Olympic star Ryan Lochte's wife files for 'painful' divorce after seven years of marriage and three children

Olympic icon Ryan Lochte has spoken out after his wife of seven years revealed she had filed for divorce

Kayla Reid and the gold medalist swimmer, 40, share three children together, and she said on Instagram that her decision came after ‘deep prayer and reflection.’

Lochte also shared a statement of his own as he reacted to the big change.

‘I want to take a moment to acknowledge what Kayla shared,’ he said. ‘This past year has brought major changes for both of us as we’ve come to the difficult decision to end our marriage. I’m deeply grateful for the life we’ve built together and especially for the love we share for our three children.’

He continued: ‘Although this decision hasn’t been easy, I believe it’s the right step toward peace and well-being for us both. I remain committed to healing, growth, and co-parenting with care and respect as we move forward separately.’

‘Thank you to our family and friends for your continued support — it truly means a lot as we begin this new chapter,’ the Olympic swimmer concluded.

Kayla Reid has filed for divorce from her husband Ryan Lochte, she announced on Wednesday

Kayla Reid has filed for divorce from her husband Ryan Lochte, she announced on Wednesday

Lochte and Reid are said to have met in 2016 before getting engaged that same year

Lochte and Reid are said to have met in 2016 before getting engaged that same year

Lochte, seen at the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials in 2021, is a six-time Olympic gold medalist

Lochte, seen at the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials in 2021, is a six-time Olympic gold medalist

For her part, Kayla detailed the ‘painful’ decision to split from Lochte, who she first met in 2016. 

‘I hold marriage in the highest regard, so this has been one of the most painful, revealing, and challenging seasons of my life,’ she said. ‘I’ve been hesitant to share until I could do so from a place of healing — not from fresh, open wounds.’

 ‘Sometimes we face trials we didn’t choose or see coming. And in those moments, we’re forced to make the hardest decisions to protect our peace, our children, and our future. 

‘I’ve come to the understanding that staying isn’t always the most loving decision someone can make. For me, leaving was an act of love — for those around me and for myself.’

The couple shares son Caiden, 7, daughter Liv Rae, 5 and one-year-old daughter Georgia.

According to court records cited by People, Kayla filed for divorce on March 26.

Along with the statement she posted to Instagram, she shared a boomerang video of herself gazing into the distance as she sat inside.

She added in her statement: ‘Living with transparency and authenticity has been how I have grown into the person I am today, and I’ll continue to do so – while also protecting the parts of this journey that are private and unfolding in an unchartered territory.’

Kayla, who said she filed for divorce in March, was formerly a Playboy Playmate

Kayla, who said she filed for divorce in March, was formerly a Playboy Playmate

Lochte and Kayla are seen in a playful TikTok, as he posed in his swimming attire

Lochte and Kayla are seen in a playful TikTok, as he posed in his swimming attire

Kayla, a former Playboy Playmate, concluded her statement by saying she was ‘choosing to give herself grace,’ while asking for support and prayers from her followers. 

The couple met in 2016 before getting engaged that same year in the fall.

Lochte and Kayla ultimately got married in 2018, with People reporting at the time that they tied the knot in Palm Springs, California. 

The swimmer, who has not formally retired from competitive swimming despite not making the last Olympics, revealed last year that he was in a severe car accident which left him with serious injuries.

Lochte, 40, shared that he had spent the last 10 months recovering from a crash last November that broke his ‘femur in half.’

He said on the Athletes Only podcast that he crashed into a truck while on his way to pick up his children from school.

The swimmer, who represented Team USA in four Olympics ,explained that a trash truck had been parked in the middle of a busy four-lane street with no lights or cones to indicate that it had stopped.

The car in front of Lochte managed to swerve but the athlete wasn’t successful in avoiding the vehicle and ‘ran into the damn thing.’

Lochte has has several controversial moments throughout his swimming career.

During the 2016 Rio Games, he claimed that he and three teammates were robbed at gunpoint after a night out.

However, it was Later revealed that the armed men were actually security guards and several details of Lochte’s story proved to be fabricated. He was ultimately charged with submitting a false report to police, but charges were later dismissed after he apologized.

Two years later, the US Anti-Doping agency banned Lochte for 14 months due to his use of a prohibited IV infusion – something that Lochte, himself, revealed in a social media post, which he deleted soon thereafter.

More to follow 

You May Also Like
Blake Lively's new gossip girls: Under-siege star flaunts A-list squad after being iced out by Taylor Swift

Blake Lively showcases her glamorous group of friends after feeling excluded by Taylor Swift

After Taylor Swift removed Blake Lively from her famous group of friends,…
Air India plane crash: Authorities start handing remains of crash victims over to relatives

Victims’ families receive remains from Air India plane crash authorities

In Ahmedabad, India, authorities have initiated the process of returning the remains…
Waukegan stabbing: Adam Hoth stabbed to death during robbery attempt near Adelphi and Harrison, police department says

3 kids hurt, 1 seriously, in vehicle accident on North Western Avenue in West Town, as per Chicago Police Department

CHICAGO (WLS) — A driver was taken into custody after a Northwest…
Fathers Day 2025: Justin Timberlake, Oprah and more stars celebrate

Celebrity Celebrations of Fathers Day 2025: Justin Timberlake, Oprah, and Others

Famous personalities such as Justin Timberlake, Oprah, David Beckham, Gwen Stefani, and…
Israel urges US to join bombing as Iran sends HUGE missile shower: Tower block turns to rubble with at least 10 dead and hundreds more injured amid retaliation strikes that leave Tehran 'burning'

Israel encourages the US to participate in bombing as Iran launches a large missile attack: Building collapses, leaving at least 10 people dead and hundreds injured in response strikes that cause significant damage in Tehran.

Children are among the at least 10 people who have died in…
G7 leaders gird for 'bulldozing' Trump after organizers bear-proof sylvan meeting spot in Canada

G7 leaders prepare to deal with Trump’s strong approach after safety measures implemented at forest meeting place in Canada

During the 2002 meeting of the top eight global economies in Kananaskis,…
'No Kings' protest shooting Salt Lake City: Arturo Gamboa in custody after protester Arthur Folasa Ah Loo killed, officials say

Shooting at ‘No Kings’ protest in Salt Lake City: Arturo Gamboa arrested for the death of protester Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, authorities confirm

SALT LAKE CITY — During Salt Lake City’s “No Kings” protest, a…
Broadview facility immigration case check-in requests over Father's Day weekend raise ICE raid fears, Chicago families say

Chicago families fear ICE raids after Broadview facility asks for immigration status updates on Father’s Day weekend

BROADVIEW, Ill. (WLS) — There were concerns this Father’s Day over potential…
US Embassy in Israel tells government employees, families to shelter in place amid Iran strikes

American Embassy in Israel advises government staff and their loved ones to stay indoors during Iran attacks

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! The United States Embassy…
Man, 39, is shot and killed in 'No Kings' protest in Utah

39-year-old man fatally shot during ‘No Kings’ demonstration in Utah

A 39-year-old man died Sunday after he was shot during a ‘No…
Formerly Fired CNN Windbag Brian Stelter Steps in It Once Again, Can't Stop Politicizing Tragedy

Brian Stelter in the Spotlight Again for Politicizing a Tragedy

Frequently referred to by critics as “Tater” for his uncanny resemblance to…
Israel's strikes damaged Iranian deterrence in the region, former IDF official says

Former IDF official claims Israel’s attacks have weakened Iranian influence in the region

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Israel’s proactive strike on…