After months of legal back-and-forth, Ryan Lochte and Kayla Reid have finalized their divorce. Reid says she’s moving forward with clarity, peace, and faith—while Lochte keeps it short, announcing “wedding planning starts today.”
Ryan Lochte and Kayla Reid have finally closed the chapter on their eight-year marriage.
Court records reported on by People confirm that their divorce has been finalized, bringing an end to months of legal back-and-forth after a very public split.
For Reid, the finish line comes with emotions she doesn’t sugarcoat. In comments to the magazine this week, she described divorce as one of the hardest experiences of her life—while insisting it also revealed a strength she hadn’t known she had.
“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.”
The former model—now a Florida real estate agent and podcast host—said she’s focused on rebuilding her life while facing the day-to-day realities of being a mother and provider. She added:
“While there are still challenges as I navigate this next season as a mother and provider, I genuinely believe the best chapters of my life are still unwritten.”
Reid also reflected on what getting through the divorce has taught her. “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.”
And she saved special thanks for the people who supported her during the hardest stretch, telling the magazine: “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.”
The couple share three children—son Caiden, 9, daughter Liv, 7, and daughter Georgia, 3—and the divorce process had turned increasingly contentious as it played out. Their path to finalization included disputes that dragged on before they reached the finish line.
Lochte, for his part, sounded ready to move on fast. His statement to People was brief, and it landed like a punchy announcement rather than a drawn-out reflection:
“Finally, now my new and improve chapter of full happiness can start. Wedding planning starts today.”
It’s a line that comes shortly after he went public with his engagement to Molly Gillihan. Lochte announced last month that he’s engaged, with Gillihan—described as a teacher—entering his life after his split from Reid.
The two made their romance Instagram official in July of last year, and the timing quickly turned into a full-on engagement story. He proposed at Prime & Pearl restaurant in Gainesville, Florida, the same location where they enjoyed their very first date.
Their relationship is also a blending of families. Gillihan has three children of her own—daughters Layla and Maggie, and son Oliver—who are now joining Lochte’s three kids in one household.
Outside of family life, Lochte has been pursuing another reset as well. Earlier this year, he accepted a university coaching position with Missouri State University, signaling a fresh start beyond the pool.
Reid’s message. full of gratitude and forward-looking hope. meets Lochte’s quick turn toward “wedding planning.” The contrast is stark—but both statements orbit the same reality: the divorce is finalized. and now the work of moving forward will fall to them. day by day. with their children at the center of everything.
As their next chapters begin, the biggest question for many fans is the same one that tends to matter most in situations like this—what kind of stability and happiness their blended family can build from here.
Ryan Lochte Kayla Reid divorce finalized Molly Gillihan engagement blended family Prime & Pearl Missouri State University Perezcious