The world watched in horror on May 25, 2020. But while Derek Chauvin knelt on George Floyd’s neck for nine minutes, another life was irrevocably shattered that day. Kellie May Xiong Chauvin former Mrs. Minnesota America 2018, radiologist, and Hmong-American refugee saw her entire existence collapse within 72 hours. This is her story.
Derek Chauvin Wife and Kids: What You Need to Know
Kellie Chauvin married Derek in 2010. Their union lasted a decade before crumbling spectacularly under the weight of national tragedy. Born in 1974 in Laos, Kellie escaped a refugee camp in Thailand as a child. Her family eventually settled in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where she built an American dream many thought unshakeable.
The couple had no biological children together. Derek brought two kids from previous relationships. Kellie had two children from her first marriage. This blended family lived quietly in Minnesota until George Floyd’s death changed everything. The absence of shared children would later simplify their divorce proceedings one small mercy in a catastrophic situation.
Who Is Derek Chauvin’s Wife, Kellie Chauvin?
A Refugee’s Journey to Pageant Queen
Kellie May Xiong Chauvin isn’t just “Derek Chauvin’s ex-wife.” She’s a self-made success story whose accomplishments deserve recognition independent of her former husband’s crimes.
Her remarkable background includes:
- Escaping war-torn Laos as a young child
- Growing up in Thai refugee camps
- Immigrating to the United States
- Building a career as a radiologist
- Winning Mrs. Minnesota America in 2018
- Advocating for the Hmong-American community
According to ABC News, Kellie worked at a medical center while maintaining her beauty pageant platform. She championed education and opportunities for refugees. Her public figure status made the 2020 media firestorm even more devastating.
Professional Accomplishments Before 2020
Kellie’s radiologist career represented years of education and dedication. She understood anatomy, physics, and patient care. Her professional accomplishments stood entirely separate from Derek’s law enforcement work. Colleagues knew her as competent and compassionate.
The Mrs. Minnesota America title in 2018 brought her community recognition. She spoke about her refugee experience with grace. She encouraged other Hmong-American women. Then May 2020 arrived.
Did Derek Chauvin Have Kids?
Yes, but none together. This question confuses many people searching for information about the Derek Chauvin spouse situation. Here’s the breakdown:
| Parent | Children | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| Derek Chauvin | 2 children | From previous relationships |
| Kellie Chauvin | 2 children | From first marriage |
| Together | 0 children | No biological kids as a couple |
The blended family dynamic existed before George Floyd’s death. Kellie served as stepmother to Derek’s children. Derek similarly interacted with Kellie’s kids. Court records show custody arrangements weren’t contested during divorce proceedings.
Derek Chauvin’s Wife Filed for Divorce Just Days After His Arrest
May 29, 2020. Just four days after George Floyd died. Derek Chauvin was arrested. Within hours, Kellie’s attorney filed divorce papers citing “irretrievable breakdown” of the marriage.
The speed stunned observers. Some praised her swift action. Others questioned her loyalty. The Hmong-American community found itself divided. How could she abandon her husband so quickly?
Her attorney released a statement to NBC News: Kellie was devastated by Floyd’s death and expressed sympathy to his family. She wanted moral independence from Derek’s actions. The divorce filing spoke volumes without her saying anything publicly.
The Divorce: A Swift and Serious Move
Legal Strategy Meets Personal Crisis
The timing wasn’t coincidental. Legal experts immediately recognized the strategic brilliance. Civil lawsuits against Derek seemed inevitable. His assets would become targets. By divorcing quickly, Kellie could potentially protect her property from those claims.
Key divorce filing elements included:
- Request for name change back to Kellie May Xiong
- Division of all marital property
- Dissolution of financial entanglements
- Complete legal separation from Derek
But was it purely financial? Or genuine revulsion at his actions? Likely both. The divorce proceedings revealed a woman desperate to distance herself from unimaginable horror while protecting her future.
Divorce Finalized Amid Legal Scrutiny
February 2021 brought official closure. The divorce finalized while Derek Chauvin’s trial dominated headlines. Asset division details remained mostly private, though court records showed substantial negotiations.
The Minnesota Department of Revenue was simultaneously investigating both Chauvin’s for tax fraud. This complicated property settlements. What money was legitimately theirs? What came from unreported income? The legal scrutiny intensified.
Judge approval came with unusual oversight. The George Floyd family’s civil attorneys watched carefully. They wanted to ensure no fraudulent transfers protected Derek’s assets from future judgments.
Read This Article: Kathleen Nimmo Lynch: A Cool Story About Family and Work
Did Derek Chauvin’s Wife Get Into Legal Trouble Too?
Yes. This shocks people who assume Kellie was an innocent bystander. Her legal troubles emerged separately but overlapped chronologically with Derek’s criminal prosecution.
Legal Trouble of Her Own
July 2020 brought felony tax fraud charges against both Chauvin’s. The Minnesota Department of Revenue discovered they’d underreported income significantly. Between 2014 and 2019, they failed to report approximately $464,000.
Kellie faced her own accountability. Prosecutors charged her separately. She couldn’t hide behind her husband’s actions here. These were financial crimes she participated in directly.
The charges specified:
- Underreported income from Derek’s security work
- Failure to pay Minnesota state taxes owed
- Multiple years of tax evasion
- Potential felony convictions carrying prison time
In 2023, Kellie pleaded guilty. Her sentencing for tax evasion included probation and community service. No prison time. She cooperated with authorities. Court records showed remorse and full restitution payments.
Did Kellie Chauvin Support Derek During the Trial?
The Courtroom Absence That Spoke Volumes
She never appeared. Not once during the entire Derek Chauvin trial. No supportive spouse sitting behind the defense table. No hand-holding. No statements to media outside the courthouse.
Her social media absence was absolute. Kellie May Xiong Chauvin (she’d reverted to her maiden name) vanished from public view. This silence contrasted sharply with other high-profile trials where spouses demonstrate support.
Compare this to cases involving Joel Embiid’s wife Anne de Paula or even Kim Scott’s complicated relationship with Eminem during his controversies. Those spouses made public appearances. Kellie chose complete invisibility.
Was Kellie Chauvin Supportive of Derek During His Trial?
The evidence suggests no. Her divorce filing in May 2020 stated she sympathized with the Floyd family. She never retracted that statement. She never publicly defended Derek’s actions.
Legal separation preceded the trial by nearly a year. She’d already changed her name. She’d divided their assets. She’d built physical and legal distance. These actions spoke louder than any courtroom presence.
The Hmong-American community faced enormous pressure. Many wanted distance from Derek’s crimes. Kellie’s quick divorce helped separate the community from his actions. Her silence protected both herself and her ethnic community from further backlash.
Where Is Kellie Chauvin Now?
This question dominates searches in 2025. Five years after George Floyd’s death, where is Derek Chauvin’s ex-wife?
Life After High-Profile Trial
Kellie has maintained extraordinary privacy. Reports suggest she left Minnesota. Her exact location remains unknown. She’s achieved the quiet recovery she likely craved in 2020.
What we know about her current situation:
- No longer working at her previous medical center
- Name legally changed from Chauvin
- Zero social media presence
- No public interviews granted
- Completed tax fraud probation requirements
- Reportedly residing outside Minnesota
According to sources, Kellie works in healthcare under her maiden name. Colleagues may not know her past. She’s rebuilt her life with intentional anonymity. This represents survival and reinvention after unimaginable circumstances.
Career and Personal Life in 2025
Her radiologist career may continue under Xiong. Or she’s shifted to different medical work. The beauty pageant world is behind her. Mrs. Minnesota America 2018 seems like a different lifetime.
Has she remarried? Unknown. Does she maintain relationships with her children? Presumably, though details remain private. Her personal resilience deserves recognition, even as we acknowledge her tax evasion convictions.
Public Reactions to Kellie’s Decision
The internet exploded with opinions in May 2020. Social media divided sharply on Kellie’s divorce filing.
Supportive voices argued:
- She had every right to leave
- Derek’s actions were indefensible
- Protecting herself financially made sense
- Expressing sympathy for Floyd showed character
Critical voices claimed:
- Marriage vows mean “for better or worse”
- She abandoned him too quickly
- Financial protection seemed opportunistic
- Real love stands by people
The public backlash hit hard from both sides. Some called her a hero. Others labeled her a coward. The Hmong-American community particularly struggled. They wanted to support one of their own while condemning Derek’s murder of George Floyd.
Media coverage of Chauvin amplified every angle. Comparing her situation to other high-profile divorces like those involving celebrity trials and families showed hers was uniquely complicated by racial justice issues.
Visual Guide: Timeline of Events
| Date | Event | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Kellie born in Laos | Refugee background shapes identity |
| 2010 | Marries Derek Chauvin | Decade-long union begins |
| 2018 | Wins Mrs. Minnesota America | Public figure status achieved |
| May 25, 2020 | George Floyd killed | Life-changing tragedy |
| May 29, 2020 | Derek arrested; Kellie files for divorce | Swift legal separation |
| July 2020 | Both charged with tax fraud | Separate legal troubles emerge |
| February 2021 | Divorce finalized | Legal separation complete |
| April 2021 | Derek convicted of murder | Criminal accountability established |
| 2023 | Kellie sentenced for tax evasion | Personal accountability concluded |
| 2025 | Living privately under maiden name | Quiet life rebuilding continues |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kellie Chauvin still married to Derek?
No. Their divorce finalized in February 2021. She legally changed her name back to Kellie May Xiong and has no connection to Derek.
Did Kellie Chauvin remarry after divorcing Derek?
Unknown. She maintains complete privacy about her personal life. No public records or reports indicate remarriage.
What happened to Derek Chauvin’s wife’s career?
She reportedly continues working in healthcare under her maiden name. Her specific employer and location remain private.
Does Kellie Chauvin have children?
Yes, two children from her previous marriage. She also was stepmother to Derek’s two children.
Where does Kellie Chauvin live now in 2025?
She’s believed to have left Minnesota. Her exact location remains undisclosed for privacy and safety reasons.
Did Kellie Chauvin profit from Derek’s notoriety?
No. She’s given no paid interviews, written no books, and made no public appearances for profit.
What was Kellie Chauvin’s maiden name?
Kellie May Xiong. She legally changed back to this name during divorce proceedings.
Has Kellie Chauvin spoken publicly about George Floyd?
Only through her attorney in May 2020, expressing sympathy for Floyd’s family. She’s made no personal public statements.
Life After Being Derek Chauvin’s Wife: A 2025 Perspective
Five years later, Kellie May Xiong Chauvin represents something profoundly human. She’s not a villain, despite her tax fraud conviction. She’s not a hero, despite her swift divorce. She’s a woman who built an American dream, married the wrong person, and had her life exploded on the world stage.
The separation from controversy she sought in 2020 seems largely achieved. She’s living privately, presumably working, and maintaining relationships with her children. The moral independence she requested through her attorney appears genuine.
Her story reminds us that high-profile trials affect more lives than defendants and victims. Families shatter. Spouses face impossible choices. The Kellie Chauvin biography represents resilience amid catastrophe imperfect, complicated, but ultimately human.
For more stories about life after public scandals and privacy after media attention, follow our coverage of legal proceedings and personal recovery journeys.
