Famed Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte is opening up about his divorce from wife Kayla Rae Reid after seven years of marriage.
In the wake of the former Playboy model’s divorce revelation Wednesday, the 12-time Olympic medalist broke his silence in a candid Instagram post, expressing that while the decision “hasn’t been easy,” he believes “it’s the right step toward peace and well-being” for himself and Reid.
“I want to take a moment to acknowledge what Kayla shared. This past year has brought major changes for both of us as we’ve come to the difficult decision to end our marriage,” the 40-year-old Lochte penned.
“I’m deeply grateful for the life we’ve built together and especially for the love we share for our three children.
“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.”
Reid, who shares daughters Liv, 5, Georgia, 1, and 7-year-old son Caiden with Lochte, announced Wednesday she and the six-time Olympic gold medalist had gone their separate ways.
“Earlier this year, I made the hard decision to end my marriage after deep prayer and reflection,” she posted on social media. “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.”
The message from Reid came roughly two months after she filed for divorce on March 26, according to People, citing court records.
“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,” Reid added in her message.
“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 uncharted territory.”
Lochte concluded his message Wednesday by thanking loved ones for their “continued support” as he and Reid navigate new waters.
“It truly means a lot as we begin this next chapter,” he shared.
Lochte married Reid in 2018 — two years after he found himself at the center of international controversy for falsely claiming he and teammates had been robbed at gunpoint during the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
He was dropped by sponsors in the aftermath and hit with a 10-month suspension from USA Swimming.
Lochte expressed gratitude for Reid at the time as she stayed by his side through the scandal.
“Through everything that’s happened, we’ve established ups and downs [that] most people establish in a relationship in 20 years. We did it in a matter of almost a year,” Lochte told “Entertainment Tonight” in 2016. “She stuck right there by me and just was my rock. That’s when I knew. I was like, ‘I’m not letting this one go.’”
The pair got engaged in 2016.
