The name Derek Chauvin became known worldwide after George Floyd’s death in May 2020. But behind the headlines stood a woman who quickly stepped away from the spotlight—his wife, Kellie May Chauvin. Within days of the incident that changed everything, she filed for divorce, ending a decade-long marriage that had once seemed picture-perfect.
Many people searched for answers about the woman married to one of the most controversial figures in recent American history. Who was she before the media attention? What led her to make such a swift decision to leave? Her story reveals a journey from refugee child to beauty queen to real estate professional—and ultimately to someone seeking privacy after unimaginable public scrutiny.
Who Is Derek Chauvin’s Wife?
Kellie May Chauvin, born Kellie May Xiong, became Derek Chauvin’s spouse around 2010. Before their marriage ended in 2021, she had built her own identity separate from her husband’s career in law enforcement. She won the Mrs. Minnesota pageant in 2018 and worked as a real estate agent and photographer.
The former Mrs. Minnesota grew up in a Hmong refugee family that fled Laos during the Vietnam War era. Her background represents one of Minnesota’s significant immigrant communities, particularly concentrated in the Twin Cities area where she and Derek lived.
At 46 years old, when their divorce was finalized, Kellie had spent her adult life building careers in real estate and photography while supporting various community causes. Her public presence before 2020 centered on her pageant work and professional achievements rather than her role as a police officer’s wife.
Early Life & Hmong Heritage
Kellie’s family arrived in the United States as refugees when she was young. The Xiong family, like thousands of other Hmong families, escaped Laos after supporting American forces during the Vietnam War. They settled in Minnesota, which became home to one of the largest Hmong populations in the country.
Growing up in this tight-knit community shaped her values and work ethic. Hmong families often emphasize education, hard work, and supporting one another through challenges. These cultural foundations would later help her navigate both professional success and personal crisis.
Her heritage remained important throughout her adult life. Even during her pageant appearances, she spoke about representing her community and showing young Hmong women that they could achieve their dreams in America. This connection to her roots made her later decision to seek privacy even more significant—she had been a visible role model before everything changed.
Education & Career Beginnings
Kellie pursued higher education and built a career in real estate, becoming a licensed agent in Minnesota. Her work required strong communication skills and the ability to help families find homes—skills that served her well in various professional settings.
She also developed an interest in photography, often combining her artistic eye with her real estate background to create compelling property listings. Photography became both a business skill and a creative outlet, allowing her to work behind the camera rather than always being in front of it.
Her diverse skill set helped her build financial independence. This professional foundation proved crucial later when she needed to rebuild her life after her marriage ended. She had never been just “Derek Chauvin’s wife”—she had always maintained her career and identity.
How Kellie May and Derek Met
The couple met in the mid-2000s when Derek was already established in his law enforcement career with the Minneapolis Police Department. Their relationship developed over several years before they married around 2010.
At the time, Derek appeared to be a stable partner with a steady job in public service. Kellie was building her career and seemed to find in him someone who supported her professional goals. Their different backgrounds—his in law enforcement, hers in business and community work—seemed to complement each other.
Their Wedding & Family Life
Their wedding was a private affair, reflecting Kellie’s preference for keeping personal matters away from public attention. The couple didn’t have children together, though Derek had children from previous relationships.
For nearly a decade, they lived what appeared to be a quiet suburban life. Kellie continued her real estate work while Derek served with the Minneapolis Police Department. She supported his career while maintaining her own professional identity, and they seemed to have built a comfortable life together in Minnesota.
Their marriage survived Derek’s various controversies with the police department over the years. Even when he faced complaints and disciplinary actions, Kellie stood by him. This makes her swift decision to file for divorce in 2020 even more striking—it suggested that George Floyd’s death crossed a line she couldn’t accept.
Life in the Spotlight: Pageants & Photography
In 2018, Kellie achieved a longtime goal by winning the Mrs. Minnesota pageant. The competition celebrates married women who balance personal achievements with community service. For Kellie, winning represented years of hard work and personal growth.
As Mrs. Minnesota, she used her platform to advocate for her community and speak about her immigrant experience. She participated in charity events and spoke to young people about pursuing their dreams despite challenges. The role gave her confidence and a sense of purpose beyond her business career.
Her photography work complemented her pageant activities. She understood both sides of the camera—how to present herself professionally and how to capture compelling images for others. This artistic skill helped her connect with clients in her real estate business and gave her creative satisfaction.
The pageant title brought positive attention to her family’s refugee story and her professional accomplishments. She seemed to enjoy representing Minnesota at national events and building connections with other accomplished women. None of this public success hinted at the dramatic change coming just two years later.
The Turning Point: Filing for Divorce
On May 29, 2020—just four days after George Floyd’s death—Kellie Chauvin filed for divorce from Derek. The timing shocked many observers, but her statement made her position clear: she could not support what had happened.
Court documents revealed that she requested to change her last name back to her maiden name, Xiong. This decision went beyond just ending the marriage—she wanted to distance herself completely from the Chauvin name and everything it had come to represent.
The divorce filing came before Derek was even formally charged with murder. Kellie’s quick action suggested she immediately understood the gravity of the situation and knew her marriage couldn’t survive it. Her decision showed both personal conviction and practical thinking about her future.
Legal experts noted how unusual it was for a spouse to file for divorce so quickly after such an incident. Usually, family members wait to see how legal proceedings develop. Kellie’s immediate action sent a strong message about where she stood on her husband’s actions.
Kellie’s Public Statements & Court Battles
Throughout the divorce proceedings and Derek’s trial, Kellie maintained relative silence. She issued only brief statements through her attorney, emphasizing her desire for privacy and her focus on moving forward with her life.
Her most significant public comment came in her divorce filing, where she stated that the marriage was “irretrievably broken” and that she sought to dissolve all ties with Derek. She didn’t elaborate publicly on her feelings about the case or her ex-husband’s actions.
The divorce proceedings remained mostly private, sealed by court order to protect Kellie from media attention. This legal protection allowed her to handle personal matters without constant public scrutiny during an already difficult time.
She faced her legal challenges when federal prosecutors charged her with tax fraud related to underreporting income from photography work. In 2021, she pleaded guilty to the charges and received probation and community service. This legal matter was separate from Derek’s case but added to her stress during the divorce process.
Life After Separation: New Name & New Chapter
The divorce became final in February 2021, officially ending the marriage that had lasted over a decade. Kellie successfully changed her legal name back to Kellie May Xiong, symbolically reclaiming her identity from before her marriage.
She stepped away from social media and public appearances, choosing privacy over any attempt to capitalize on public interest in her story. This decision reflected her desire to rebuild her life away from the spotlight that had been thrust upon her.
Her real estate license remained active, suggesting she continued working in the field she knew well. Photography work also likely continued, though she kept her professional activities private. Having marketable skills helped her maintain independence during this transition.
The name change represented more than legal paperwork—it marked her determination to move forward as her person rather than being defined by her ex-husband’s actions. She had been Kellie Xiong before she was Kellie Chauvin, and she was returning to that identity.
Where Is Kellie Chauvin Now?
Kellie Chauvin has largely disappeared from public view since her divorce was finalized. She maintains no visible social media presence and avoids interviews or public appearances. This choice reflects her commitment to privacy after months of unwanted attention.
Real estate records suggest she may have relocated within Minnesota or possibly left the state entirely. Given the intense media coverage her family received, a fresh start somewhere new would make sense. Her professional skills would allow her to work anywhere in the country.
She has not remarried or been romantically linked to anyone publicly since her divorce. At 47 years old, she appears focused on rebuilding her personal and professional life rather than seeking new relationships. This approach shows her priority on stability and independence.
Her story serves as a reminder that the families of people involved in high-profile cases often become unwilling participants in public drama. Kellie May Xiong chose to remove herself from that narrative as quickly and completely as possible, prioritizing her future over any connection to her past marriage.
The former Mrs. Minnesota transformed from pageant winner to divorce filer to private citizen in less than two years. Her journey shows how quickly life can change and how important it can be to make difficult decisions when values and circumstances no longer align. Today, she represents the possibility of starting over, even after being connected to one of the most controversial cases in recent American history.
