Michael Phelps is undeniably a name synonymous with Olympic glory. With a staggering 28 Olympic medals, he stands as the most decorated Olympian of all time. But beyond the accolades and world records, there’s another title Michael Phelps cherishes deeply: father. Alongside his wife, Nicole Johnson, Michael Phelps is the proud parent of four sons – Boomer, Beckett, Maverick, and Nico. This article delves into the heartwarming world of Michael Phelps And Family, exploring their life together, the values they instill, and how family life has become Michael’s greatest victory.
The Phelps family offers a glimpse into a life filled with love, laughter, and the everyday moments that bind them together. From cozy movie nights to cheering from the sidelines at football games, quality time is clearly a priority for Michael and Nicole. More profoundly, Michael credits his family with being a cornerstone in his ongoing journey with mental health. In a 2021 interview with PEOPLE, he openly shared how the routines and rituals of family life, particularly their consistent 5 p.m. dinners, have been instrumental in managing his depression.
“As a kid, I always wanted to have dinner as a family but with my parents separated, that didn’t happen often,” Michael reflected. “I love how we have dinner every night together at the same exact time.” This commitment to family dinners highlights a core value within the Phelps household: togetherness.
Michael’s personal experiences with mental health have fueled his determination to equip his sons with the emotional tools they need to navigate life’s challenges. He emphasizes open communication about feelings within the family. “They talk about their emotions,” Michael stated, expressing his hope that this open dialogue will prepare them for whatever comes their way.
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Nicole Phelps further elaborated on their approach to emotional wellbeing, sharing how the children respond when Michael experiences a difficult day. Instead of shielding their sons from these moments, they involve them in a supportive way. Nicole explained that the children will “either try to be near him or they’ll question what he’s experiencing.” This open and empathetic environment teaches the children about emotional vulnerability and support within the family unit.
“We don’t hide from emotions,” Nicole emphasized. “We teach them that daddy or mommy is having a moment and we need to either give them space or ask if they want a hug. And that’s taught them they have permission for their feelings to be heard too.” These lessons in emotional intelligence are a testament to Michael and Nicole’s dedication to raising emotionally healthy and resilient children.
And when those hugs are offered, Michael is instantly filled with joy. “It makes me go to the ground instantly. I absolutely adore being around them,” he warmly shared, highlighting the profound love he has for his children. Let’s take a closer look at each of Michael Phelps’ four sons:
Boomer Robert Phelps, 8
Born on May 5, 2016, Boomer Robert Phelps was the first son welcomed into the Michael Phelps family. Michael and Nicole had eagerly announced they were expecting a son, and Boomer’s arrival marked the beginning of their journey into parenthood.
Even at a tender age of three months, Boomer was already experiencing the excitement of the Olympic Games. He traveled with his parents to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2016 to witness his dad compete. Adorable photos captured Boomer in red-white-and-blue headphones, seemingly unfazed by the roaring crowds as he watched his father achieve more Olympic victories, adding five gold and one silver medal to his legendary count.
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Following the 2016 Olympics, Michael made it clear that his focus was shifting towards his family. “I’m leaving here and going home, and [it’s going to be all about Boomer],” he told PEOPLE, emphasizing his commitment to being a hands-on dad in his retirement. “I only get this chance with him once. So I’m going to take this time to be a hands-on dad.” This marked a new chapter for Michael Phelps, one where family took center stage.
“Fatherhood has changed me,” Michael admitted. “And I like it. I’m ready for this new stage of my life.” The transition from Olympic swimmer to dedicated father was a welcome and fulfilling one for Michael.
The unique name “Boomer” also has an interesting story behind it. Michael revealed on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon that they intentionally sought a less conventional name. “We heard the name, and we didn’t want, like, a normal name,” he explained. The sound and energy of “Boomer” resonated with them instantly. “Boomer, like boom boom … we didn’t know either,” Michael chuckled, adding, “We had no second option — once we picked that, we were like, ‘Yeah.’ He’s definitely gonna be the cool kid.” And “cool kid” he is, as Boomer has amassed a significant social media following, boasting over 500,000 followers on Instagram.
At just seven months old, Boomer played a special role in his parents’ wedding in 2016, serving as the ring bearer. Nicole shared with Brides magazine the adorable details of how they entrusted Boomer with the rings. “We put [the ring] in one of those little net bags that you have for fine jewelry,” she explained. Secured in a small net bag attached to his Burberry outfit, Boomer was carried down the aisle by family friend and Olympic swimmer Allison Schmitt.
Now at eight years old, Boomer enjoys quality time with his dad through shared activities like cooking and playing cards, creating lasting memories within the Michael Phelps family. In June 2023, Boomer celebrated a milestone, finishing kindergarten. The family marked the occasion with “Mud Mania,” a school tradition, as seen in photos shared by Nicole and Michael on Instagram, capturing Boomer’s joyful and muddy end to kindergarten.
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Beckett Richard Phelps, 7
Beckett Richard Phelps joined the Michael Phelps family on February 12, 2018. Michael and Nicole had announced their second pregnancy in August 2017, and the arrival of Beckett expanded their loving family.
“Magical moments yesterday… Nicole and I would like to introduce Beckett Richard Phelps to the world! We had a healthy baby boy and a healthy mama,” Michael shared in an Instagram post announcing Beckett’s birth, filled with gratitude and joy.
Remarkably, at just eleven weeks old, Beckett was already taking his first steps into the spotlight, much like his famous father. He starred in his first ad campaign, partnering with Huggies for their Little Swimmers water-friendly diapers. This playful campaign highlighted the family’s love for water and swimming.
“We are looking forward to enjoying the water as a family of four during Beckett and Boomer’s first summer together and are excited to partner with Huggies Little Swimmers to create the ultimate #WaterPlaybook for babies so they can be confident and comfortable in the water too,” Michael said in a statement, emphasizing the importance of water safety and fun for babies.
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Beckett shares a close bond with his older and younger brothers, and the Phelps family cherishes their time together, especially during holidays. In December 2020, Michael offered a peek into a Phelps family Christmas, sharing his sons’ contagious excitement for the festive season.
“Being in Arizona, we have sunshine and palm trees and some of our palm trees have Christmas lights on them. That’s the first time that we’ve ever done that and it’s really cool to see the excitement on [my sons’] faces,” he told PEOPLE. He described each son’s unique reaction to the Christmas lights, with Beckett’s lit-up face and Maverick’s gasps of wonder.
Michael also shared how his sons stayed active and entertained during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting their love for outdoor play. “They play outside, they ride their bikes, we have a little dirt track we built in the front of the house that they go out and ride on that,” he said, emphasizing their active and joyful childhood despite the challenging times.
Maverick Nicholas Phelps, 5
Maverick Nicholas Phelps, the third son, was born on September 9, 2019, further expanding the Michael Phelps family to five. The couple announced the joyous news on Instagram with a heartwarming family photo from the hospital.
“Family of 5! Welcome @mavericknphelps to the world! Born 9-9-19. Mama and baby are healthy and the boys are pumped to be big bros! #housefullofboys,” Michael captioned the photo, expressing their excitement about their growing family.
Two months after Maverick’s arrival, Michael shared a sweet anecdote about Nicole’s role as the only woman in their household of boys. He recounted to PEOPLE how Boomer affectionately declared, “Mommy, you’re the girl in our house,” after Nicole jokingly remarked about being lucky to have only boys. “So we’ve been saying that and it’s true, she’s the queen,” Michael added, highlighting Nicole’s central and cherished role in their family.
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In June 2022, Maverick and his brothers proudly supported their father as Michael was inducted into the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Hall of Fame. The three boys, dressed in matching black suits and white sneakers, joined Michael for sweet celebratory photos, marking a significant moment for the Michael Phelps family.
During Christmas that same year, the Phelps family embraced festive fun, dressing their sons in adorable elf costumes for a memorable family photo. Michael joined in the holiday spirit, twinning with his sons in elf attire. “I love all my elves 💛💚🎄,” Nicole wrote in her Instagram post, capturing the heartwarming family moment. “Merry Christmas from my family to yours 🥰.”
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Nico Michael Phelps, 1
The newest addition to the Michael Phelps family, Nico Michael Phelps, was born on January 16, 2024. Nico’s arrival completed the Phelps family as a family of six.
“We’re so blessed to be given a 4th child,” Nicole and Michael shared on Instagram. “We’re now a family of 6! 😁😁🤪😂.” The announcement was met with an outpouring of love and congratulations for the growing family.
The couple had revealed their fourth pregnancy in October 2023, with Nicole sharing a photo on Instagram of herself and Michael on their seventh wedding anniversary, cradling her baby bump. “Happy Anniversary to my best friend, hubby and partner thru life. I couldn’t have asked for anyone better!” she wrote, adding the exciting news, “For those that are wondering… yes! we’re expecting our 4th Phelps in 2024.”
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Even at a young age, Nico has already experienced international travel and Olympic excitement. He joined his parents at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he was photographed sporting an adorable beret. Michael shared these charming photos on Instagram, captioning the post, “Baby’s first rave 🪩,” capturing Nico’s first Olympic experience in a playful way.
In conclusion, Michael Phelps’ journey from Olympic champion to devoted family man is truly inspiring. His life with Nicole and their four sons showcases the importance of family, emotional openness, and creating lasting memories. The Michael Phelps family exemplifies a loving and supportive unit, proving that Michael’s greatest achievements extend far beyond the swimming pool and into the hearts of his wife and children.
