Kevin Costner Says He’s Open to Falling in Love Again: ‘Not Going to Let Anything Harden My Heart’

Kevin Costner is embracing life and love with resilience, even amid personal challenges. In a heartfelt interview with PEOPLE, the 69-year-old actor and filmmaker reflected on navigating his divorce from Christine Baumgartner, prioritizing his children, and staying open to new possibilities.

Costner shares custody of his three youngest children — sons Cayden, 17, Hayes, 15, and daughter Grace, 14 — and emphasizes the importance of staying engaged with their lives. “You just keep talking, you keep coaching [the kids], you keep interested in what they’re interested in … I had to,” he explains.

Despite the emotional toll of the split, Costner remains optimistic about romance. When asked if he could see himself falling in love again, he says, “Yeah, I think everybody would like to be in love. There’s such a good feeling that’s associated with that… I love the idea of that possibility.” He adds that he won’t let life’s challenges “harden my heart.”

Costner has also poured energy into his creative pursuits, including Horizon: An American Saga, a Western epic set to premiere its first chapter on June 28. To bring his passion project to life, he personally invested $38 million and even mortgaged property. Reflecting on his journey, he notes, “I’ve taken some really big bites out of life, and life has taken some really big ones out of me, and I’ve never let it harden me.”

Ultimately, his children remain his priority. “It’s really about the children,” Costner says. “I am still teaching my kids. And by the way, I’m still learning.”

For the full story, grab the latest issue of PEOPLE, available on newsstands Friday.