Rep. Madison Cawthorn, R-N.C., announced that he and his wife, Cristina Bayardelle Cawthorn, have agreed to divorce after just eight months of marriage. Cawthorn asked for privacy while he and his wife work through the divorce among themselves.
His congressional communication director Luke Ball announced the sad news through social media on Thursday.
“When my 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’s statement read.
“That change has been both hectic and difficult, it’s neither the pace nor the lifestyle we had planned for,” the statement continued. “From the outset, we committed to make things work, to fight for our marriage, and seek counsel for balancing the enormity of such a transition in life.”
“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,” Cawthorn’s statement concluded. “We ask for privacy as we work through this privately.”
A personal statement from Congressman Madison Cawthorn: pic.twitter.com/A5R7NOmUwc
— Luke Ball (@LukeTBall) December 22, 2021
At just 26-years-old, Cawthorn is the youngest member of Congress. He married in private in December 2020.
In April of 2021, three years after a car accident put him in a wheelchair that he will use for the rest of his life, the two had a religious ceremony with friends and family.
“On April 3rd of 2014 my life changed forever,” read Cawthorn’s statement from April 2021, announcing his marriage.
“A tragic car accident put me in a wheelchair and dashed my hopes and dreams for the future. On April 3rd of 2021 my life has once again changed forever.”
The Horn editorial team