Kristi Noem’s net worth revealed: How rich is the 8th US Secretary of Homeland Security?

As the new US Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem’s net worth is gaining more and more attention from Americans on all sides. This why we decided to explore her finances in this piece, as well as offer a comprehensive look at all her controversies and personal life details.

Who is Kristi Noem?

Kristi Noem is an American politician currently serving as the 8th United States Secretary of Homeland Security, a position she has held since January 25, 2025. Before this role, she was the 33rd Governor of South Dakota from 2019 to 2025. Noem is a member of the Republican Party and has also served as a US Representative for South Dakota’s at-large congressional district from 2011 to 2019.

Noem gained national attention during the COVID-19 pandemic for her decision not to issue a statewide mask mandate. She is also known for her background as a farmer and rancher. In addition to her political career, she has authored two books, including her autobiography, Not My First Rodeo: Lessons from the Heartland.

Kristi Noem’s net worth

When it comes to Kristi Noem’s net worth, there are varying reports circulating around the web. In 2017, OpenSecrets estimated her net worth to be $2,346,504. Nevertheless, Money Inc reported that it’s actually $4.5 million; however, the method they used to calculate this figure is missing, so her actual net worth is pretty much unknown.

Kristi Noem’s sources of income

Here’s a brief overview of Kristi Noem’s income sources:

• Political career: Serving as the Governor of South Dakota, Kristi Noem earns an annual salary of $139,100;

• Agriculture: Noem and her family run a ranch in South Dakota;

• Small business: She has been involved in various small business ventures, including a hunting lodge and a restaurant;

• Authorship: Noem authored several books, including her autobiography, which also contributes to her income.

Kristi Noem’s assets

Based on her final financial disclosure report as US House Representative, Kristi Noem’s most valued asset was Noem Insurance Inc., Bryant, South Dakota, valued between $1,000,001 and $5 million.

Controversies

In 2022, a South Dakota ethics board found enough evidence to suggest that Noem may have engaged in misconduct by intervening in her daughter’s application for a real estate appraiser license, prompting an investigation by the state’s attorney general. Additionally, allegations have been raised about her use of the state airplane for personal and political events, leading to further scrutiny by the ethics board.

Noem has also been banned multiple times from the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. The Oglala Sioux Tribe first banned her in 2019 after she signed anti-riot legislation targeting Native-led protests against the Keystone XL pipeline and again in 2024 following comments linking illegal immigration to crime on the reservation.

In another controversy, Noem mistakenly claimed in her memoir to have met Kim Jong Un, a statement she later acknowledged was incorrect.

The bottom line

Although the method of calculating is unknown, Kristi Noem’s net worth is estimated to be around $4.5 million, according to various online sources. Most of her wealth comes from her family’s ranch, where Kristi works alongside her husband, Bryon Noem.

Disclaimer: The content on this site should not be considered investment advice. Investing is speculative. When investing, your capital is at risk.

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