Kellie May Xiong Chauvin is a Hmong-American former beauty queen, radiology technician, and real estate agent. She is best known as the ex-wife of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer convicted of murdering George Floyd in 2020. Before gaining national attention, Kellie was crowned Mrs. Minnesota in 2019 and had built a successful career in healthcare and real estate while actively volunteering in the Hmong community.
Kellie Chauvin Wikipedia
| Field | Details |
| Full name | Kellie May Xiong Chauvin |
| Gender | Female |
| Date of birth | October 21, 1974 |
| Age | 50 years old (as of December 2025) |
| Place of birth | Laos |
| Current residence | Wisconsin, United States |
| Nationality | American (Hmong-American) |
| Ethnicity | Hmong |
| Zodiac sign | Libra |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Sexual orientation | Straight |
| Marital status | Divorced |
| Ex-spouses | Kujay Xiong (deceased), Derek Chauvin (divorced 2021) |
| Children | Two (from first marriage) |
| Alma mater | Kaplan University |
| Profession | Former radiology technician, real estate agent, photographer |
| Net worth | $1-2 million (estimated) |
Who is Kellie Chauvin?
Kellie Chauvin is a Hmong-American woman who rose from a refugee background to become a healthcare professional, beauty queen, and community advocate. She was born in Laos during the civil war and spent her early childhood in a Thai refugee camp before immigrating to the United States. Her life took an unexpected turn in 2020 when her then-husband, Derek Chauvin, was charged with the murder of George Floyd, leading to one of the most high-profile divorce cases in recent American history.
How old is Kellie Chauvin? Age and birthday
Kellie Chauvin is 50 years old as of December 2025. She was born on October 21, 1974, in Laos during a time of civil war. Her zodiac sign is Libra, which is associated with balance, justice, and harmony.
Kellie Chauvin’s early life and refugee background
Kellie was born into the Hmong community in Laos in 1974. When she was just three years old, her family fled the war-torn country in 1977 and sought refuge in Thailand, where they lived in a refugee camp for three years. In 1980, when Kellie was approximately six years old, her family immigrated to the United States and settled in Wisconsin.
As a child in America, Kellie faced significant challenges, including bullying and discrimination. In a 2018 interview with Twin Cities Press, she revealed that she was teased for her appearance and was once the only one of her friends not invited to participate in a local parade. These experiences shaped her determination to overcome adversity and help others in similar situations.
Kellie Chauvin’s career journey
Radiology technician
After completing her education, Kellie earned her associate’s degree in radiology from Kaplan University. She took an internship in the emergency room of Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, where she worked as a radiology technician for several years. This career path demonstrated her commitment to healthcare and helping others in critical situations.
Real estate agent
Following her time in healthcare, Kellie transitioned into real estate. She became a licensed real estate agent in Minnesota, working with Re/Max Results in the Saint Paul area. Her work in real estate allowed her to help families find homes and build wealth in their communities.
Photography business
In addition to her real estate work, Kellie operated a photography business. She combined her entrepreneurial spirit with her creative talents, offering photography services to clients in the Minnesota area.
Kellie Chauvin and the Mrs. Minnesota pageant
Winning Mrs. Minnesota 2019
In October 2018, Kellie achieved a significant milestone by winning the title of United States of America’s Mrs. Minnesota 2019. She became the first Hmong woman to win this prestigious pageant title. During the competition, she shared her inspiring story of overcoming childhood trauma and discrimination to become a successful professional and community advocate.
National pageant competition
After winning the state title, Kellie competed in the national Mrs. Minnesota America pageant in Las Vegas in February 2019. She represented Minnesota with pride and used the platform to highlight issues affecting the Hmong community and refugees.
Community involvement through pageantry
Throughout her pageant journey, Kellie donated to several Hmong nonprofits and small businesses. She volunteered as a translator at local hospitals and made her home a “safe haven” for Hmong women going through difficult times. Her advocacy work focused on empowering immigrant women and preserving Hmong culture in America.
Is Kellie Chauvin married? Relationship history and divorce
First marriage to Kujay Xiong
Kellie’s first marriage was to Kujay Xiong, an arranged marriage set up by her parents according to Hmong cultural traditions. She married Kujay when she was in her late teens and stayed in the marriage for approximately a decade. During this time, she gave birth to two children.
According to various reports, Kellie has described her first marriage as abusive. She eventually divorced Kujay Xiong and returned to school to pursue her radiology degree. Her first husband passed away several years after their divorce.
Second marriage to Derek Chauvin
Kellie met Derek Chauvin while working at Hennepin County Medical Center. Derek, then a Minneapolis police officer, brought a suspect to the hospital for a health check before an arrest. The two began dating and married in June 2010.
The couple was married for nearly ten years before their relationship ended. In a 2018 interview, Kellie had described Derek as “just a softie” and spoke positively about their marriage. However, everything changed after the events of May 25, 2020.
Divorce from Derek Chauvin
On May 29, 2020, just three days after George Floyd’s death and one day before Derek Chauvin’s arrest, Kellie filed for divorce, citing “irretrievable breakdown” of the marriage. Through her attorney, she expressed devastation over Floyd’s death and extended sympathy to his family.
The divorce proceedings revealed detailed financial information. A Washington County judge approved their divorce settlement in February 2021 under initially confidential terms. According to court documents, Kellie received approximately $703,718 in the settlement, while Derek received $420,768. The settlement included division of their two homes, multiple bank accounts, and various debts.
In the divorce filing, Kellie requested to change her last name, though the specific surname she chose has not been publicly disclosed. She was formerly known as Kellie Thao and Kellie Xiong before becoming Kellie Chauvin.
Kellie Chauvin’s children
Kellie has two children from her first marriage to Kujay Xiong. The names of her children are Kheng Xiong and Xommvaxai Xiong. Derek Chauvin became their stepfather during his marriage to Kellie, but the couple did not have any biological children together.
In her divorce filing, Kellie respectfully requested privacy for her children, her elderly parents, and her extended family. She has kept her children away from the media spotlight and protected their identities throughout the highly publicized events surrounding her divorce.
What is Kellie Chauvin’s net worth?
As of 2025, Kellie Chauvin’s net worth is estimated to be between $1 million and $2 million. She built her wealth through multiple income sources, including her career as a radiology technician, real estate commissions, and her photography business.
Her divorce settlement from Derek Chauvin significantly contributed to her assets. She received approximately $703,718 from the division of marital property, including real estate holdings and bank accounts. However, her financial situation was complicated by subsequent legal troubles related to tax evasion.
Kellie Chauvin’s legal troubles and tax evasion case
Tax evasion charges
In July 2020, Minnesota prosecutors charged both Kellie and Derek Chauvin with nine felony counts of tax evasion. The charges alleged that the couple underreported their joint income by $464,433 from 2014 to 2019. Prosecutors accused them of failing to report over $400,000 in income during this six-year period.
The unreported income came from various sources, including Derek’s off-duty security work and Kellie’s real estate and photography businesses. At the time, they owed $37,868 to the state of Minnesota, including unpaid taxes, penalties, and interest.
Guilty plea and sentencing
In February 2023, Kellie pleaded guilty to one felony count of tax evasion. On May 12, 2023, a Washington County judge sentenced her to 20 days in jail, three years of probation, and ordered her to pay $38,000 in restitution to the state.
During the sentencing hearing, Kellie acknowledged her wrongdoing and accepted responsibility for her actions. The relatively lenient sentence reflected her cooperation with authorities and her lack of prior criminal history.
Where is Kellie Chauvin now in 2025?
As of 2025, Kellie Chauvin is living a private life in a quiet Wisconsin suburb. She has largely disappeared from public view and maintains a low profile. In a rare 2023 interview with the New York Post, Kellie stated that Derek Chauvin “ruined my life” and expressed that she struggles to move forward despite doing her best.
She has been unable to resume her real estate career due to the notoriety associated with her former married name. Kellie reportedly lives under a new identity in an attempt to rebuild her life away from media attention. She focuses on caring for her children and maintaining her mental health after the traumatic events of 2020.
According to sources, Kellie does not maintain contact with Derek Chauvin, who is currently imprisoned in Texas and is not expected to be released until 2038.
Fast facts about Kellie Chauvin
- First Hmong Mrs. Minnesota: Kellie made history as the first Hmong woman to win the Mrs. Minnesota title in 2019.
- War refugee: She was born during the Laotian civil war and spent three years in a Thai refugee camp before immigrating to America.
- Healthcare background: Kellie worked as a radiology technician at Hennepin County Medical Center, where she met Derek Chauvin.
- Multilingual: She is fluent in Hmong and English and worked as a volunteer translator at local hospitals.
- Community advocate: Before 2020, Kellie actively supported Hmong nonprofits and provided a safe space for Hmong women experiencing difficulties.
- Two marriages: She was married twice, first in an arranged marriage to Kujay Xiong and then to Derek Chauvin for ten years.
- Mother of two: Kellie has two children from her first marriage, both of whom Derek Chauvin was stepfather to during their marriage.
- Rapid divorce: She filed for divorce just three days after George Floyd’s death and one day before Derek’s arrest.
- Tax conviction: In 2023, Kellie served 20 days in jail for tax evasion and paid $38,000 in restitution.
- Living privately: She currently resides in Wisconsin under a new identity, maintaining a low profile away from public scrutiny.
Read more: Who is Ashley Gutermuth? Biography, net worth, age, height, husband, career, comedy
Wrapping up
Kellie Chauvin’s life story is one of remarkable resilience and unexpected tragedy. From her early days as a refugee fleeing war-torn Laos to becoming the first Hmong Mrs. Minnesota, she built a successful career and dedicated herself to community service. However, her marriage to Derek Chauvin and the events of May 2020 dramatically altered her life’s trajectory. Today, Kellie lives quietly, working to rebuild her life and protect her family’s privacy while dealing with the lasting impact of being associated with one of the most controversial cases in American history.
References
- Twin Cities Press. “Refugee once shamed for her looks vying to be the first Hmong Mrs. Minnesota.“
- CNN. “Derek Chauvin’s wife requests to change her last name in divorce filing.“
- CBS News. “Kellie Chauvin, ex-wife of Derek Chauvin, sentenced in tax fraud case.“
- Star Tribune. “Derek Chauvin’s ex-wife pleads guilty to tax evasion.“
- Business Insider. “Derek Chauvin’s Ex-Wife to Spend 20 Days in Jail After Evading Taxes.“
- Fox News. “Derek Chauvin’s personal history: About his ex-wife, stepchildren, past.“
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