Ryan Lochte is making waves again—this time, it’s for his engagement to girlfriend Molly Gillihan. The Olympic swimmer confirmed that he and Gillihan were engaged after a year of dating, telling the media that he was excited to be “moving on” with his life. Lochte’s major life update comes a year after the gold medalist announced that he and his estranged wife, Kayla Reid, were divorcing.
According to several outlets, including PEOPLE and TMZ, Lochte got engaged to Gillihan on June 19, 2026. He confirmed the news with the media, stating that he was looking forward to “bigger and better things” with his soon-to-be wife.
The special occasion happened at Prime & Pearl in Gainesville, Florida, after Gillihan learned of Lochte’s plans to propose to her on her family’s farm in Missouri. Lochte shared that Gillihan was surprised with a table full of roses and a letter with the big question written in it.
“She immediately started crying and said, ‘What took you so long?’” Lochte said.
Ryan Lochte Confirmed His Relationship With Gillihan In July 2025 With An Instagram Post
Lochte made headlines last summer when he went Instagram official with his girlfriend, and several months later, faced heat from social media users for flaunting their decision to move in together online, per The Blast.
Lochte said at the time that deciding to come together under one roof was easy because of their special connection and their kids’ growing friendship. “We needed a bigger home to support our blended family, and we’re focused on creating a loving, stable environment for all of our children,” he said in January 2026.
Some netizens believed the former elite athlete was moving too quickly, given that he had announced his separation from his estranged wife, Reid, months earlier. However, Lochte said that he and Gillihan were unable to hide what they’d formed together.
“Everything happens for a reason,” the 41-year-old said. “And it was God’s way of saying enough is enough between both of you, between me and Kayla, of just being miserable and not happy and not living our best life. So we got separated and now I’m living my best life.”
Inside Ryan Lochte’s Divorce From His Estranged Wife
The Blast reported on Lochte and Reid’s separation in the summer of 2025. The latter opened up about her decision to split from the Olympian with a lengthy, emotional Instagram post. While Reid didn’t go into details at the time, she admitted that leaving Lochte was a “challenging” decision.
“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,” she added.
Lochte also released a statement about his split from Reid, stating that he was “grateful” for what they’d built together over the years—including their three children, Caiden, Liv, and Georgia. “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,” he continued.
Netizens Are Slamming Lochte After Announcing Engagement To Gillihan
While Lochte is celebrating the news of his engagement to Gillihan, social media users are blasting the “Traitors” alum for appearing to have moved on too quickly.
“Bro is one big red flag,” one user wrote, while another posted, “This will end well.” A third user also chimed in on the conversation, criticizing Lochte for getting engaged before even being divorced. “Went from a diamond to a rock,” they shared.
Lochte And Gillihan Are Swimming Into A New Chapter In Missouri
According to a previous report from The Blast, Lochte and Gillihan are starting a new chapter in Missouri after the swimmer accepted a new job as the assistant swim coach at Missouri State University.
Lochte’s contract is worth a reported $30,000, which works out to $34 an hour over the contract period (August 2026 to June 2027).