It’s easy to imagine a fairy-tale ending when an Olympic champion marries a former Playboy playmate.
But behind the glitz, Ryan Lochte and Kayla Reid’s seven-year marriage has turned into a very public and very painful divorce battle — and now, the financial and custody disputes are front and center.
Kayla Lays It All Out in Court
Kayla Reid, 34, has filed new court documents revealing exactly how much Ryan Lochte earns — and why she believes she’s entitled to child support and alimony.
According to the documents, Lochte made just over $350,000 in 2024, thanks to various post-swimming career streams.
Kayla, on the other hand, earned just under $200,000 before taxes last year through her real estate work and social media partnerships.
After taxes, she says she’s left with around $11,997 a month, which doesn’t cover her $17,000+ in monthly expenses — leaving her with a yearly shortfall of over $60,000.
She also revealed she’s sitting on over $5,000 in credit card and retail debt, and the extra $1,500 a month she once earned managing social media for a company has since stopped.
Divorce Drama and Financial Fallout
This is more than just a money fight. The couple reportedly owes nearly $270,000 in total debt, and they’re now locked in a custody dispute over their three children — Caiden (7), Liv (5), and Georgia (1).
Kayla has formally asked the court in Florida for sole parenting responsibility, or at the very least, the right to make all major decisions regarding their kids.
Her legal team argued that shared custody wouldn’t be in the children’s best interest.
Lochte has pushed back, saying co-parenting is the right path, but his own legal filing stumbled out of the gate.
It listed all three kids’ birthdates incorrectly, something Kayla quickly flagged in a follow-up motion.
For the record: Caiden was born on June 8, 2017, Liv on June 17, 2019, and Georgia on June 21, 2023.
Public Posts and Private Pain
While court filings continue to unfold, Kayla has taken to Instagram with a series of cryptic — and emotional — posts.
Sharing photos and videos of herself, she included quotes like:
“Sometimes God allows the betrayal… because it leads to the breakthrough.”
“Divorce isn’t the end of my story. It’s the beginning of my rebirth.”
She also hinted at personal growth and healing:
“You’re stepping into the best chapter of your life — you just have to heal first.”
One line that stood out?
“Most people have no idea what I’ve endured. Ignore their opinions. Truth always reveals itself.”
What Went Wrong?
Neither Ryan nor Kayla have shared the exact reason their marriage ended, only referring to vague “trials we didn’t choose or see coming.”
Lochte’s statement earlier this month was notably more diplomatic, saying he’s “deeply grateful for the life we’ve built together.”
Still, the tone of Kayla’s social posts suggests betrayal — a word she’s used herself — and that things behind closed doors may have been messier than we know.
From Love to Legal Filings
Ryan Lochte and Kayla Reid first went public with their relationship in 2016 and tied the knot in a romantic Palm Springs wedding in January 2018.
What began as a whirlwind romance between an Olympic icon and a media personality has now become a cautionary tale — one involving money, parenting, and emotional fallout.
As this legal drama continues to play out, all eyes are on the court’s decision — and how both Lochte and Reid navigate life after a very public unraveling.