Kimberly Buffington is an American real estate professional and the former wife of actor Dennis Quaid. The Texas native married Quaid in 2004, and they welcomed twins, Thomas Boone and Zoe Grace, in 2007. Their divorce became final in 2018. Kimberly has a career of her own, and her name returned to the news in 2026 after a new child-support filing.
In this article, you’ll learn about Kimberly’s early years in Texas, her work in real estate, and her marriage to Dennis Quaid. You’ll also find out what happened when their twins faced a medical emergency, how their divorce unfolded, and what changed for the family in 2026.
From an Austin Childhood to Real Estate
Kimberly Buffington grew up in Austin, Texas, where her family built and sold homes. Her father ran a large private homebuilding firm there. She learned about homes from an early age.
She worked in several parts of the family firm, including its design team. At 20, she won a top sales award in her first year selling new homes. Her work later took her from Texas to Southern California.
Her work goes beyond showing houses. She has also held jobs in sales, marketing, ads, and design. Each skill helps in a different way. To sell a home, an agent must know the market and listen to what buyers want.
Her Real Estate Work in California
Her career in real estate spans more than 30 years. She has worked with homes in coastal areas of Los Angeles, including Santa Monica, Malibu, Brentwood, Venice, and Pacific Palisades.
She is also a licensed real estate salesperson in California. The California Department of Real Estate’s public license record lists her license as active, with an expiration date of June 3, 2028. The license was first issued in June 2004.
This is an important part of her life. She knew the housing trade long before her marriage brought fame. Homes and property have stayed central to her work.
How Kimberly Met Dennis Quaid
Kimberly met Dennis Quaid in March 2003. A mutual friend introduced them at a dinner in Austin. Quaid was already known for films such as The Right Stuff and The Parent Trap.
They married on July 4, 2004, in Montana. The wedding brought together their families. Quaid’s son Jack, from his earlier marriage to Meg Ryan, served as best man. Kimberly’s brother Blake was her attendant.
It was Quaid’s third marriage. His former wives were actress P.J. Soles and Meg Ryan. Kimberly worked in real estate, not in films. As Dennis kept acting, their family drew more public interest.
Becoming Parents to Thomas and Zoe
On November 8, 2007, Kimberly and Dennis welcomed twins Thomas Boone and Zoe Grace Quaid. A surrogate carried the babies. Both are the couple’s biological children.
The twins arrived a few weeks early. They went home after a short stay in the hospital. The family was settling in when both babies became ill.
The Hospital Emergency in 2007
Kimberly noticed signs of irritation on the babies and took them for medical care with Dennis. Doctors found staph infections, and the twins were admitted to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles for treatment.
While in the hospital, they were given 1,000 times the intended dose of heparin. Heparin is a drug that helps stop blood from clotting. Too much of it can cause severe bleeding.
The error put both newborns in danger. Doctors treated them, and they recovered. The family later spoke about how frightening those days had been. For Kimberly and Dennis, it was a crisis that changed how they viewed hospital safety.
Their Work to Improve Patient Safety
In May 2008, Dennis spoke to a U.S. House committee about drug safety. Kimberly stayed home to care for the twins. The written statement was in both their names.
The statement told what happened to Thomas and Zoe. It also asked for stronger drug safety rules and ways to cut medical errors.
In late 2008, the family reached a $750,000 settlement with Cedars-Sinai. Their case helped more people see how a drug error can harm a patient.
The Marriage, Separations and Divorce
Kimberly and Dennis were married for almost 14 years, but they went through several breaks before the divorce became final.
Kimberly first filed for divorce in March 2012. She withdrew that request after they tried again as a couple. Later that year, they separated, and Dennis filed for divorce. They reconciled in 2013, and that case was dismissed.
The next split lasted. Kimberly filed in June 2016, after 12 years of marriage. In a joint statement at the time, they said the choice was mutual and that they planned to remain devoted parents. Their divorce was finalized in April 2018.
The end of the marriage did not end their shared role as parents. They still had to make decisions about the twins’ time, school, care, and support.
What the Divorce Settlement Covered
The 2018 agreement covered both money and the twins. Kimberly was to get $2 million as a one-time spousal support payment. She was also to get $1 million in the property deal. Each sum had a different purpose.
Dennis also agreed to pay $13,750 a month in child support. The deal allowed for added support under certain income terms. The parents shared legal and physical custody, but the twins were set to spend about 75% of their time with Kimberly and 25% with Dennis.
The plan fit their lives then. It changed as the children got older.
How the Custody Plan Changed
By 2022, Kimberly and Dennis had agreed on a new schedule. The twins would spend two weeks with one parent, then two weeks with the other. That was a more even split than the 2018 plan.
The new plan also covered school rides and care when a parent was away. The family made room for the twins’ changing needs.
The New Child-Support Case in 2026
Kimberly was back in the news in May 2026 when Dennis asked a Los Angeles court to end his monthly child-support payments. Their twins were finishing high school, and the actor pointed to the terms of the 2018 agreement.
The request involved $13,750 a month. Dennis also asked the court to work out any extra support for 2026 based on the twins’ graduation dates, rather than the whole year. The agreement included an extra payment rule if his annual income passed $1.314 million.
People reported the filing in May 2026. In July, Us Weekly reported that Kimberly had been served with the legal papers. Those reports described a request before the court, not a final ruling on it.
That summer marked another change for the family. Thomas and Zoe finished high school, and both parents attended Thomas’s June graduation. They posed for family photos, even as the child-support case drew attention.
Kimberly Buffington’s Life Today
Kimberly is 55 as of November 2026. She was born on October 17, 1971, in Austin. Her career has ties to both Texas and the Los Angeles area, where her real estate work has focused for years.
She has not built a public career in film or TV. Her name appears most often in reports about her former marriage or their children. Yet her licensed work in real estate is part of her life apart from those stories.
Kimberly has not shared her current net worth. The divorce deal lists past payments. It does not show the value of all she owns or owes today.
She has kept most of her life away from the news since the divorce. Her work and family ties tell us more about her than any old red-carpet photo.
Final Thoughts
Kimberly Buffington’s life includes much more than her marriage to a famous actor. She grew up close to the homebuilding trade, built a long career in real estate, and raised two children through a frightening start to their lives.
Her marriage to Dennis Quaid ended in 2018, but their family story did not stop there. The twins grew up, the custody plan changed, and a new support case began as they left high school in 2026. Through those years, Kimberly has remained a real estate professional with a life of her own.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Kimberly Buffington do for a living?
She works in real estate. Her background includes home sales, design, and marketing. California records still list her salesperson license as active in 2026.
How old is Kimberly Buffington?
She turned 55 on October 17, 2026. She was born in Austin, Texas, in 1971.
How many children does Kimberly Buffington have?
She has two children with Dennis Quaid, twins Thomas Boone and Zoe Grace, born on November 8, 2007. Dennis also has an older son, actor Jack Quaid, with Meg Ryan.
When did Kimberly Buffington and Dennis Quaid divorce?
Their divorce was finalized in April 2018, following their last separation in 2016. They had earlier filed for divorce and later reconciled.
Did Dennis Quaid stop paying child support in 2026?
He filed a request in May 2026 to end the $13,750 monthly payments as their twins finished high school. The reports available in 2026 describe the filing, not a confirmed final court order.
You may also read: Thomas Boone Quaid: Dennis Quaid’s Son, Twin Sister and College Life.
