Ryan Lochte's Divorce Has Unfortunately Taken An Ugly Turn

There's nothing more uncomfortable than seeing a divorce play out in the public eye. Sadly, that's exactly what we're being subjected to by former Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte and his wife Kayla Reid.

According to Fox News, the divorce has taken an ugly turn recently, with Reid taking to Instagram to rather publicly expose some of their private interactions amid the proceedings.

In a recent post on her Instagram Story, Reid shared a rather upsetting email from Lochte demanding that she accept a recent offer and "move on with your gold digging life" and bragging that his new girlfriend is a "ten times better mother" than she is.

"This is what I deal with every. single. day," Reid wrote above an image of the email.

"This is after I checked in on our 2 year old with strep throat. This is the tip of the iceberg and I am exhausted. My heart goes out to anyone navigating a similar situation. Tired of being continuously disrespected behind closed doors. Literally 2/1000 messages."

The Divorce

Reid filed to end their seven-year marriage in March 2025. The former couple, who share three children, initially released measured public statements about prioritizing family, but the split soon became more acrimonious. Reid later suggested "betrayal" played a role in the breakup, leading to widespread speculation about infidelity, while court and media reports indicated ongoing disagreements involving finances, custody arrangements, and communication issues. By early 2026, Reid said the case was still unresolved and that the two were "not in a good place."

Lochte has also addressed personal struggles during the separation, including a rehab stint and sobriety efforts, while largely avoiding direct comment on the latest feud. What began as a celebrity divorce has turned into an ongoing public battle involving co-parenting tensions, new relationships, and reputational fallout for both sides.

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This story was originally published April 16, 2026 at 2:42 PM.