Michael Phelps Family Tree: The Story Behind the Most-Decorated Olympian

Michael Fred Phelps II, born 30 June 1985 in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, is an American former swimmer — 28 Olympic medals (23 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze) — most decorated Olympian in history; 8 golds at 2008 Beijing (single-Games record); 6 golds at 2004 Athens; 4 golds at 2012 London; 5 golds at 2016 Rio.

The Family's Roots: A Baltimore Family

Parents divorced when Michael was 9.

His Parents

Father: Michael Fred Phelps Sr. — Maryland State Trooper.

Mother: Debbie Sue Davisson Phelps — American; middle-school principal.

His Sisters

Hilary Phelps, born 1978 — elder sister; former swimmer.

Whitney Phelps, born 1980 — elder sister; former swimmer.

His Wife: Nicole Johnson

Nicole Michele Johnson, born 28 October 1985 — American; Miss California USA 2010. Married Michael on 13 June 2016 in Arizona.

Their Sons

Boomer Robert Phelps, born 5 May 2016 — son.

Beckett Richard Phelps, born 12 February 2018 — son.

Maverick Nicolas Phelps, born 9 September 2019 — son.

Nico Michael Phelps, born 8 January 2024 — son.

The Phelps Family Tree at a Glance

Father: Michael Fred Phelps Sr. — MD State Trooper.

Mother: Debbie Phelps — middle-school principal.

Sisters: Hilary (b. 1978); Whitney (b. 1980).

Wife: Nicole Michele Johnson (b. 28 October 1985; m. 13 June 2016) — Miss California USA 2010.

Sons: Boomer (b. 5 May 2016); Beckett (b. 12 February 2018); Maverick (b. 9 September 2019); Nico (b. 8 January 2024).

Michael Phelps:

  • Born 30 June 1985, Baltimore
  • Started swimming at 7 (ADHD diagnosed at 9)
  • Coached by Bob Bowman from age 11 through his career
  • Youngest US male swimmer to make Olympic team since 1932: 2000 Sydney (age 15)
  • Athens 2004: 6 gold, 2 bronze
  • Beijing 2008: 8 gold (single-Games record) — 7 world records
  • London 2012: 4 gold, 2 silver
  • Rio 2016: 5 gold, 1 silver
  • 23 Olympic golds (all-time record)
  • 28 total Olympic medals (all-time record)
  • DUI arrests 2004, 2014; battled depression, suicidal thoughts publicly
  • Michael Phelps Foundation (water safety for youth)

What the Phelps Family Story Teaches Us

A Maryland-trooper father and middle-school-principal mother, divorced when Michael was 9. Two swimmer sisters. A Miss California wife. Four sons. A career that produced 23 Olympic golds — an untouchable record.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Phelps story carries the same lesson. Some careers claim more Olympic medals than most countries.

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