US Olympic legend Ryan Lochte’s divorce from his estranged wife Kayla Rae Reid has been finalized, court records show.
Former Playboy model Reid filed for divorce in March 2025 following seven years of marriage, sparking an ugly fallout of bitter public and legal jabs between the former spouses.
The former couple share three children together – son Caiden, nine, daughter Liv, seven, and daughter Georgia, three.
Lochte, 41, has already moved on, announcing his engagement to Molly Gillihan, a 37-year-old kindergarten teacher, after 14 months of dating.
The retired swimmer celebrated his divorce this week, telling People in a statement that he and Gillihan can start planning their wedding now.
‘Finally, now my new and improved chapter of full happiness can start,’ Lochte said. ‘Wedding planning starts today.’
Ryan Lochte’s divorce from his estranged wife Kayla Rae Reid has been finalized
The former Olympian is already engaged to his girlfriend, kindergarten teacher Molly Gillihan
The six-time Olympic Gold medalist popped the question to Gillihan last month at the same restaurant where they shared their first date.
However, many hit out at the Olympian for moving on so quickly, while his ugly divorce saga was still dragging on.
Reid also welcomed the split becoming official, saying: ‘Divorce has been one of the hardest experiences of my life, but it has also revealed a strength I didn’t know I had.
‘I’m grateful to be moving forward with clarity, peace, and a lot of faith in what’s ahead.’
‘Divorce is never something you celebrate, but there is something incredibly empowering about surviving it and realizing you are stronger than you ever gave yourself credit for,’ she added.
‘To my family, friends, community, and everyone who showed up for me when I needed it most: thank you. I couldn’t have done this without you.’
Reid filed for divorce in March 2025, announcing the split publicly three months later in June 2025.
At the time of their split, Reid wrote in a lengthy Instagram post that she made the ‘hard decision to end my marriage after deep prayer and reflection’ following a season she described as ‘painful’ and ‘challenging.’
Former Playboy model Reid celebrated the divorce in an Instagram post on Wednesday
Pictured: Lochte, his ex-wife Kayla and two of the three children that the former couple share
Reid filed for divorce in March 2025, alleging Lochte did drugs in front of their kids
While she hinted at ‘betrayal’ in that initial announcement, Lochte was spotted cozying up to Gillihan shortly after, though he has adamantly denied any overlap between the two relationships.
Their separation took an ugly turn earlier this year when Reid levied further accusations of cheating against the former Olympian.
On an episode of her podcast ‘The Comeback Era with Caroline and Kayla,’ Reid claimed that Lochte and Gillihan began their relationship before the married couple separated.
‘I’m so happy for him,’ Reid said with heavy sarcasm. ‘They’ve been happy for a very long time. Very long time. For many years. They go way back.’
In court filings, Reid also alleged that the ex-swimmer used drugs in front of their children.
However, Lochte has maintained that he ‘never did drugs in front of the kids’ despite the accusations from Reid. He also claimed he never considered himself to have been addicted.
The former swimmer won 12 Olympic medals – six gold – during his decorated career
Lochte reportedly proposed to Gillihan at the same restaurant where they had their first date
Further tension broke out between the feuding former couple following Lochte’s new job announcement.
Lochte, who remains one of the most decorated Olympic athletes in history, announced last month that he is moving into the world of collegiate sports to become assistant swim coach at Missouri State.
The job will see him move – at least some of the time – from his home in Gainesville, Florida, to the university campus a 15-hour drive away.
The decision reportedly left Reid furious with the former model believing that the move will be ‘challenging’ for their three young children, who are staying back with her in Florida – despite Lochte offering his estranged wife the house, everything in it, and $25,000 if she would let the kids go with him to Missouri.
