Kristi Noem has officially filed for divorce from her husband, Bryon Noem, after more than 34 years of marriage. Court records show the divorce was filed in Hamlin County, South Dakota, with “irreconcilable differences” listed as the reason.
The filing brings new attention to Bryon Noem, who spent decades alongside his wife as she moved from South Dakota politics to national prominence.
The couple married in 1992 and have three children, Kassidy, Kennedy and Booker, as well as multiple grandchildren, as per a report by USA Today and ABC 7 News.
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Who is Bryon Noem?
Bryon Noem has largely worked outside the political spotlight. According to the information provided, he works in the insurance industry and earned a degree in business finance from Northern State University.
Before becoming an insurance agent, Bryon coached basketball and worked on the Noem family farm.
Kristi and Bryon were high school sweethearts. In her book, Kristi wrote about how they met and how Bryon courted her. Over the years, he was often seen beside her at public events and congressional testimony.
Their marriage lasted more than three decades, during which Kristi Noem went from South Dakota politics to becoming the state’s governor and later serving as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
The divorce filing now formally ends that long chapter.
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What happened between Kristi and Bryon Noem?
The court documents list “irreconcilable differences” as the grounds for the divorce.
Kristi’s lawyer, Michael Sabers, confirmed the split in a statement.
"Kristi Noem has filed for the dissolution of her marriage to Bryon Noem. She has great faith in the South Dakota judicial system and will reserve any further comments for the legal process," the statement said.
Bryon’s legal representatives did not immediately respond to USA TODAY’s request for comment.
The filing had been anticipated for months. In July, Kristi’s mother, Corinne Arnold, told The Daily Mail that her daughter had already shared the decision with family members in the spring.
"I said: 'What's the deal? Are you going to get together again?' And she said: 'No. No. We're going to get a divorce,'" Arnold said.
The divorce also follows a Daily Mail report about allegations involving Bryon. The outlet reported that he paid adult entertainers and took part in role-playing involving women’s clothing. The report said it was based on messages, audio recordings and photographs.
After those reports appeared, a spokesperson for Kristi Noem told the New York Post that she was "devastated" by the allegations.
"The family was blindsided by this, and they ask for privacy and prayers at this time," the spokesperson said, per the outlet.
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Bryon Noem and Kristi’s political career
Bryon was frequently seen supporting Kristi during her political career. He was also beside her during her time as DHS secretary.
Kristi Noem was removed from her DHS role on March 5 following the controversy surrounding "Operation Metro Surge" in Minnesota. She was later named special envoy to the Trump administration’s "Shield of the Americas" initiative.
During her tenure as DHS secretary, Kristi also faced congressional questions about her relationship with chief adviser Corey Lewandowski. Both Noem and Lewandowski denied anything romantic about their relationship.
The divorce marks the end of a marriage that began when he and Kristi were young and continued through her rise in politics. The court filing now places their separation into the legal process, with both sides facing the next steps under South Dakota law.
FAQs
Who is Bryon Noem?Bryon Noem is Kristi Noem’s husband of more than 34 years. He works in insurance and previously coached basketball and worked on the family farm.
Why are Kristi and Bryon Noem divorcing?
Court records list “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for the divorce.
