Riley Gaines Biography And Wiki
Riley Gaines, born Riley Marie Gaines on April 21, 2000, in Nashville, Tennessee, is a former competitive swimmer and conservative political activist. Her father, Brad Gaines, played football at Vanderbilt University, while her mother, Telisha Gaines, excelled in softball at Donelson Christian Academy and Austin Peay State University. Riley attended Station Camp High School in Gallatin, Tennessee, where she showcased her swimming talent by winning the 100-yard butterfly and 100-yard freestyle events at the 2017 TISCA High School Swim & Dive Championship in Knoxville. She later pursued higher education at the University of Kentucky, earning a degree in health sciences in 2022.
Age And Birthday
Riley Gaines was born on April 21, 2000, making her 24 years old in 2025.
Height And Weight
Riley Gaines is 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) tall and weighs 136 pounds (62 kg).
Education Background
Riley Gaines studied at Station Camp High School in Gallatin, Tennessee, where she won multiple state swimming championships. She later attended the University of Kentucky and earned a degree in Health Sciences in 2022.
Nationality And Ethnicity
Riley Gaines holds American nationality. On her father’s side, she has European ancestry. Her father, Brad Gaines, played football at Vanderbilt University, while her mother, Telisha Gaines, played softball at Austin Peay State University.
Milestones, Significant Contributions, And Notable Works
Milestones
High School Success: Riley won multiple state championships, including the 100-yard butterfly and 100-yard freestyle at the 2017 TISCA High School Swim & Dive Championship.
College Achievements: She earned 12 All-American honors and won five Southeastern Conference (SEC) titles while competing for the University of Kentucky.
Olympic Trials: In 2021, she qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials.
Retirement: Riley ended her competitive swimming career in April 2022 after competing in the NCAA Women’s Swimming & Diving Championships.
Significant Contributions
Advocacy for Fairness in Women’s Sports: Riley actively speaks out against transgender women competing in women’s sports. Her advocacy gained attention after tying for fifth place with Lia Thomas in the 200-yard NCAA freestyle championship.
Podcast Host: Since 2023, she has hosted “Gaines for Girls,” a weekly podcast on OutKick and Fox Nation, where she discusses women’s sports and fairness in competition.
Notable Works
Book: Riley wrote Swimming Against the Current: Fighting for Common Sense in a World That’s Lost its Mind, a mix of memoir and advocacy, sharing her experiences and activism.
Husband and Children
Riley Gaines is married to Louis Barker, a former British swimmer and entrepreneur. They got engaged in December 2021 and married on May 29, 2022, in a private ceremony in Nashville, Tennessee.
Currently, Riley and Louis do not have children. They are focused on building their life together, including purchasing land and constructing their first home.
Career
Riley excelled in high school swimming, winning multiple state championships. In 2017, she secured victories in the 100-yard butterfly and 100-yard freestyle at the TISCA High School Swim & Dive Championship. Her success at the high school level set the foundation for her collegiate career.
At the University of Kentucky, Riley became a standout swimmer. She earned 12 All-American honors and won five Southeastern Conference (SEC) titles. In 2021, she qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials, marking a significant milestone in her career. After competing at the NCAA Women’s Swimming & Diving Championships in April 2022, she retired from competitive swimming.
Following her retirement, Riley became an advocate for fairness in women’s sports. She spoke out against the participation of transgender women in women’s competitions, especially after tying for fifth place with Lia Thomas in the 200-yard NCAA freestyle championship. Her activism has sparked widespread discussion on the issue.
In addition to her advocacy, Riley launched the weekly podcast Gaines for Girls on OutKick and Fox Nation, where she discusses women’s sports and fairness in athletics. She also authored the book Swimming Against the Current: Fighting for Common Sense in a World That’s Lost its Mind, sharing her experiences and perspectives on the topic.
Hobbies And Personal Challenges
Hobbies
Riley Gaines developed a love for swimming early on, turning it from a hobby into a career. Beyond swimming, she enjoys spending time with her family, participating in outdoor activities, and staying active through exercise.
Personal Challenges
At the 2022 NCAA Women’s Swimming Championships, Riley faced a tough moment when she tied for fifth place with Lia Thomas in the 200-yard freestyle final. Despite the tie, officials awarded Thomas the fifth-place trophy on the podium, while Riley was asked to pose without one and receive hers later by mail.
Net Worth
Riley Gaines has an estimated net worth of $3 million as of 2025. She has earned her wealth through her competitive swimming career, endorsement deals with brands like Nike and Speedo, as well as her work in political activism and podcasting.
Major Achievements
Swimming Career
High School Championships: Riley won multiple state titles in high school, including the 100-yard butterfly and 100-yard freestyle at the 2017 TISCA High School Swim & Dive Championship.
University of Kentucky: She earned 12 All-American honors and won five Southeastern Conference (SEC) titles while competing for the University of Kentucky.
NCAA Division I Women’s Championships: In 2021, she won a silver medal as part of the 4 × 200-yard freestyle relay team at the NCAA Division I Women’s Championships.
SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Riley was named the SEC Women’s Swimming and Diving Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2022.
Olympic Trials: She qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials in 2021.
Political Activism
Advocacy for Fairness in Women’s Sports: After retiring, Riley became a strong advocate against transgender women competing in women’s sports. Her activism gained attention when she tied for fifth place with Lia Thomas in the 200-yard NCAA freestyle championship.
Podcast Host: She hosts the weekly podcast Gaines for Girls on OutKick and Fox Nation, where she discusses women’s sports and issues related to fairness in competition.
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