If you’ve spent any time watching the Arkansas cattle rancher on your screen, you know the vibe. Colton Hendricks is that classic, third-generation farmer who says what he means and doesn't have much time for fluff. He became a household name on Farmer Wants a Wife Season 3, but while everyone was busy watching him choose between Zoe and Keeley, a lot of folks were scratching their heads about his past. Specifically, the mystery of the Colton Hendricks ex wife.
The show made it clear from day one: Colton is a divorced single dad. He wasn't some young bachelor just looking for a fun summer fling. He was a 28-year-old man from Mena, Arkansas, with a young son named Souther (often nicknamed "the bean") and a 600-acre ranch to run. Honestly, knowing he had a kid and a failed marriage made him feel way more "real" than your typical reality TV contestant.
But who is she? And what actually happened?
Rheyn: The Woman Behind the Name
While the show mostly focused on Colton’s search for a new wife, fans did some digging. According to reports from InTouch and People, Colton's ex-wife is a woman named Rheyn.
They weren't just some high school sweethearts who played house for a few months. They built a life together, even if it didn't last. The most significant thing they share, of course, is their son, Souther. If you follow Colton on social media, you’ve seen the kid. He’s usually in a cowboy hat, hanging out with his dad and the horses.
Colton and Rheyn officially divorced in 2023.
That’s a pretty recent split when you consider when the show started filming. It explains why Colton was so hesitant and "indecisive" during the season. He wasn't just being difficult. He was a guy who had already been through the wringer once. He knew the stakes. When you have a toddler involved, you don't just "try out" a relationship. You need someone who is ready to be a mom immediately.
📖 Related: How Old Is Breanna Nix? What the American Idol Star Is Doing Now
Why the First Marriage Ended
We don't have a messy, televised tell-all about why Colton and Rheyn split. Colton is pretty private about that side of his life, which is actually kind of refreshing. He hasn't gone on podcasts to trash her. He hasn't posted cryptic TikToks.
Basically, he’s kept it about the co-parenting.
During the show, he mentioned that dating in a small town like Mena is tough. Everyone knows everyone. If you’re a divorced dad in a tiny community, your options aren't exactly endless. That’s why he signed up for the show in the first place. He wanted to find someone who specifically understood the ranching lifestyle and wouldn't be scared off by the "single dad" title.
The Zoe Green "Winner" Confusion
For a minute there, people thought the Colton Hendricks ex wife conversation would be replaced by a "new wife" conversation with Zoe Green.
As we all saw in the Season 3 finale, Colton chose Zoe. He told her he loved her "beauty and brains." They talked about a long-distance relationship. But let’s be real: long-distance between Florida (where Zoe lives) and a remote Arkansas ranch is a nightmare.
Unsurprisingly, it fizzled.
👉 See also: Whitney Houston Wedding Dress: Why This 1992 Look Still Matters
By May 2025, just days after the finale aired, the truth came out. They weren't together. Zoe posted some stuff on Instagram about how "all is forgiven" and "life is too short to hold hate." It was very "it is what it is."
Enter Cassie McCowan (The Real Ending)
Here is where the story gets wild. Just as fans were wondering if Colton was going back to his ex-wife or staying single, a new face appeared: Cassie McCowan.
It turns out Colton and Cassie actually met before the show ever filmed. When Colton got the call that he was cast for Season 3, they decided they couldn't pursue a relationship at that time. He went on the show, did the whole TV romance thing, and eventually realized it wasn't working with Zoe.
What did he do? He called Cassie.
He basically told her, "I picked a girl and she didn't want anything to do with me." (His words, not mine!) Cassie gave him another shot. And it stuck.
In a massive surprise to fans, Colton and Cassie didn't just date. They moved fast. By November 2025, they were engaged. Then, on December 22, 2025, they officially tied the knot in a beautiful farm wedding.
✨ Don't miss: Finding the Perfect Donny Osmond Birthday Card: What Fans Often Get Wrong
Where Things Stand in 2026
So, if you’re looking for the current status of the Colton Hendricks ex wife situation, here’s the breakdown:
- Rheyn (The Ex-Wife): They continue to co-parent their son, Souther. They finalized their divorce in 2023.
- Souther: He’s still the "bean" and a fixture on the ranch.
- Cassie McCowan (The New Wife): She is now officially Mrs. Hendricks. She’s been pictured frequently with Souther, and Colton has said she is "everything he was looking for."
It’s a bit of a rollercoaster, honestly. You go from a 2023 divorce to a reality TV show to a breakup and then a wedding to a woman you knew before the cameras started rolling.
The lesson here? Sometimes the "reality" in reality TV is just a detour. Colton needed to go through the process to realize that what he wanted was actually right in front of him before he ever stepped onto a film set.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you're following Colton’s journey or similar reality TV stories, keep these things in mind:
- Check the Timeline: Reality shows often film 6–12 months before they air. By the time you see a "winner," the couple might have been broken up for half a year.
- Social Media is the Real Finale: If you want to know who someone is actually with, look at their "tagged" photos on Instagram rather than their produced posts.
- Privacy Matters: The fact that we know so little about Colton's ex-wife Rheyn is a sign of a healthy co-parenting relationship. Usually, when things are messy, everyone knows the details. Silence is often a sign of respect for the child involved.
You can find more updates on Colton's ranch life and his new marriage on his official Instagram, where he regularly posts clips of life on the farm in Arkansas.