Kristi Noem is a Republican politician from South Dakota who rose from the state legislature to become the state’s first female governor and, later, the 8th U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security under President Donald Trump. Known for her hardline stance on immigration enforcement and her rural, farm-rooted background, Noem has spent nearly two decades in public office while also drawing national attention for a string of political controversies and, more recently, widely reported turmoil in her personal life. Below is a complete look at her biography, education, career timeline, family, and net worth.
Biography Table
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kristi Lynn Arnold Noem |
| Date of Birth | November 30, 1971 |
| Place of Birth | Watertown, South Dakota, U.S. |
| Age | 54 (as of 2026) |
| Parents | Ron and Corinne Arnold |
| Education | Northern State University; Mount Marty College; South Dakota State University (B.A., Political Science) |
| Political Party | Republican |
| Spouse | Bryon Noem (m. 1992) |
| Children | Kassidy, Kennedy, Booker |
| Residence | Racota Valley Ranch, near Castlewood, South Dakota |
| Political Career | South Dakota House of Representatives (2007–2011); U.S. House of Representatives (2011–2019); Governor of South Dakota (2019–2025); U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security (Jan. 2025–March 2026) |
| Current Role | U.S. Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas |
| Net Worth | Estimated $1 million–$3 million |
Early Life and Education
Kristi Lynn Arnold was born on November 30, 1971, in Watertown, South Dakota, one of four children of Ron and Corinne Arnold. She grew up on the family’s farm and ranch in Hamlin County in east-central South Dakota, where her early life centered on agriculture and small-town community life. In 1990, while a senior in high school, she was crowned Snow Queen at the South Dakota Snow Queen Festival.
Noem attended Northern State University and took classes at Mount Marty College before completing a bachelor’s degree in political science from South Dakota State University, finishing her coursework years after she first enrolled while balancing marriage, motherhood, and running the family farm.
In 1994, when Noem was 22, her father Ron died in a farming accident involving a grain bin collapse. The tragedy led her to step away from her studies temporarily to help manage the family’s farm and ranch operations alongside her husband.
Marriage and Family
Kristi Noem married Bryon Noem in 1992. The couple, who were high school sweethearts, went on to have three children together: Kassidy (born 1994), Kennedy, and Booker (born 2002). Bryon Noem, a native of Bryant, South Dakota, and a graduate of Northern State University, has worked as a crop insurance agent and farmer, and the family built a life centered on their ranch near Castlewood. Kristi Noem has often referenced her family and farm upbringing as central to her political identity, and her children have periodically appeared alongside her at campaign and public events.
In 2026, multiple outlets reported that Noem intended to divorce Bryon Noem after 34 years of marriage, following a Daily Mail report earlier in the year alleging he had exchanged messages and images with online fetish performers. Noem’s mother, Corinne Arnold, told the Daily Mail in July 2026 that her daughter had retained a divorce attorney and confirmed the split at a family gathering. Neither Kristi nor Bryon Noem has publicly confirmed a divorce filing. Separately, unproven allegations that Noem had an affair with former Trump adviser Corey Lewandowski have circulated for years; both Noem and Lewandowski have denied any romantic relationship, and Noem has publicly dismissed the claims.
Political Career Timeline
Noem’s political career began in 2006 when she was elected to the South Dakota House of Representatives, where she served until 2011. In 2010, she won election to South Dakota’s lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, defeating the Democratic incumbent, and was re-elected through 2018.
In 2018, Noem was elected Governor of South Dakota, becoming the state’s first woman to hold the office. She took office in January 2019 and was re-elected in 2022 with the largest vote total in state history, serving until early 2025.
U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security
On November 12, 2024, President-elect Donald Trump announced he would nominate Noem to serve as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, citing her record on border security, including her decision as governor to repeatedly deploy South Dakota National Guard troops to the southern border. The Senate confirmed her by a 59–34 vote on January 25, 2025, making her the 8th Secretary of Homeland Security and placing her in charge of an agency of roughly 260,000 employees.
Her tenure was marked by the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement campaign and by repeated controversy, including criticism over her handling of immigration operations in Minnesota, disputed remarks describing the deaths of two American citizens killed by federal agents as related to “domestic terrorism,” scrutiny of her management of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and DHS spending, questions about her working relationship with Republican operative Corey Lewandowski, and criticism over her handling of an internal investigation. Noem was removed from the position on March 5, 2026, becoming the first cabinet member fired during Trump’s second term. She was succeeded by then-Senator Markwayne Mullin, confirmed on March 23, 2026.
Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas
Following her departure from DHS, Noem was appointed U.S. Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas, a Western Hemisphere security initiative launched in early 2026, a role in which she continues to serve.
Books and Public Profile
Noem published a memoir, Not My First Rodeo: Lessons from the Heartland, in 2022, which reached bestseller lists. Throughout her career, she has cultivated a public image built around her ranching background, family, and Republican political values, describing herself as a rancher, farmer, and small business owner alongside her political roles.
Net Worth
Kristi Noem’s net worth is estimated in the range of $1 million to $3 million, reflecting a career spent primarily in public office rather than the private sector. Her family’s farm and ranch operations near Castlewood represent a significant share of her long-term assets. As Governor of South Dakota, her annual salary was approximately $117,000–$118,728.
FAQs
Who is Kristi Noem? Kristi Noem is a Republican politician from South Dakota who served as the state’s first female governor (2019–2025) and later as the 8th U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security (2025–2026) under President Donald Trump.
How old is Kristi Noem? Noem was born on November 30, 1971, making her 54 years old as of 2026.
Who is Kristi Noem’s husband? Her husband is Bryon Noem, a crop insurance agent and farmer whom she married in 1992. In 2026, reports indicated the couple was divorcing after 34 years of marriage.
Does Kristi Noem have children? Yes. Kristi and Bryon Noem have three children: Kassidy, Kennedy, and Booker.
Why did Kristi Noem leave the Department of Homeland Security? Noem was removed from her position as DHS Secretary on March 5, 2026, becoming the first cabinet member fired during Trump’s second term. She was succeeded by Markwayne Mullin.
What is Kristi Noem’s current role? She currently serves as U.S. Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas, a Western Hemisphere security initiative.
What is Kristi Noem’s net worth? Her net worth is estimated between $1 million and $3 million.
Did Kristi Noem write a book? Yes, her memoir Not My First Rodeo: Lessons from the Heartland was published in 2022 and reached bestseller lists.
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