{"id":9302,"date":"2025-07-17T16:55:13","date_gmt":"2025-07-17T16:55:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/strongermarriages\/?p=9302"},"modified":"2025-07-17T16:55:13","modified_gmt":"2025-07-17T16:55:13","slug":"ryan-lochte-says-he-didnt-cheat-on-wife-kayla-calls-divorce-gods-way-of-saying-enough-is-enough","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/strongermarriages\/2025\/07\/ryan-lochte-says-he-didnt-cheat-on-wife-kayla-calls-divorce-gods-way-of-saying-enough-is-enough.html","title":{"rendered":"Ryan Lochte Says He ‘Didn’t Cheat’ on Wife Kayla, Calls Divorce ‘God\u2019s Way of Saying Enough Is Enough’"},"content":{"rendered":"
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@ryanlochte \/ Instagram<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Olympic gold medalist Ryan Lochte is speaking out after his estranged wife, Kayla, appeared to hint at “betrayal” in their marriage during their ongoing divorce.<\/p>\n

In a recent interview, the 12-time Olympic medalist opened up about one of the most painful chapters of his life\u2014his ongoing divorce from wife Kayla Lochte\u2014and how he\u2019s trying to move forward with honesty, healing, and a renewed sense of purpose.<\/p>\n

After seven years of marriage, Kayla filed for divorce in March 2025. While she hasn\u2019t gone into full detail publicly, she did suggest there had been \u201cbetrayal\u201d and called the decision to leave \u201can act of love.\u201d On Instagram, she wrote, \u201cSometimes we face trials we didn\u2019t choose or see coming. And in those moments, we\u2019re forced to make the hardest decisions to protect our peace, our children, and our future.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryan says he never wanted the marriage to end. \u201cI never wanted to get a divorce,\u201d he told People <\/em>magazine. \u201cWe were unhappy for a very long time\u2026 it wasn\u2019t going to help either one of us.\u201d He emphasized that he did not cheat, responding to rumors that have surfaced since news of the split went public. \u201cAfter she served me the divorce, I left, I got a new house, and I was living on my own. Then I met someone new.\u201d<\/p>\n

That someone new is Molly Gillihan, a teacher and single mom whose children attend the same school as Ryan and Kayla\u2019s three kids. Ryan says their connection was immediate and unexpected. \u201cTo be honest, I feel I found a best friend,\u201d he said. \u201cWe laughed so hard on our first date, I let my guard down completely.\u201d<\/p>\n

Molly has spoken up as well, defending the relationship against accusations of betrayal. \u201cWe would not be here if we had anything to hide,\u201d she posted on Instagram. \u201cThis little goofball came into my life patiently, sincerely, and honestly.\u201d<\/p>\n

While the new relationship is moving forward, Ryan says his top priority remains his kids\u2014Caiden, 8, Liv, 6, and Georgia, 2. \u201cI want 50\/50 custody,\u201d he said. \u201cI just want to be a present father.\u201d He also shared that he and Kayla are barely in touch right now, but he holds no bitterness. \u201cI wish her the best. I want Kayla to be so happy and live her life to the fullest\u2014and I think she wants that for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reflecting on everything that\u2019s happened, Ryan believes God may be using this season to bring clarity and growth. \u201cIt was God\u2019s way of saying enough is enough\u2026 of just being miserable and not living our best life,\u201d he said. \u201cSo we got separated, and now I\u2019m living my best life.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite the pain and public scrutiny, Ryan seems to be leaning into hope and new beginnings. With a new relationship, a renewed focus on fatherhood, and plans to launch a youth swimming program, he\u2019s choosing to look ahead. \u201cEverything that\u2019s going on, I don\u2019t have regrets over anything,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m just trusting this new chapter.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Olympic gold medalist Ryan Lochte is speaking out after his estranged wife, Kayla, appeared to hint at “betrayal” in their marriage during their ongoing divorce. In a recent interview, the 12-time Olympic medalist opened up about one of the most painful chapters of his life\u2014his ongoing divorce from wife Kayla Lochte\u2014and how he\u2019s trying to…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":462,"featured_media":9308,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fbia_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9302","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nRyan Lochte Says He 'Didn't Cheat' on Wife Kayla, Calls Divorce 'God\u2019s Way of Saying Enough Is Enough'<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Olympic gold medalist Ryan Lochte is speaking out after his estranged wife, Kayla, appeared to hint at "betrayal" in their marriage.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link 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