Last Updated on: 7th June 2025, 08:42 pm
Who is Riley Gaines? Biography, Wiki
Meet Riley Gaines Barker – a champion swimmer turned influential advocate. Her struggle from breaking records in the pool to defending fairness in women’s sports has made her a prominent national figure.
Riley Gaines Age
Born on April 21, 2000, in Gallatin, Tennessee, the age of Riley Gaines is 25 years old (as of 2025). Her competitive spirit emerged early, shaping a path toward athletic excellence.
Short Bio And Some Quick Facts
| Complete Real Name | Riley Gaines Barker |
| Nickname | Riley Gaines |
| Date of Birth | April 21, 2000 |
| Age | 25 years |
| Place of Birth | Gallatin, Tennessee, USA |
| Place of Residence | Nashville, TN |
| Zodiac Sign | Taurus |
| Father | Brad Gaines |
| Mother | Telisha Gaines |
| Siblings | 3 |
| Education | Graduation (2022) |
| Institute | University of Kentucky |
| Occupation | Political Activist, Former Swimmer |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Husband | Louis Barker |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White/Caucasian |
| Religion | Update Soon |
| Height | 5 feet 9 inches |
| Weight | 62 kg |
| Body measurements | Update Soon |
| Eye color | Blue |
| Hair color | Brown |
| Shoe size | Update Soon |
| Contact | Business: team@rileygaines.com |
| Net Worth (As of 2025) | Approximately $2 million |
| Category | Biography |
Education
Riley attended Station Camp High School in Tennessee before joining the University of Kentucky. She balanced rigorous training with academics, graduating in 2022 with a degree in Health Sciences and a minor in Advocacy.
Riley Gaines Family
The family of Riley Gaines is deeply rooted in sports:
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Parents: Father Brad Gaines (Vanderbilt football player) and mother Telisha Gaines (college softball athlete).
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Siblings: Two sisters, Taylor and Neely, and a brother, Bradford.
Their unwavering support powered her athletic rise.
Husband
Is Riley Gaines married? Yes, she is married to Louis Barker, a former University of Kentucky swimmer and project manager. They wed on May 29, 2022, after meeting in college. Louis, born in England, shares her passion for athletics and entrepreneurship.
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Children
As of 2025, Riley and Louis have no children. They prioritize advocacy work and building their life together in Tennessee.
Career
Her career includes the following:
🏊♀️ Competitive Swimming:
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12-time SEC Champion and 5-time NCAA All-American.
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Specialized in freestyle/butterfly sprints.
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Tied for 5th with Lia Thomas in the 200m freestyle at the 2022 NCAA Championships, sparking her advocacy.
⚖️ Advocacy & Media:
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Hosts the podcast “Gaines for Girls”.
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Founded the Riley Gaines Center at the Leadership Institute.
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Spearheads efforts to protect women’s sports categories.
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Testified before Congress and endorsed Ron DeSantis in 2024.
🌟 Public Recognition:
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2022 SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
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Frequent commentator on Fox News.
Key Moments & Controversies
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Lia Thomas Tie (2022): Fueled her stance on transgender athletes in women’s sports.
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Simone Biles Clash (2024): Public disagreement over transgender inclusion policies.
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CPAC Appearance: Shared the stage with Donald Trump in 2022.
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Assault Incident: Reported physical attack during a 2023 university protest.
Religion
Raised in a Christian household, Riley Gaines’ religion remains a private cornerstone. She credits faith for resilience during controversies.
Ethnicity and Nationality
The ethnicity of Riley Gaines is White/Caucasian and she is an American national (born in Tennessee).
Height and Weight
How tall is Riley Gaines? She stands at 5’9″ (175 cm / 1.75 m). Her weight is around 137 lbs (62 kg) and her athlete’s build reflects years of elite training.
Net Worth
Riley Gaines’ net worth is estimated at $2 million (2025) and her earnings stem from endorsements (turned down $5M Bud Light deal for “non-woke” brand), speaking engagements ($11,700 from DeSantis campaign) and podcasts and advocacy projects.
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Social Media Handles
All the mentioned below are the social media handles of the political activist and former swimmer Riley Gaines:
| Homepage | www.theeducationisthub.com |
| www.instagram.com/rileygbarker | |
| TikTok | www.tiktok.com/@rileygaines |
| X (Formerly Twitter) | www.x.com/riley_gaines_ |
| www.facebook.com/rileygainesGOP |
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