On Wednesday, six-time Olympic gold medalist Ryan Lochte and his wife, model Kayla Rae Reid, announced their divorce after seven years of marriage. The couple shared their decision on Instagram, with Reid stating it came after a period of prayer and reflection. She described the process as one of the most painful, revealing, and challenging seasons of her life.
In her Instagram post, Reid emphasized that leaving was an act of love for their children and for her own well-being. She explained that sometimes we face trials we didn’t choose, and in those moments, we’re forced to make the hardest decisions to protect our peace, our children, and our future. She expressed that staying wasn’t always the most loving decision someone can make.
Lochte then took to Instagram, saying the decision hadn’t been easy. He acknowledged Kayla’s post and shared his own reflections on the past year, which had brought major changes for both of them. He expressed gratitude for the life they had built together and especially for the love they shared with their three children. He committed to healing, growth, and co-parenting with care and respect as they moved forward.
The couple had been engaged in 2016, the same year Lochte was involved in a controversial incident at a gas station during the Rio Olympics. Initially, he claimed he and his teammates were robbed at gunpoint, but it was later determined that the individuals with the guns were actually security guards at a gas station where the swimmers had urinated outside a bathroom. As a result, Lochte lost four major sponsorships and was suspended for 10 months by USA Swimming.
Despite the challenges, Lochte won his sixth and final Olympic medal in Rio, securing a gold as part of the 4×200-meter freestyle team. Reid, who was the Playboy Playmate of the Month for July 2015, has been a part of the public eye for years. The couple’s divorce announcement marks the end of a high-profile marriage that has spanned seven years and included both personal and public trials.
As they move forward, both Lochte and Reid have expressed a commitment to co-parenting and healing. Their decision to end the marriage has sparked discussions about the challenges of public life, the pressures of fame, and the importance of personal well-being when facing difficult circumstances.