Kristi Noem Bio, Age, Height, Husband, Family, Career, Net Worth
Kristi Noem is an influential American politician and public figure known for her leadership in conservative politics and, as of 2026, her role as U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security. She rose from ranching roots in South Dakota to statewide office as the first female governor of that state and then to a senior position in the federal government, gaining national attention for her policy positions and political style.
Quick Facts
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kristi Lynn Noem (née Arnold) |
| Nick Name | Kristi |
| Profession | U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security; former Governor; rancher; author |
| Birth Date | November 30, 1971 |
| Age | 54 years 1 month old |
| Birth Place | Watertown, South Dakota, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Known For | First female Governor of SD; no-lockdown COVID policy; 2025 DHS Secretary |
| Ethnicity | Norwegian descent; Revolutionary War ancestor Ephraim Wilson |
| Zodiac Sign | Sagittarius |
| Height & Weight | 5 ft 7-8 in (≈170-173 cm) ≈ 128 lb (58 kg) |
| Hair Color | Blonde |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Qualification | B.A. Political Science – South Dakota State University (2012) |
| Religion | Christianity (evangelical) |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | Bryon Noem (m. 1992) |
| Children | 3 – Kassidy, Kennedy, Booker |
| Family Tree | Daughter of Ron & Corinne Arnold; 3 siblings; 4th-gen ranch family |
| Hobbies | Pheasant hunting, horseback riding, rodeo, writing, snowmobiling |
| Current Work | 8th Secretary of Homeland Security (2025-present) |
| Years Active | 2006 – present (elected office) |
| Net Worth | ≈ $5 million (2026 est.) |
Early Life & Education
Kristi Lynn Arnold grew up fixing fence, driving tractors, and competing in rodeo queen pageants on her family’s 1,300-acre cattle & crop spread in Hamlin County. After being crowned South Dakota Snow Queen in 1990, she briefly attended Northern State University, but tragedy struck in 1994 when her father died in a grain-bin accident. Kristi left college at 22, took over the ranch with her new husband, added a hunting lodge/restaurant, and finished her political-science degree online while serving in Congress two decades later.
Career Journey
South Dakota Legislature (2006-2010)
- Elected 6th District House; became Assistant Majority Leader
- Passed agricultural-property-tax reforms and pro-gun legislation
U.S. House of Representatives (2011-2019)
- Defeated incumbent Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin in 2010 Tea-Party wave
- First South-Dakotan ever on Ways & Means Committee; helped craft 2017 Trump tax cuts
- Co-wrote two Farm Bills expanding crop-insurance for Great Plains farmers
Governor of South Dakota (2019-2025)
- Historic milestone: sworn-in as state’s first female governor Jan 5, 2019
- COVID-19 response: refused statewide mask or vaccine mandates—national media dubbed her the “freedom governor”
- Record-low unemployment (2.3 %), record tourism, and balanced budgets every fiscal year
- Re-elected 2022 with largest vote total in state history
- Resigned Jan 25, 2025 to accept Cabinet post
U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security (2025-present)
In January 2025, Noem was sworn in as Secretary of Homeland Security, joining the federal Cabinet and overseeing agencies responsible for immigration, cybersecurity, disaster response, and border security. Early in her tenure, she rescinded temporary protected status extensions for certain immigrant groups and mobilized federal resources in crisis situations.
- Confirmed 59-34; promised border-wall completion and interior-enforcement surge
- Oversees 260,000+ employees, $60 B budget, FEMA, TSA, Coast Guard, ICE & USSS
Career Stats (Elective)
| Office | Years | Bills Prime-Sponsored | Key Committees |
|---|---|---|---|
| SD House | 2007-2010 | 21 | Taxation, Ag & Nat. Resources |
| U.S. House | 2011-2019 | 83 | Ways & Means; Agriculture |
| Governor | 2019-2025 | 414 signed into law | — |
| DHS Sec. | 2025-present | — | — |
Personal Life
Kristi married high-school classmate Bryon Noem in 1992; the couple still ranch near Castlewood and raised three children—Kassidy (policy analyst), Kennedy (marketing), and Booker (college rodeo athlete). The Noems attend an evangelical church, host an annual pheasant-hunt fundraiser, and boast a 95 % staff-retention rate across their businesses.
Family Snapshot
- Father: Ron Arnold – rancher, killed 1994
- Mother: Corinne Arnold – active farm partner
- Siblings: 1 sister, 2 brothers (help run ranch)
- Residence: Secret Service-protected estate, McLean, VA (2025-present); ranch, SD
Dating History / Affairs
No public controversies; high-school sweethearts still married 33+ years.
Controversies
- 2020: Sturgis Motorcycle Rally (500k attendees) went forward under her “personal responsibility” model; later studies linked it to COVID spread.
- 2024 memoir: admitted shooting her “untrainable” 14-month-old wire-haired pointer “Cricket” on the ranch; sparked bipartisan animal-rights backlash .
- 2025 confirmation: Democrats grilled her over 2023 pro-Trump election-fraud comments; she disavowed “stolen election” rhetoric.
Awards & Achievements
- 2018 – Time “100 Most Influential People” finalist
- 2019 – NRA “Defender of Freedom” Award
- 2021 – ALEC “Jeffersonian” Leadership Award
- 2022 – Re-elected with highest vote count in South Dakota history
- 2025 – 8th Secretary of Homeland Security; 2nd woman ever to hold post
Physical Statistics
- Height: 5 ft 7½ in (171 cm)
- Weight: ≈ 128 lb (58 kg)
- Body Measurements: 31-24-35 in
- Dress Size: 4 US
- Shoe Size: 8 US
- Hair: Blonde (occasionally highlighted)
- Eyes: Blue
Quotes
- “I took an oath to uphold the Constitution, not to shut down churches or businesses.” – COVID-19 press briefing, 2020
- “A strong border isn’t partisan—it’s patriotic.” – Senate confirmation hearing, 2025
- “I’m just a ranch-girl who believes government should brand less and herd more freedom.” – CPAC 2024
Favorites
- Caliber: .28 Nosler (elk)
- Horse: American Quarter Horse “Buck”
- Pickup: Ford F-250 King Ranch
- Snack on trail: Chokecherry jerky
- Music: 90s garth brooks & contemporary Christian
Salary & Net Worth
Cabinet salary: $221,400 annually; combined with ranch income, book royalties (Not My First Rodeo, No Going Back) and speaking fees, 2026 estimated net worth ≈ $5 million, including 2,500-acre ranchland, diversified cattle herd, and a D.C. townhouse.
Interesting Facts
- Still holds the Hamlin High record for fastest barrel-race time (1990).
- Owns a collection of 40+ vintage South Dakota stock-brand belt buckles.
- Secret Service codename: “Sunflower.”
Did You Know Already?
Kristi finished her college degree via online classes while voting on the House floor—earning her the nickname “Capitol Hill’s most powerful intern” .
Social Media Links
- Instagram – @govkristinoem
- Twitter/X – @SecNoem
- Facebook – SecretaryKristiNoem
- LinkedIn – Kristi Noem
- YouTube – Kristi Noem
FAQs
How tall is Kristi Noem?
Between 5 ft 7 in and 5 ft 8 in (170-173 cm).
Who is Kristi Noem married to?
Bryon Noem, her husband since 1992.
How many terms did Kristi Noem serve as governor?
Two full terms (2019-2025) before resigning to become DHS Secretary.
What is Kristi Noem’s net worth?
Estimated at roughly $5 million in 2026.
Did Kristi Noem really shoot her dog?
She wrote in her 2024 memoir that she euthanized an untrainable hunting dog, sparking widespread criticism.
Conclusion
From ranch gates to Cabinet briefings, Kristi Noem has crafted a political identity rooted in prairie pragmatism and unapologetic conservatism. Whether you applaud her freedom-first COVID stance or scrutinize her pet-euthanasia confession, her influence on Republican politics—and now national security—is undeniable. Share this deep-dive to keep the conversation (and the cattle drives) moving.
