Basic Information
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ahmed Nur Said Elmi |
| Nationality | British–Somali |
| Primary Public Role | Former spouse of U.S. Representative Ilhan Abdullahi Omar |
| Legal Marriage Date | February 12, 2009 |
| Legal Divorce Date | December 4, 2017 |
| Religious Separation | 2011 |
| High School Education | Attended a Minneapolis-area high school |
| University Education | Enrolled at North Dakota State University |
| Children with Omar | None documented |
| Known Residence (Post-2017) | Reportedly living in Africa |
Early Life and Education
Public documents of Ahmed Nur Said Elmi’s youth are few. He graduated high school in Minneapolis–Saint Paul in the mid-2000s after being born to Somali parents of British nationality. Within months after high school graduation, he enrolled in North Dakota State University, like his future wife. His university emphasis and extracurricular activities are unknown, and he is not included in student leadership or scholarly publishing directories.
Marriage to Ilhan Abdullahi Omar
In Hennepin County, Minnesota, Ahmed Nur Said Elmi married Ilhan Abdullahi Omar on February 12, 2009. Omar was an undergraduate and Elmi was settling in the Twin Cities. After two years, the couple went their own ways due to a religious split in 2011. Despite the religious schism, their marriage was officially dissolved on December 4, 2017, over nine years after being married.
| Milestone | Date | Duration/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Religious Separation | 2011 | Began separation of faith and household |
| Legal Divorce Finalized | December 4, 2017 | Divorce decree issued |
| Total Legal Marriage Period | February 2009–December 2017 | ~8 years, 10 months |
During and after the separation period, Omar addressed public inquiries by clarifying Elmi’s status as a British citizen and acknowledging that their legally binding marriage persisted until late 2017.
Public Records and Controversies
Tax-Filing Discrepancy (2014–2015)
Ilhan Omar filed combined federal returns with Ahmed Abdisalan Hirsi in 2014 and 2015, despite her lawful marriage to Elmi. After state records revealed this mismatch, Omar’s household files were scrutinized without Elmi being implicated.
Shared Residential Address
According to property and lease data, Elmi, Omar, and Hirsi utilized the same Minnesota residence at different times between 2009 and 2012. It raised doubts about home structure, but Somali-American extended family support networks explained it.
Online Rumors and Debunked Conspiracy
- June 12, 2012: A now-deleted Instagram post showed Elmi holding Omar’s newborn daughter, captioned “my niece,” which fueled false allegations that Elmi was Omar’s brother and that their marriage was fraudulent.
- 2016 Onward: Right-wing blogs and Somali-American forums circulated the sibling-marriage conspiracy, claiming immigration fraud; thorough investigations by multiple fact-checking organizations and federal inquiries found no evidence to support these claims.
Personal Life and Later Activities
After his 2017 divorce, Elmi disappeared from the public glare and curtailed his internet presence. In 2019, investigative research found his social media activity in numerous African nations, indicating a cultural homecoming. No public documents show remarriage or career. Unreported financial worth, employment history, and familial links (parents or siblings) reflect a desire for seclusion over public involvement.
FAQ
Who is Ahmed Nur Said Elmi?
He is a British–Somali individual primarily known for his marriage from 2009 to 2017 to U.S. Representative Ilhan Abdullahi Omar.
When did Elmi and Omar legally marry and divorce?
They legally married on February 12, 2009, and their divorce was finalized on December 4, 2017.
Did Ahmed Nur Said Elmi and Ilhan Omar have children together?
No public records indicate that Elmi and Omar had any children during their marriage.
What was the nature of the conspiracy involving Elmi?
False rumors alleged Elmi was Omar’s brother and that their marriage was fraudulent, claims which have been comprehensively debunked.
Where is Ahmed Nur Said Elmi living now?
Available information suggests he has been residing in various African locations since at least 2019.
References
| Source | Description |
|---|---|
| https://apnews.com/article/archive-fact-checking-5800650010 | Marriage to Ilhan Omar on February 12, 2009, religious separation in 2011, and divorce finalized December 4, 2017 |
| https://www.politifact.com/article/2019/jul/18/did-ilhan-omar-marry-her-brother-her-hometown-news/ | Debunking of marriage-to-brother conspiracy, and details on education and shared residence |
| https://www.startribune.com/new-documents-revisit-questions-about-rep-ilhan-omar-s-marriage-history/511681362 | Reporting on the 2014–15 tax-filing discrepancy and subsequent location and household arrangement questions |