Swimming legend Michael Phelps has become a father for the fourth time.
The 38-year-old athlete and his wife Nicole Johnson, 38, shared the happy news on Monday in a joint Instagram post with an adorable family photo.
Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, was pictured shirtless next to Nicole as they held their new bundle of joy – son Nico Michael.
In the caption he wrote that the little one was born last Tuesday: “@mrs.nicolephelps and I would like to welcome Nico Michael Phelps into the world. “Born on January 16th.”
“We are so blessed to be having a fourth child.” “We are now a family of 6!” he added with a series of laughing emojis.
Swimming legend Michael Phelps, 38, and his wife Nicole, 38, announced in a joint Instagram post on Monday that they had welcomed their fourth child together – son Nico Michael
The couple are also parents to sons Boomer, seven, Beckett, five, and Maverick, four.
The adorable post quickly sparked congratulations from family, friends and followers.
Michael's sister Hilary Phelps wrote: “Alexander and I can't wait to meet him.” ❤️ Sending you all so much love and blessings for the new arrival!'
Travis Barker's ex Shanna Moakler wrote: “Congratulations, this makes me so happy.”
Tennis legend Caroline Wozniacki sent three emojis with red hearts and “Congratulations!”
“The Phelps season is done!!!” wrote another commenter playfully. “A whole season!” Congratulations!' someone else intervened.
“He managed to win everything at the pool and now he's winning it outside too by having a beautiful family with four little boys.”
Nicole announced that she was pregnant with their fourth child together on their seventh wedding anniversary last October.
While sharing seven photos from her camera roll, the former beauty queen, who won the Miss California pageant in 2010, confirmed that she is expecting another baby child.
“For those wondering…yes! “We're expecting our 4th Phelps in 2024,” she captioned her Instagram slideshow, along with a snap of herself cradling her baby bump while attending the Ravens vs. Arizona Cardinals game.
Nicole announced that she was pregnant with their fourth child together on their seventh wedding anniversary last October
The couple are also parents to sons Boomer, seven, Beckett, five, and Maverick, four.
The swimmer has repeatedly raved about his fatherhood over the years and hosts a family dinner with his family every day at 5 p.m
Phelps, who speaks openly about battling depression and anxiety, also praised his sons for “talking about their feelings.”
The couple met at the ESPYs in 2007 before splitting in 2012. They later reconciled in 2014 and finally got engaged in 2015, a year before they had their first child
In the picture, she had one hand on her stomach and the other wrapped around the swimmer as they stood on the football field at State Farm Stadium.
The swimmer has repeatedly raved about his fatherhood over the years and hosts a family dinner with his family every day at 5 p.m.
“Growing up, I always wanted to eat dinner as a family, but since my parents were separated, that didn't happen often,” Michael told People in 2021. “I love how we eat dinner together at the exact same time every night.”'
Phelps, who speaks openly about battling depression and anxiety, also praised his sons for “talking about their feelings.”
“It gives me a lot of hope. “I just want them to be as prepared as possible,” he told the outlet.
During the interview, Johnson revealed that on days when her spouse “can't get out of bed,” her children “either try to be near him or they wonder what he's experiencing.”
“We don't hide from emotions.” “We teach them that daddy or mommy is having a moment and we have to either give them space or ask if they want a hug,” she said. “And that taught them that they also have permission to have their feelings heard.”
He went on to say that parenthood has taught him “a lot of patience” and that he's “just getting started” as a father.
“It’s difficult, but you just have to figure it out and make it work,” he added. “This is what you do as a parent.” There are no instructions. You'll find out along the way.'
Phelps is the most decorated Olympian of all time with a total of 28 medals. In 2016, he announced his second retirement; Pictured at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro
The couple met at the ESPYs in 2007 before splitting in 2012.
They later reconciled in 2014 and finally got engaged in 2015, a year before they welcomed their first child.
After competing in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro that same year, the talented athlete announced his seemingly permanent retirement from professional competition.
Their second son, Beckett, was born in February 2018.
“We would love a girl,” he said. “Love, love, love a girl.” We wanted a boy first, just in case we had other children, [so] He could be the protector of his younger sibling or siblings.
He added: “So we started with a perfect idea: we've had a boy.” “We've had a beautiful, healthy boy and we want to continue to expand our family.”
In 2019, they finally had a third boy, whom they named Maverick Phelps.