Former Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem has filed for divorce from her husband of 34 years, Bryon Noem.
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When Did Kristi Noem File for Divorce?
Court records show that Kristi filed the paperwork on Monday, Sep. 28, in Hamlin County, South Dakota. This is where the couple, who were high school sweethearts, lived during her time as the state's governor.
The Noems married in 1992. They have three grown children: daughters Kassidy and Kennedy and son Booker. They are also grandparents to their daughters' children.
As PEOPLE reports, Kristi cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for the divorce. This follows President Donald Trump moving the 54-year-old Noem out of the DHS in March and assigning her a new role as Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas.
The Former DHS Secretary Has Endured Personal Scandal
Shortly after the announcement of Kristi's new role, reports said the 56-year-old Bryon participated in online fetish forums. An investigation revealed pictures of the former first gentleman of South Dakota dressed in pink hot pants and fake breasts made out of balloons.
Bryon reportedly spent $25,000 in these "bimbofication" chatrooms. They revolve around a role-playing kink centered on hyper-femininity and extreme body modification.
"I feel bad, sick that they're getting a divorce, but what else can you do?" Kristi's mother told the Daily Mail back in July.
During a March hearing in the House, Kristi was asked about a rumored affair between her and former adviser to President Trump, Corey Lewandowski. Kristi had appointed him to an unpaid adviser role at DHS.
Both she and Lewandowski have denied the allegation. However, the report on Bryon's chatroom activity included interviews with three women who interacted with him. One of them said Bryon confirmed the affair.
"I asked him about it, and his response was, 'I know. There's nothing I can do about it,'" the woman told the Daily Mail.
Bryon has not denied participating in the chatrooms. He has rejected reports that he discussed Kristi allegedly having an affair.
Kristi was sworn in as governor of South Dakota in 2019. She was reelected in 2022. President Trump selected her to lead the DHS in 2024.
