Kristi Noem Bio, Age, Height, Husband, Children, Salary, Net Worth
Kristi Noem Biography | Who is Kristi Noem?
Kristi Noem is an American politician serving since 2025 as the 8th United States Secretary of Homeland Security. She took office on January 25, 2025, after a Senate confirmation vote of 59–34. Prior to that, she served as the first female governor of South Dakota from 2019 until her resignation in 2025.
Born November 30, 1971 in Watertown, South Dakota, Noem grew up on her family’s farm. She temporarily halted her studies after her father’s death to manage the ranch. Later, she returned to complete a degree in political science.
Noem began her political career in the South Dakota state legislature. In 2011 she won a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, where she represented her state’s at-large district until 2019. Then she ran for governor and won, becoming South Dakota’s 33rd governor and its first female one.
As governor, she gained national attention for resisting COVID-19 mask and lockdown mandates and for her conservative stance on taxes, regulation, and gun rights.
After becoming Secretary of Homeland Security, Noem gained control of a department with over 260,000 employees and oversight of border security, immigration enforcement, disaster response, cybersecurity and more. She quickly moved to reverse prior immigration-policy changes and to enforce stricter border control measures under the administration she serves.
Noem blends her rural upbringing, rancher experience, and long legislative career. She emphasizes strong immigration control, national security, and governmental conservatism.
Her rise from farmer’s child in South Dakota to one of the highest U.S. national-security officials marks a dramatic political journey — and one that continues to shape American policy in 2025.
Kristi Noem Age | How Old is Kristi Noem?
Kristi Noem is 54 years old as of 2025, and she was born on November 30, 1971, in Watertown, South Dakota. She continues shaping national policy as Homeland Security Secretary, and her age highlights her long political journey. Moreover, her background strengthens her leadership style, which blends experience, resilience, and strong conservative values.
Kristi Noem Height | How Tall Is Kristi Noem?
Kristi Noem stands at 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm), giving her a strong and confident presence in public events. Her height often complements her bold leadership style, especially as she continues serving as Homeland Security Secretary.
Kristi Noem Ethnicity | What Ethnicity is Kristi Noem?
Kristi Noem comes from a predominantly Norwegian ethnic background, which reflects her strong Scandinavian roots. She grew up in South Dakota, where her heritage shaped her values and leadership style. Her European ancestry, especially her Norwegian lineage, remains a key part of her family history. Moreover, Noem often highlights her rural upbringing, which further connects her identity to the culture and traditions of Scandinavian American communities.
Kristi Noem Religion
Kristi Noem practices Christianity and identifies as Protestant, with her family attending a Foursquare Church in Watertown, South Dakota. Her faith plays a significant role in shaping her values, public image, and leadership style. Moreover, she often highlights how her Christian beliefs guide her decisions in both her personal life and political career.
Kristi Noem Political Party
Kristi Noem belongs to the Republican Party. She has held leadership roles under the Republican banner, including U.S. House Representative (2011-2019), Governor of South Dakota (2019-2025), and since 2025, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security. As a Republican, she advocates conservative policies on taxes, gun rights, and immigration. Her political party affiliation remains central to her public identity and policy priorities.
Kristi Noem Education
Kristi Noem’s educational journey reflects resilience and determination. She first attended Northern State University but paused her studies in 1994 after her father’s death to help run the family ranch. Later, she enrolled at Mount Marty College and South Dakota State University (SDSU), balancing ranch duties and family responsibilities. Eventually, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from SDSU in 2012 while serving in Congress. Her education shaped her leadership skills and political perspective, showing that commitment and perseverance can overcome unconventional challenges.
Kristi Noem Husband | Is Kristi Noem married?
Kristi Noem has been married to Bryon Noem since 1992. The couple met while growing up in rural South Dakota and built a strong family foundation together. Bryon works in finance and runs a crop insurance business while helping manage their family ranch. They have three children: Kassidy, Kennedy, and Booker Noem. Bryon maintains a low public profile but has consistently supported Kristi’s political career and conservative values, providing stability and partnership that have shaped both their family life and her public service journey.
Kristi Noem Husband Occupation
Bryon Noem works as a businessman who operates a crop insurance agency in South Dakota. He originally worked at a local bank’s insurance department before buying it and founding Noem Insurance. Alongside that role, Bryon also helps manage the family ranch and rural properties.Moreover, he has promoted rural life and small-town values through the initiative This Is South Dakota, celebrating local communities.
Kristi Noem Children | Kids
Kristi Noem is a proud mother of three children: Kassidy, Kennedy, and Booker Noem. Kassidy, born in April 1994, and Kennedy, born in February 1997, are now adults, while Booker, born in May 2002, is still young. The children grew up on their family ranch in South Dakota, embracing rural life and values. Although they mostly remain private, they occasionally appear with their mother, reflecting the close-knit Noem family and strong family bonds that continue to shape Kristi’s personal and public life.
Kristi Noem Family | Parents | Siblings
Kristi Noem grew up on a farm near Hamlin County, South Dakota, with her parents, Ron and Corinne Arnold, and three siblings. Her father managed the family farm and ranch, instilling strong work ethic and rural values. After his death in 1994, Kristi left college to help run the family ranch, showing early responsibility. Her upbringing with her siblings shaped her resilience, community focus, and leadership qualities, which continue to influence her personal and political life today.
Kristi Noem South Park – Controversy Over 2025 Episode
Kristi Noem recently featured in an episode of South Park. The show depicted her as a character labeled “ICE Barbie,” exaggerating her appearance and showing a controversial, violent storyline.
In that episode, the animated Noem suffers a meltdown of her cosmetic make-up and Botox. She also appears as a ruthless ICE officer involved in a highly graphic dog-shooting spree.
Noem responded strongly. She called the portrayal “lazy” and “petty,” arguing that the show mocked her appearance rather than critiqued her job.
This backlash sparked public debate over satire vs. respect. Some defended the show’s right to criticize public figures, while others sided with Noem’s view on gender-based ridicule. The clash shows how satire, politics, and media representation often collide.
Kristi Noem Salary
Kristi Noem earns an estimated $250,600 yearly salary in her role as the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, making her one of the highest-paid cabinet officials. This updated figure reflects the standard federal compensation for executive-level positions. Before joining the cabinet, she earned about $122,000 annually as South Dakota’s governor. Additionally, Noem benefits from book royalties and long-term investments, which further strengthen her financial profile and support her growing public career.
Kristi Noem Net Worth
Kristi Noem has an estimated net worth of $4–5 million in 2025, supported by several reliable income streams. She earns a significant salary as the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, which strengthens her financial standing. Additionally, her family ranch and real estate investments continue to provide long-term value. Her husband’s business and her book royalties further boost her assets. Overall, Kristi Noem’s net worth reflects consistent growth and diverse financial sources.
