Kristi Noem’s Mother Says She Is Divorcing Husband Bryon After Bombshell Scandal

Former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is reportedly ending her 34-year marriage to husband Bryon Noem following months of public controversy, according to her mother, Corinne Arnold.

In an interview from her South Dakota home, Arnold said her daughter told the family she had decided to move forward with a divorce after months of separation.

“It has been difficult, but we knew this was coming,” Arnold said, adding that Kristi confirmed during a family gathering that the marriage was over and that she had already retained a divorce attorney.

The reported split follows the release of photos earlier this year that allegedly showed Bryon Noem participating in an online “bimbofication” fetish community while wearing large prosthetic breasts and communicating with adult performers. The revelations sparked widespread media attention and scrutiny of the former first gentleman of South Dakota.

No divorce petition has been filed publicly, and neither Kristi nor Bryon Noem has officially confirmed that divorce proceedings are underway.

The marital issues come after a turbulent year for Noem politically. President Trump removed her as Homeland Security secretary in March following mounting controversy over her leadership at the department and a contentious congressional hearing.

Arnold also rejected long-running rumors that her daughter had an affair with former Trump adviser Corey Lewandowski, insisting the allegations are false.

“Kristi would never do that,” Arnold said. “That’s not how I brought my kids up.”

Kristi and Bryon Noem married in 1992 and have three children together. While reports indicate the couple has been living separately, it remains unclear when any formal divorce proceedings could begin.