Swimming legend Michael Phelps has had numerous relationships over the years. However, the 37-year-old most decorated Olympian of all time eventually found his soulmate. Michael Phelps's wife of six years is beauty queen Nicole Johnson.
Michael Phelps and Nicole Johnson didn't exactly get it right the first time. The two were on and off for several years before he realized she was the one.
It's interesting to know that Michael's dating history began and also ended with Johnson. Before the couple finally tied the knot, Michael was romantically linked to many women. They included pageant winners, models, and also athletes.
Nicole Johnson and Michael Phelps arrive at Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Sports Awards 2017 on July 13, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Having earned 28 Olympic medals during his swimming career, it's no surprise that the most successful Olympian of all time dated such elite ladies. Here's a relationship timeline of the woman in his life, his wife, Nicole Johnson.
Former competitive swimmer Michael Phelps and American beauty queen and model Nicole Johnson met in 2007 at the ESPY awards. The pair was quite private with their relationship then, but they broke up and got back together many times.
Speaking of their breakups, the former Miss California and Michael first went their separate ways in 2011 after dating for a few years. The pair reportedly remained friends after their breakup.
Nicole opened up to Cosmopolitan about the breakup, revealing that their separation was tough. However, the model also admitted in the interview that their breakup was actually a blessing in disguise. Nicole said their split was just what their relationship needed.
The former beauty queen said they both had a lot of growing up to do at the time, and things would have ended badly if they had gotten married and had a child back then. Nicole said:
"It was definitely bad timing. Michael and I both know that had we tried to have a child and get married in the previous time we were together, it probably would not have ended pretty."
Revealing more details about their relationship back then, Nicole said she "hated" Michael when they broke up. Yet even though she sometimes felt this way and they were at odds with each other, she still wanted to be with him.
At the time, the beauty queen was wise enough to know that she and Michael couldn't commit to each other until they worked on themselves. She went on to say that the time apart also helped them appreciate each other and love themselves.
She expressed that she thinks you can be in a good relationship if you love yourself fully and want to help the other person become better as well.
Nicole Johnson and Michael Phelps arrive at Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Sports Awards 2017 on July 13, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
So, after Michael and Nicole separated in 2011, they reunited three years later in 2014. It was reportedly the third time that the pair dated when they got back together.
Many believe the two were meant to be together, and Michael promised that if they reunited again, they would spend the rest of their lives together.
It seems that did come to pass for the couple, as just a year after they got back together, the model and her 37-year-old partner got engaged in 2015. Michael said his engagement "was a long time coming."
He had previously told some of his friends that if he got Nicole back, it would mean she was the one he loved the most. The former Olympian further expressed how they have been through a lot together and had an on-and-off relationship for eight years.
After all that they have been through, Michael said he loves Nicole "to death," and they have been able to grow as a couple and noted the positive changes he made in his life.
In 2016, Michael and Nicole announced the birth of their first child, Boomer Robert Phelps. Soon after they welcomed their son, Michael and Nicole had a small and private wedding ceremony at their home.
According to Michael, only their family and closest friends were in attendance. Nicole reportedly officially became a Phelps before they traveled to Rio de Janeiro for the 2016 Olympics.
By 2017, the couple was expecting another child. They welcomed their second son, Beckett Richard Phelps, in early 2018, making them a family of four.
Michael and Nicole welcomed another addition to their family in 2019 when they gave birth to another child, also a boy.
Michael and Nicole named their third baby Maverick Nicolas Phelps. Before the arrival of their third child, Michael revealed that he was hoping to have a baby girl.
WIFE HELPED MICHAEL TO FIX HIS DEPRESSION
Michael had previously opened up about his battle with depression. A few years after the former Olympian decided to speak out, his wife admitted she "feared for the worst."
Nicole spoke to Today Parents and revealed she had a revelation about Michael's state of mind after Kobe Bryant's death in 2020.
The model tried her best to convince her husband to get help because she realized she couldn't bear losing him like Vanessa Bryant lost her spouse.
Nicole praised her husband, saying he's a fantastic partner and father. She further revealed that concerning Michael's mental health, she thought she could "fix" her husband and be "his therapist."
However, she revealed the one thing she learned by saying, "You can't take ownership for how they're feeling, no matter how badly you want to."
Since then, Nicole has also started going to therapy, which has helped her support her husband correctly and also help her with everything.
Michael Phelps and Nicole Johnson have been through some difficult times together and have come out stronger. We hope their love continues to stand the test of time and inspires others.
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