Michael Phelps’ Family, Relationships, and Friends: Everything You Should Know

Michael Phelps grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, in a close family. He credits his relationships, especially with family and friends, for keeping him grounded during his career. Phelps once said, “Family is everything. It’s what keeps me going every single day.” Friendships have always been important alongside his dedication to swimming.

Family Life and Background

Michael Phelps was born in 1985 in Baltimore, Maryland. He is the youngest of three siblings. His mother, Debbie, worked as a middle school principal, while his father, Fred, served as a state trooper. Phelps’ parents divorced when he was nine years old.

After the divorce, Phelps was raised by his mother and two sisters, Whitney and Hilary. Both sisters were swimmers in their youth, inspiring Michael’s interest in the sport from an early age. The support from his family played a key role in his early swimming career.

Michael Phelps married Nicole Johnson in June 2016. Nicole was previously a beauty queen and marketing professional. The couple met at the 2007 ESPY Awards in Los Angeles and dated on and off before marrying in Paradise Valley, Arizona.

Together, Michael and Nicole have three biological children: Boomer (born 2016), Beckett Richard (born 2018), and Maverick Nicolas (born 2019). Nicole’s career has centered around event planning. They focus on raising their children in Arizona.

Name	Relation	Birth Year
Fred Phelps	Father	1951
Debbie Phelps	Mother	1951
Whitney Phelps	Sister	1978
Hilary Phelps	Sister	1980
Nicole Johnson	Wife	1985
Boomer Phelps	Son	2016
Beckett Phelps	Son	2018
Maverick Phelps	Son	2019

Friends Throughout the Years

Throughout his career, Phelps formed friendships with fellow swimmers, coaches, and athletes. One of his closest friends is Ryan Lochte. Their friendship began when they both competed on the U.S. national team and trained together in Colorado Springs.

Ryan Lochte, also an Olympic swimmer, became more than just a teammate. They spent years pushing each other to improve, both in and out of the water. Their healthy rivalry and mutual respect strengthened their bond.

Allison Schmitt, another swimmer, became close friends with Phelps after training at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club. She has credited Phelps for offering support during tough times. The friendships have continued beyond retirement, with regular contact and shared public appearances.

Name	Known Since	Profession
Ryan Lochte	2004	Swimmer
Allison Schmitt	2007	Swimmer
Bob Bowman	1996	Swimming Coach