After seven years of marriage, Olympic swimming legend Ryan Lochte is officially headed for a divorce.
His wife, Kayla Rae Reid, has filed for divorce, ending a relationship that started in 2016 and saw the couple tie the knot in 2018. The two share three young children together, but according to Kayla, the marriage had reached a point where staying was no longer the most loving choice. And now, the news of the divorce is making waves across the sports world and beyond.
Kayla, 33, broke the news with a heartfelt and emotional Instagram post, revealing that she had decided to end her marriage “after deep prayer and reflection.” Calling it “one of the most painful, revealing, and challenging seasons of my life,” she made it clear that this wasn’t a decision taken lightly. She described feeling the weight of the choice but said that in the end, leaving was the act of love that made the most sense-for herself, her children, and their future.
Court records confirmed the divorce filing took place on March 26, 2025. The couple has three children together-Caiden, 7, Liv, 5, and Georgia, who’s just 23 months old. While Kayla didn’t go into detail about what led to the split, her message hinted at emotional strain, unplanned challenges, and an ongoing process of healing. She emphasized that sometimes the kindest thing to do is to walk away when peace and growth are at stake.
And it’s not just Kayla who’s breaking the silence. Lochte, 40, also issued a statement acknowledging the end of their marriage. While he didn’t reveal much about the why either, he called the past year “a time of major changes” and said he was “deeply grateful” for the life they shared-especially their bond through parenthood. He promised to remain committed to co-parenting and emphasized the importance of moving forward with care and respect.
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Now, of course, the breakup is grabbing headlines not just because of the emotional fallout, but because Lochte isn’t just any husband-he’s one of the most decorated Olympians in U.S. history. With 12 medals to his name, including six gold, three silver, and three bronze, Lochte is second only to Michael Phelps when it comes to Olympic swimming accolades. He’s long been in the spotlight, not just for his performances in the pool, but also for his high-profile controversies and colorful personality outside it.
This divorce adds another chapter to a life already filled with ups, downs, and public scrutiny. And while Lochte didn’t name any specific reasons for the split, the vibe from both him and Kayla is clear-this was not a bitter breakup, but it was a painful one.
Kayla made it clear that she didn’t share the news right away because she wanted to do it from a place of healing and not raw heartbreak. She said she was “hesitant to share until I could do so from a place of healing-not from fresh, open wounds.” The honesty in her message struck a chord with fans who’ve followed the couple’s relationship since their early days.
When they first got together in 2016, Lochte was still recovering from the fallout of the Rio Olympics scandal. Kayla stood by him then, and they became one of the more recognizable athlete-influencer couples on social media. Their wedding in 2018 felt like a fresh start for Lochte, and they often posted about family life, parenting moments, and shared adventures. But as this news shows, not all picture-perfect moments last forever.
What’s next for Lochte? That remains to be seen. He hasn’t competed at the Olympic level in years and has been shifting more into family life and endorsements. Whether this changes his public image or pushes him into a new chapter personally or professionally is anyone’s guess.
But one thing’s for sure, Ryan Lochte’s divorce just became one of the biggest celebrity athlete breakups of the year. And with three kids in the middle of it, both Ryan and Kayla have made it clear they’re focusing on healing and raising their children with love and stability, even if it’s no longer under the same roof.
No drama, no shade, just real-life heartbreak in the spotlight. And as both Ryan Lochte and Kayla move on with a divorce, fans will be watching and probably rooting-for peace on both sides.
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