Kevin Costner Expresses Gratitude on 68th Birthday: He'll Forever Be Devoted to 7 Kids Who Keep Him Young

• In his late 60s, Kevin Costner values daily with his wife, 18 years, and seven kids.

• "Yellowstone" actor was afraid to become a dad after 50, but his love for his wife helped him to overcome all his fears.

• On his 68th birthday, he shared an emotionally thankful post.

Kevin Costner, best known for titles like "Silverado," has had a busy career in Hollywood, appearing in many movies and television shows through his 45-year stint in the entertainment industry.

Now, he is in his late 60s and beginning to slow his career, and indeed his life in general, to a more manageable pace. He has built a wonderful family and is still in love with his wife of eighteen years.

Yesterday, Costner celebrated his 68th birthday and marked the occasion by sharing a post on Instagram. In the caption, he thanked everyone for their birthday wishes to him and said getting older allowed you to get better with time and that "each passing year is a gift." The photo he shared was of himself in a cowboy hat, smiling.

The Real Reason Costner Values His Life So Much

Costner was first married to his college sweetheart, Cindy Silva. Together they welcomed three children but divorced in 1994. He then had an affair with Bridget Rooney, and their relationship resulted in one child.

He is now married to Christine Baumgartner, and they have welcomed three children. Costner is the father of seven children from three women and jokes that there is no age when you stop raising your children; it is an ongoing ordeal.

While he has had a life that not many would understand, Costner realizes that he has been lucky to have the experiences he has and make the mistakes he has because they have led him to where he is.

Talking about how he views his life and what it meant to him to make mistakes and be grateful for the experiences, he said:

"The only thing I can do with my regrets is to understand them. When I see my children, when I see the people who value me, I know how lucky I am. I think, 'Where did all that luck come from?' And so I give thanks for the life I've lived."

Costner then said that he would like to live forever, even though he knew he couldn't do so. He confirmed that while he wishes to be immortal, he does not fear death at all. However, he does have one fear.

When talking about not being afraid of death or what might come after it, Costner said his only fear was that he wouldn't be able to raise his children. He wants to be there for his children throughout their childhood and early adulthood.

He confessed that when he prayed, he prayed that he would be the one who would raise his three youngest children. The actor said that he is abundantly proud of all of his children and only wants to be there for them whenever they need him.

Costner has always expressed his love for life and attributes much of that to his children. He said that when he thought about death and being unable to be around for his then-young children, he got down on the floor with them and played.

Now that his children have grown up, he doesn't have to do that much anymore, but he said he was grateful that he got a second chance at being a husband and father when he married Baumgartner.

He and his current wife met on vacation but began their relationship six years later. He had three children then but knew that he would bring more children into the world with her at his side.

Costner Beat His Fears of Being an Old Dad

Although Costner is besotted with his children and loves being a father, he was nervous about welcoming children later in life. He became a father of five at 52 and shared his concerns with the public.

He said he hoped he would have as much energy for his fifth child as he had for his first and was conscious of the fact that he might pass away before he got to coach his child in life or see him meet all his milestones.

When asked what he had learned about being a good parent during his 22 years of fatherhood, Costner joked:

"I can fake like I'm asleep longer, so I don't have to do as many diapers."

The actor admitted that he didn't marry his current wife for years because he knew she wanted children, and he was unsure whether or not he would be able to be the kind of father that their children would need.

The couple broke up because of this, but Baumgartner told him she would wait for him to come to his senses. She warned that she wouldn't wait long. Eventually, he returned to her, and the pair tied the knot and completed their family.

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