her in a controversial light away from her acting career
Hollywood star Kevin Costner’s good run and impressive resume in the industry are as infamous as his personal life drama, mostly the romantic aspect. Costner has had his fair share of relationships and marriages, and the details of all these majorly played out in public. The star has also not been free of dating rumors within the industry.
Amid all of Kevin Costner’s relationship ups and downs, his short-lived romance with Bridget Rooney stands as one of the most defining moments. After news got out about Rooney’s pregnancy, she faced intense scrutiny from Costner, and this impacted the trajectory of her life in the spotlight. Here’s a dive into what transpired between the former lovers and how it transcended into her life moving forward.
Bridget Rooney’s Life After Kevin Costner’s Paternity Issue
The paternity saga between Bridget Rooney and Kevin Costner made her a person of interest in pop culture. By the early 2000s, both parties had moved on romantically with other partners. Bridget Rooney met her future husband and oil magnate, Williams “Bill” Koch, when her son was still quite young. The pair started dating not long after meeting and, in 2005, they tied the knot.
The couple had bonded over their love for tennis, and close to two decades down the line they are still going on strong. They welcomed their first and only child together, Kaitlin Koch, while blending the rest of their family. Just like Bridget, Bill fathered children from previous relationships. Bill is the founder of Oxbow Carbon Corporation, a petroleum coke and sulfur products company. According to Forbes, Bill’s net worth is valued at $1.6 billion as of 2023.
Bill Koch and his wife have also proved to be quite the power couple with their joint establishments. In 2011, the Zombie Or Not Zombie actress and Bill founded the Oxbridge Academy in Palm Beach. They are also responsible for issuing financial aids to the student body, among other philanthropic endeavors.
On Kevin Costner’s end, the Draft Day actor married his second wife, Christine Baumgartner, in 2004. The pair first met in 1996 when Costner was filming the movie, Tin Cup. At the time, Baumgartner was a model. Costner, who was once linked to Whitney Houston and Baumgartner, welcomed three children, and after 18 years, she filed for divorce in 2023.
What Happened Between Bridget Rooney And Kevin Costner?
Kevin Costner had been on the cusp of ending his 16-year marriage with his first wife and the mother of his three oldest children, Cindy Silva, when he became romantically involved with Bridget Rooney. Although the tryst was only for a few months, its aftermath lasted a lifetime. Bridget was not on the Hollywood payroll at the time, but by virtue of her family’s wealth, she got along with the A-list circle.
Bridget Rooney comes from a long line of business owners in sports. Her grandfather, Art Rooney’s influence, was pivotal in how the Pittsburgh Steelers joined the NFL. Her uncle, Dan Rooney, later became the owner of the team. Away from her family’s recognition, Bridget was known for her affair with Kevin Costner and how things went awry between them.
In 1996, the young lady who worked at a TV station in Aspen revealed that she was pregnant. However, Kevin Costner was not so keen on the news. Bridget Rooney shared her pregnancy news with New York Magazine while memorably mentioning:
“I’m 100% sure who the father is. I’m just enjoying my pregnancy.”
The actress earnestly mentioned this to shut down any rumors that she was only trying to get entangled with Kevin Costner for money. A source would later tell the news outlet that it was also Bridget’s way of showing that she was not seeking financial assistance from the Dances With the Wolves actor.
She gave birth to her baby, Liam, in November 1996. Six years later, in 2002, People reported that Bridget Rooney actively sought DNA testing to prove that Kevin Costner was the father of her child. This was due to the Yellowstone actor’s reluctance and indifference towards acknowledging that he did father a child with her. After the results came out positive, Costner set up a trust fund for Liam and paid a substantial amount into it. The Hidden Figures star was also said to visit his son “occasionally but not on a regular basis.”
Who are Kevin Costner’s seven children?:
Where Is Bridget Rooney And Kevin Costner’s Son Now?
Bridget Rooney and Kevin Costner’s son, Liam, is all grown and carving a path for himself in his chosen career. Liam did not pursue a career in his father’s chosen field. Instead, he works in real estate, actively staying away from the limelight. In several interviews, Costner revealed that he built a relationship with all of his kids. Once in an interview with mom.com, the award-winning actor alluded to how all his kids interact with each other. He also admitted that the children asked questions concerning his relationship with them. Costner noted:
“As my children interact together, there’s always this little bit of ‘Do you care for us now as much as you do them?’ I basically reminded [my older kids] that they were going to have twice as long with me on this planet… and at this point, they all just embraced each other.”
Speaking to Huffington Post in 2017, Kevin Costner shared that the singular takeaway he wanted all his children to learn from him, was how he spent quality time with them. The movie star wanted them to remember his parenting style and how he never talked down on them, and was always willing to be “on ground-level with them.” Costner added that he wanted them to also know he wasn’t afraid of anything.