Who Is Ryan Lochte’s Girlfriend, Molly Gillihan? Inside Their Relationship

Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte entered a new chapter in his personal life with girlfriend Molly Gillihan, a kindergarten teacher and mother of three. The couple now lives together and has blended their families, with Lochte sharing three children with his estranged ex-wife, Kayla Rae Reid. Lochte has described his romance with Gillihan as a fresh start centered on family and personal growth. However, the transition unfolded amid a highly public split from Reid. Here’s what to know about Lochte’s relationship with Gillihan.

Who is Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte’s girlfriend, Molly Gillihan?

Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte has openly talked about his girlfriend, Molly Gillihan, since January 2026. So, who is Gillihan? According to People, she’s from the Midwest and was previously married to a doctor in Missouri. In July 2025, Lochte revealed that Gillihan is a kindergarten teacher. She also has three children: two daughters, Layla and Maggie, and a son, Oliver. As for how the couple met, they reportedly crossed paths at their children’s school.

In a 2025 interview with the Daily Mail, Lochte spoke highly of Gillihan’s huge heart. He noted that she had extreme patience, and they were having fun in their romance. He also loved that he and Gillihan would have a blended family.

“I fell in love with someone who shares those same values and who has three children of her own,” he said. “Together, we’re a family of six kids.”

Lochte also verified that he met Gillihan after his split from his ex-wife, Kayla Rae Reid. He noted that he was “out of the house” by the time this new romance began. “There was no infidelity with Molly, like nothing,” he told the Daily Mail. “Molly didn’t do anything wrong. She didn’t pursue me; I pursued her.”

The couple reportedly made their relationship Instagram official in July 2025. By January 2026, they moved in together.

“Everything I’ve done over the last 10 months has been about my kids and becoming the best father I can be for them,” Lochte told People after he and Gillihan moved in together. “That meant doing the work — going to rehab, rededicating my life to Christ, going to therapy, and making changes that put my children first.”

Kayla Rae Reid filed for divorce from Ryan Lochte after 7 years

In June 2025, Ryan Lochte’s then-wife, Kayla Rae Reid, confirmed that she and Lochte were divorcing after seven years. According to People, she filed for divorce in March 2026. The couple first met in 2016 and got married in 2018. They have three children: Caiden, 8, Liv, 6, and Georgia, 2.

“Earlier this year, I made the hard decision to end my marriage after deep prayer and reflection,” Reid posted on Instagram. “I hold marriage in the highest regard, so this has been one of the most painful, revealing, and challenging seasons of my life. I’ve been hesitant to share until I could do so from a place of healing — not from fresh, open wounds.”

Reid noted that she chose to make the divorce announcement to live with “transparency and authenticity.” However, she also hoped to protect the “parts of this journey that are private and unfolding in uncharted territory.”

In February 2026, Reid told People that she and Lochte were “not in a good place” as their divorce dragged on. “I really pray that he becomes the father our kids deserve,” she continued.

Kayla Rae Reid shared emails to her Instagram Stories allegedly showing her ex bragging about his new girlfriend

According to Page Six, Kayle Rae Reid shared alleged emails from Ryan Lochte to her Instagram Stories. The emails show Lochte bragging about his girlfriend, Molly Gillihan.

“Molly is a ten times better mother then [sic] you will ever be and I think if it was bad idea we wouldn’t go,” Lochte’s alleged email reads. “Look at the offer I just sent to your lawyer and move on with your gold-digging life.”

“This is what I deal with every. single. day,” Reid wrote above the email. “This is after I checked in on our 2-year-old with strep throat.” She added that this email was just “the tip of the iceberg,” leaving her exhausted. “My heart goes out to anyone else navigating a similar situation. Tired of being continuously disrespected behind closed doors. Literally 2/1000 messages.”