Did you know that Kristi Noem became the first woman to serve as South Dakota’s governor in 2019?
Today, she holds one of the most powerful positions in America—Secretary of Homeland Security. But before she reached the top of American politics, Kristi Noem was a rancher and farmer. Her journey from a family farm to national leadership is truly inspiring.
In this complete guide, we will cover everything about Kristi Noem. You will learn about her height, her net worth, her political career, her family, and how she became such an important leader. Whether you search for “Kristi Noem height” online or want to know about her salary and earnings, this article has all the answers.
Who Is Kristi Noem? The South Dakota Governor
Kristi Noem was born Kristi Lynn Arnold on November 30, 1971, in Watertown, South Dakota. She grew up in a small farming community with her parents, Ron and Corinne Arnold, and her siblings. Her family raised cattle, corn, soybeans, and wheat on their ranch.
As a young girl, Kristi loved ranch life. She participated in rodeo queen contests and even became the South Dakota Snow Queen in 1990. This honor gave her confidence and helped her learn how to speak in public. These early experiences shaped who she would become as a leader.
Life changed forever in 1994 when her father suffered a tragic grain bin accident and passed away. Kristi was only 23 years old. Instead of continuing her college studies, she made an adult decision to return home and manage the family farm. She had just given birth to her daughter, Kassidy, days after her father’s death.
Despite these challenges, Kristi did not give up on her education. Years later, she completed her degree in political science from South Dakota State University in 2011. Her hard work and determination would soon lead her into politics.
Kristi Noem Height: Physical Appearance and Personal Life
Many people search online for “Kristi Noem height” to learn about the politician’s appearance. According to official records, Kristi Noem height is approximately 5 feet 8 inches (some sources list 5’7½”). She weighs around 66 kilograms (about 145 pounds).
At 5 feet 8 inches, Kristi Noem is taller than the average American woman. Her physical presence matches her strong personality. She has blonde hair and blue eyes. Over the years, like many public figures, she has faced rumors about plastic surgery, but she has never publicly confirmed these claims. The only surgery she has publicly discussed was back surgery.
Beyond her physical appearance, people are often curious about Kristi Noem’s personal life. She has been married to her high school sweetheart, Bryon Noem, since 1992. Together, they have three children: Kassidy, Broderick, and Kennedy. Their children grew up on the family ranch in Castlewood, South Dakota.
Being a mother, wife, and businesswoman kept Kristi extremely busy. Even when she moved to Washington, D.C., to serve in Congress, her family stayed on the ranch. She commuted back and forth to be with them whenever possible. Today, she is a proud grandmother as well.
Kristi Noem is a Protestant Christian, and her faith is very important to her. As of 2018, she and her family attended a Foursquare Church in Watertown, South Dakota.
Political Career: From State House to Congress
Kristi Noem’s political career began in 2006 when she was elected to the South Dakota House of Representatives. She served in this position from 2007 to 2010. During her time in the state legislature, she was very active.
As a state representative, Kristi focused on important issues for her community:
- She sponsored 11 bills that became law
- She worked on property tax reforms to help farmers
- She introduced bills to increase gun rights in South Dakota
- She served as the assistant majority leader in her second term
- She worked with the Civil Air Patrol and held the rank of lieutenant colonel
Her work in the state house caught people’s attention. In 2010, she decided to run for Congress. That year, she was elected to represent South Dakota in the U.S. House of Representatives. She served in Congress from 2011 to 2019.
During her time in Congress, Kristi Noem earned a reputation as a strong conservative voice. She focused on agriculture, military issues, and government spending. She also supported Second Amendment rights and traditional values.
In 2016, she announced that she would not run for Congress again. Instead, she decided to run for governor of South Dakota. Her decision was historic because no woman had ever been elected governor of South Dakota before.
Governor of South Dakota: Breaking Barriers
In 2018, Kristi Noem was elected as South Dakota’s first-ever female governor. She won the general election with 51 percent of the vote against her Democratic opponent, Billie Sutton. This was a major victory not only for her but for women in politics everywhere.
As governor, Kristi Noem focused on several key areas:
Education and Technology: She helped pass laws to expand high-speed broadband access across South Dakota. This was important for rural communities that needed better internet.
Public Health and COVID-19: During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Governor Noem took a unique approach. She refused to close businesses or order mask mandates. She believed in personal responsibility instead of government control. This decision made her famous nationwide. People either praised her or criticized her, but she stuck to her beliefs.
Anti-Drug Campaigns: She launched aggressive programs to fight methamphetamine use in South Dakota, which was a serious problem in the state.
Economic Growth: She worked to attract businesses to South Dakota and cut taxes to help the economy grow.
In 2022, Kristi Noem ran for re-election as governor and won by a huge margin. She received 62 percent of the vote, and she flipped 17 counties that had previously voted Democratic. This was a record-breaking victory.
As governor, Kristi Noem earned a salary of about $122,000 per year. The state legislature later raised her salary to $130,000 in 2023, but she held the office until January 2025.
Secretary of Homeland Security: New Heights
In 2024, after Donald Trump won the presidential election, he nominated Kristi Noem for the position of Secretary of Homeland Security. This is one of the most powerful jobs in the U.S. government.
The Senate voted to confirm her on January 25, 2025. This made Kristi Noem the first South Dakotan to lead the Department of Homeland Security. As Secretary, she oversees the third-largest department in the federal government.
Her responsibilities include:
- Managing 260,000 employees
- Controlling a budget of more than $100 billion
- Overseeing immigration and border security
- Managing disaster response
- Protecting national security
As Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem’s salary increased significantly. She now earns $250,600 per year—more than double what she made as governor. This is one of the highest salaries in the Cabinet.
Kristi Noem Net Worth: How Much Is She Worth?
People often search online for “Kristi Noem net worth” to learn about her financial status. According to financial disclosures filed with the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, her net worth is estimated to be around $1 million to $5 million.
However, it is important to understand that much of her wealth comes from family property and business investments, not just her government salary.
Her Assets Include:
- Agricultural land in South Dakota (valued between $250,000 and $500,000)
- Livestock and equipment (valued up to $100,000)
- Mutual funds, index funds, and ETFs (valued between $174,000 and $560,000)
- Cash savings (up to $265,000)
- A personal residence with a mortgage of between $100,000 and $250,000
Her Husband’s Assets: Her husband, Bryon Noem, actually has more wealth than she does. His assets include commercial real estate investments worth up to $500,000 and an insurance company called Noem Insurance, LLC, valued at between $1 million and $5 million.
Together, the Noem family is quite wealthy, but most of their money comes from their ranching business and real estate investments rather than government salaries.
Kristi Noem’s Salary Throughout Her Career
Understanding “Kristi Noem height salary” and how her earnings changed over time shows how she climbed the political ladder.
Timeline of Salary Increases:
| Position | Years | Annual Salary |
| South Dakota House Representative | 2007-2010 | ~$15,000 |
| U.S. House Representative | 2011-2019 | $174,000 |
| South Dakota Governor | 2019-2025 | $122,000 (later $130,000) |
| Secretary of Homeland Security | 2025-Present | $250,600 |
As you can see, her salary jumped significantly when she became a U.S. Representative. Even though being governor paid less than Congress, it was a more powerful position. Now, as Secretary of Homeland Security, she earns nearly twice what she made as governor.
Quick Reference Biography Table
| Information | Details |
| Full Name | Kristi Lynn Arnold Noem |
| Date of Birth | November 30, 1971 |
| Birthplace | Watertown, South Dakota |
| Current Age | 54 years old |
| Height | 5’8″ (approximately) |
| Weight | 66 kg (145 lbs) |
| Hair Color | Blonde |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Spouse | Bryon Noem (married since 1992) |
| Children | Three (Kassidy, Broderick, Kennedy) |
| Education | Bachelor’s in Political Science (2011) |
| Current Position | Secretary of Homeland Security |
| Net Worth | $1-5 Million (estimated) |
| Current Salary | $250,600 per year |
How Celebrity and Political Net Worth Estimates Work
When people search for “Kristi Noem net worth,” they often wonder how experts come up with these numbers. The process is similar for celebrities and politicians.
Step 1: Public Property Records – Real estate is public information. Experts can find out what houses, land, and buildings politicians own and what they are worth. Kristi Noem’s properties in South Dakota are public record.
Step 2: Government Financial Disclosures – All high-level government officials must file financial disclosure forms every year. These forms list their assets, savings, investments, and debts. Experts use these official documents to estimate net worth.
Step 3: Salary History – Everyone knows how much government employees are paid. Congress and the executive branch salaries are public. Experts can calculate how much money someone earned over their career.
Step 4: Inherited Assets – When family members pass away, their estates often become public record. Kristi inherited part of her family’s ranch when her father died. This property is worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Step 5: Business Ownership – If a politician owns a business, experts try to estimate its value. Bryon Noem’s insurance company, for example, is worth several million dollars.
Step 6: Subtract Debts – To get the true net worth, experts subtract debts like mortgages and loans. The Noems have multiple mortgages and business loans.
It is important to know that net worth estimates are not exact. They are educated guesses based on available information. The true net worth of a wealthy person can be hard to determine without seeing all their private financial records.
Career Achievements and Highlights Timeline
Kristi Noem’s career has been marked by many important moments. Here is a timeline of her biggest achievements:
1990: Crowned South Dakota Snow Queen; graduates high school
1994: Takes over family ranch after father’s death; gives birth to daughter Kassidy
2006: Elected to South Dakota House of Representatives
2007-2010: Serves in state legislature; sponsors 11 bills that become law
2010: Elected to U.S. House of Representatives
2011-2019: Serves in U.S. Congress; becomes known as a conservative voice
2016: Announces candidacy for South Dakota Governor
2018: Wins governor’s race; becomes South Dakota’s first female governor
2020: Gains national attention for COVID-19 response during pandemic
2022: Re-elected as governor with record-breaking 62% of vote
2024: Nominated for Secretary of Homeland Security by President Trump
January 25, 2025: Confirmed by Senate; becomes Secretary of Homeland Security
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Kristi Noem
1. What is Kristi Noem’s height?
Kristi Noem height is approximately 5 feet 8 inches (some sources list 5’7½”). She is taller than the average American woman.
2. How much is Kristi Noem’s net worth?
Her net worth is estimated between $1 million and $5 million, based on property, investments, and savings listed in financial disclosures.
3. How much does Kristi Noem earn as Secretary of Homeland Security?
She earns an annual salary of $250,600, making her one of the highest-paid government officials.
4. Was Kristi Noem the first female governor of South Dakota?
Yes, she was elected in 2018 as South Dakota’s first-ever female governor. She served until January 2025.
5. How many children does Kristi Noem have?
She has three children with her husband, Bryon Noem: Kassidy, Broderick, and Kennedy.
6. What was her greatest accomplishment as governor?
Many point to her pandemic response as her most notable policy. She refused lockdowns and mask mandates, which made her famous among conservatives nationwide.
7. Why did she leave the governorship in 2025?
President Trump nominated her for Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Senate confirmed her. She resigned as governor to take this federal position.
8. What was her salary as a U.S. Representative?
Congressional representatives earn $174,000 per year. She made this salary from 2011 to 2019.
9. How did Kristi Noem become involved in politics?
She started by managing her family’s ranch and business after her father’s death in 1994. Later, she was elected to the South Dakota House of Representatives in 2006.
10. Is Kristi Noem married?
Yes, she has been married to Bryon Noem since 1992. They met in high school and have been together for over 30 years.
Key Takeaways: Kristi Noem’s Journey
Kristi Noem’s story is one of hard work, perseverance, and breaking barriers. She went from a small-town ranch girl to one of the most powerful women in America. Her journey shows that with determination, anyone can achieve great things.
Here are the main points to remember about Kristi Noem:
- She is 5 feet 8 inches tall and currently 54 years old
- She earned $250,600 annually as Secretary of Homeland Security
- Her net worth is estimated between $1-5 million
- She was South Dakota’s first female governor (2019-2025)
- She serves in President Trump’s Cabinet
- She has been a rancher, businesswoman, state legislator, U.S. Representative, and governor
- She is a mother of three and has been married for over 30 years
- Her COVID-19 response made her famous nationwide
- She rose to national prominence despite coming from a rural farming community
Learn More About Kristi Noem Today
Kristi Noem’s political career continues to evolve. As Secretary of Homeland Security, she will play a major role in shaping America’s immigration and security policies. Her background as a businesswoman and governor gives her unique experience for this job.
If you want to learn more about Kristi Noem, you can read her book “Not My First Rodeo,” which tells her personal story. You can also follow news about her work as Secretary of Homeland Security.
Whether you searched for “Kristi Noem height” or wanted to know about her career and net worth, we hope this article answered your questions. Kristi Noem is an important figure in American politics, and her story deserves to be known.
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