Ryan Lochte Faces Heat Over Latest Move With New Girlfriend Just Seven Months After Wife Announced Split

Ryan Lochte is moving on with his new girlfriend, Molly Gillihan— quite literally. In a new interview, the Olympic gold medalist opened up about his decision to move in with his partner just seven months after his estranged wife, Kayla Lochte, announced she had filed for divorce. However, the reaction to the elite athlete's latest life update wasn't pretty, as users slammed the 41-year-old for advancing the relationship too quickly.

Ryan spent much of 2025 in the headlines after battling with his estranged wife, Kayla, over the custody of their children in contentious court documents.

Now, the swimmer is the topic of conversation because of his new move with his girlfriend, Gillihan.

Speaking with PEOPLE, Ryan told the publication that moving in with Gillihan over the new year was "the right next step," saying he's spent the "last 10 months" focusing on himself. "That meant doing the work — going to rehab, rededicating my life to Christ, going to therapy and making changes that put my children first."

"Because of that growth, I’m grateful to now have my kids 50% of the time," he added.

Ryan also expressed his excitement about his new "blended family," saying that coming together as one only made sense after realizing they were aligned on what matters most.

"Together, we’re a family of six kids. She’s my best friend, our kids have formed an incredible bond, and it became clear that being together under one roof was the right next step for all of us," he said.

In an Instagram post, Ryan shared images of himself and Gillihan seated on the floor of their new home, both clad in monochromatic sweatsuits.

"Home Sweet Home," the Olympian captioned the post.

The reaction was anything but sweet, however, as fans flooded the post's comment section with critical statements.

"You're moving too fast, Ryan," a user wrote. "Slow the f down."

"Are you divorced yet? You're supposed to upgrade, not settle," a second person commented.

"Didn't you guys become a thing like less than a year ago?" another wrote.

A fourth user questioned, "Did your medals pay for it?"

The announcement of Ryan's new property comes at an interesting time, as the swimmer and his estranged wife were named in a lawsuit filed by the Fletcher Park Owners' Association, according to The Blast.

The documents state that Ryan and Kayla failed to pay "the assessments of all types, interest, late fees, administrative fees, attorney’s fees, and costs of collections due to [the owner’s associate]."

The association reportedly filed a lien on the pair's Gainesville, Florida, property for $4,000 in July 2025, but later filed a formal lawsuit after the fees remained unpaid.

Ryan was also the center of attention at the end of 2025 when he revealed he was auctioning three of his gold medals from the 2004, 2008, and 2016 Summer Games. It was later confirmed that Lochte finalized deals for the prized possessions for a hefty $385,520.

Much like his decision to move in with his partner, Ryan faced backlash over the auction, but fired back at critics almost instantly, claiming the medals didn't mean nearly as much to him as many assumed they did.

"My passion has always been about being one of the best swimmers in the world. Those medals? They were just the cherry on top of an incredible journey," he said. "I've given away medals to fans and young kids in the stands, because it's never been just about me. It's about inspiring the next generation and helping them chase their dreams. The memories, the hard work, and the connection with all of you are what I treasure the most."

Kayla posted about her decision to separate from Ryan in the summer of 2025 after significant reflection. "I hold marriage in the highest regard, so this has been one of the most painful, revealing, and challenging seasons of my life. I've been hesitant to share until I could do so from a place of healing — not from fresh, open wounds," she said, according to The Blast.

"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."