Who is Madison Cawthorn's ex-wife? Cristina Bayardelle spoke of issues in 8-month marriage
Rep. Madison Cawthorn's ex-wife Cristina Bayardelle previously admitted that being married to the North Carolina congressman was "strenuous" and that the transition into public life had "unexpected" difficulties.
Cawthorn, 26, is no stranger to controversy. A recently surfaced video showed America's youngest Congress member naked and forcing his groin at a man's head. The clip appears politically motivated as it was first shared by a website called 'Fire Madison Cawthorn' just days before the May 17 primary in North Carolina. MEAWW previously reported how the North Carolina Rep. was caught with a loaded Staccato C2 handgun at Charlotte airport.
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Cawthorn revealed in December that he and his wife were divorcing just eight months after tying the knot. Bayardelle spoke highly of her husband following the announcement, while noting the hurdles they faced. "Madison is amazing – we’ve had an incredible journey together," she said in a statement to Fox 46. "Our marriage, like every marriage, has had its difficulties. The lifestyle shift into public life has been strenuous, and many aspects of the transition have been unexpected."
The North Carolina Republican had announced that he and his wife mutually made the "enormously difficult decision" to part ways after realizing there were "irreconcilable differences" between them. "When Cristina and I were engaged, I was not a member of Congress. I felt called to serve and we both agreed that I should run. Our victory was unprecedented, but overnight our lives changed," Cawthorn said through his spokesperson. "That change has been both hectic and difficult, it's neither the pace nor the lifestyle we had planned for," he added.
Cawthorn shot to prominence after beating former President Donald J. Trump's endorsee for North Carolina's 11th congressional district, Lydia Bennett. He has since been in the spotlight for his scorching political rhetoric. In August, he promised "bloodshed" if there was another "stolen" election. He has also described apprehended January 6 rioters as "political prisoners."
Who is Madison Cawthorn's ex-wife?
Cristina Bayardelle, 28, is a fitness model, athlete, fitness instructor, personal trainer, and entrepreneur from Florida. She reportedly works for the fitness company CrossFit and has competed in six different CrossFit tournaments over the last five years. Meanwhile, she is also studying to be an anesthesiologist, according to her social media.
Cawthorn and Bayardelle took the holy vows on April 3, 2021 in a private ceremony with loved ones following a whirlwind romance.
"I want to live in the world he creates, I just don’t want to be married to someone changing the world. While we have agreed to be apart now, we still have a great friendship and there’s no ill-will. Madison is a fighter – he will help save this country," Bayardelle said in her statement on the divorce.
Meanwhile, the Republican firebrand said he and his wife were "committed to making things work" but soon realized they were unable to balance his public life and their marriage. "From the outset, we committed to making things work, to fight for our marriage, and seek counsel for balancing the enormity of such a transition in life," Cawthorn explained. "Together, we realized that balance was not attainable and that we had irreconcilable differences between us. While it was an enormously difficult decision, Cristina and I have mutually decided to divorce. We ask for privacy as we work through this privately."
On April 3rd of 2014 my life changed. A car accident put me in a wheelchair. On April 3rd of 2021 my life has once again changed.
— Madison Cawthorn (@CawthornforNC) April 4, 2021
Marrying Cristina Bayardelle, now Cristina Cawthorn is the greatest honor, privilege, and adventure of my life.
Trust in God. He moves Mountains! pic.twitter.com/OIHsXbYeJE
While announcing their marriage to the world, Cawthorn said tying the knot with Bayardelle was the "greatest honor, privilege and adventure of my life." The pair, who met each other via mutual friends, went public with their engagement in October 2020. Cawthorn, who was paralyzed in a car crash at the age of 21, previously gushed how he had never seen anyone do as many pull-ups as Bayardelle and that he spent months learning how to kneel in order to pop the question.
Bayardelle said they "hit it off" instantly and that she knew he "was the one" just after four months of dating. Cawthorn went on to become the youngest congressman in November 2020 after defeating his Democratic rival Moe Davis for North Carolina's 11th Congressional District seat.