Kristi Noem divorces husband six months after photo scandal

Kristi Noem, the former Secretary of Homeland Security and South Dakota governor, has officially filed for divorce from her husband of 34 years, Bryon Noem, according to court records reviewed by multiple outlets. 

The filing was submitted in Hamlin County, South Dakota, on April 6, though it wasn't posted to the online court system until this week. 

Noem cited irreconcilable differences in the paperwork and left open the possibility of seeking support.

The filing follows a scandal that emerged in late March, when the Daily Mail published a report alleging that Bryon Noem, who runs an insurance business in South Dakota, had been engaging with online fetish communities and taking photos of himself wearing women's clothing and prosthetics. 

At the time, a representative for Kristi Noem told the New York Post, "Ms. Noem is devastated. The family was blindsided by this, and they ask for privacy and prayers at the time." 

Bryon Noem did not formally deny taking or sharing the photographs but disputed allegations that he made derogatory comments about his wife.

When reached by a local news affiliate this week, he said, "I can't comment right now."

Kristi and Bryon Noem met in high school and married in 1992, raising three children together, daughters Kassidy, 32, and Kennedy, 29, and son Booker, 24. 

Bryon did not attend the August 6 unveiling of Kristi Noem's statue in Pierre, South Dakota, though she said at the time that her family, including Bryon, had supported her throughout her tenure as governor.

Kristi Noem served as South Dakota's governor from 2019 until January 2025, when she resigned to become Secretary of Homeland Security under President Trump, she was replaced in that role by Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin in March 2026 and now serves as Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas. 

Noem has previously faced public speculation about her relationship with Trump's former campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, allegations she has firmly denied, calling them in 2021 "total garbage and a disgusting lie."