Sometimes, love finds you in the most unexpected places—like the morning school drop-off.
For Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte, that’s exactly how life took a surprising new turn.
Fresh off the announcement of his divorce, the 40-year-old athlete has opened up about a budding romance with 37-year-old kindergarten teacher and mother of three, Molly Gillihan.
In an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com, Lochte shared how the connection sparked and clarified that despite public assumptions, there was no cheating involved in the timeline.
Falling Fast and Clearing the Air
“I didn’t cheat on my ex-wife,” Lochte said plainly.
“Molly didn’t come into my life until after the divorce process had already started.”
He emphasized that the decision to move on came after Kayla Rae Reid, 34, filed for divorce.
“I was already out of the house, living alone when I met Molly,” he explained.
“She didn’t chase me—I was the one who pursued her.”
The pair met through their children, who attend the same school in Gainesville, Florida.
Lochte has three kids, while Molly also has three of her own.
Meet Molly: A Patient Partner and Devoted Mom
So who is Molly Gillihan? According to Lochte, she’s a woman with “a huge heart and the patience of a saint.”
As a kindergarten teacher and hands-on mom, she caught his attention with her calm nature and kindness.
“I’m really happy,” Lochte said.
“We’re just enjoying life together.”
Molly echoed those feelings, sharing that it was Ryan’s parenting—not his medals—that won her over.
“I didn’t know much about his swimming past,” she admitted.
“What I saw was a great dad, and that’s what made me give him a chance.”
Love in Daytona and Family Bonds
Over the July 4th weekend, Lochte and Molly celebrated together with his family at his brother Devon’s home in Daytona Beach, Florida.
The couple shared affectionate photos online, including sweet moments of Molly painting Lochte’s niece’s nails.
“My family loves her,” Lochte said.
“And I don’t feel the need to hide how happy I am anymore.”
What Went Wrong With Kayla
Although the couple had seemed solid for years—publicly weathering major challenges like rehab and a serious car accident—Lochte says the marriage had quietly been deteriorating for quite some time.
“Honestly, we hadn’t really been together since our youngest daughter was born two years ago,” he revealed. “It wasn’t sudden. This divorce was a long time coming.”
Despite the end of the romance, Lochte said he still respects Kayla as the mother of his children. “I’ll always love her in that way. But I’m not in love with her.”
Kayla’s Side of the Story
In June, Kayla announced their split in a cryptic Instagram post that alluded to “trials we didn’t choose or see coming.”
She said the decision to leave the marriage was made after deep reflection and prayer.
The former Playboy model, who was Miss July 2015, described the separation as one of the most painful seasons of her life.
Her divorce petition, filed back in March in Florida’s Alachua County, requested full use of the couple’s $700,000 home, financial support for school, and sole custody of their children.
She also asked the court to have Ryan cover her legal fees and divide their debts fairly.
Lochte’s Response and Commitment to Fatherhood
In contrast, Lochte responded by advocating for shared parenting responsibilities.
“I want to be present in my kids’ lives every day,” he insisted.
To stay close, he’s now renting a house just five minutes away from the family home.
“Being a dad is everything to me. I’ll never walk away from that.”
From Olympic Glory to Real-Life Scandals
Lochte and Kayla’s relationship once captivated fans during the 2016 Olympics in Rio.
But it was also during that event that the swimmer made headlines for the infamous “Lochtegate” scandal, after falsely claiming he’d been robbed at gunpoint—a story that quickly unraveled.
Despite the drama, the couple tied the knot in 2018 in California.
That same year, Lochte faced a 14-month ban for receiving a prohibited IV infusion and later checked into rehab after a troubling hotel incident.
Recovery, Reflection, and Redirection
His personal struggles didn’t stop there.
Lochte shared that in 2023, he survived a severe car crash on his way to pick up his kids.
The accident shattered his femur, leaving him in recovery for ten months.
But instead of breaking him, the ordeal gave him clarity.
“All that going out and partying—it’s not worth it,” he said. “I just want to be there for my kids. That’s my priority now.”
Looking Ahead with No Regrets
Ryan Lochte hasn’t officially retired from swimming, but he hasn’t competed in Olympic trials since 2021.
Today, he’s focusing on coaching, entrepreneurship, and enjoying life with Molly.
“We have nothing to hide. This is my new chapter, and I’m really excited about it,” he said with a smile.
Whatever’s next for the former Olympian, it seems clear he’s diving headfirst into something he values more than gold medals: peace, family, and love.