Riley Gaines has plenty to celebrate away from the spotlight. The former collegiate swimming star is married to Louis Barker, a fellow swimmer Gaines met during her time at the University of Kentucky. Today, the couple shares a daughter, Margot Louise Barker.
While Gaines has become a familiar public figure through her athletic achievements and advocacy work, her husband has taken a much quieter path. A former competitive swimmer himself, Baker has since focused on business ventures and largely stays out of the public eye.
Their story began in 2019 when they met as freshmen at the University of Kentucky. What started as a college romance eventually led to an engagement in December 2021, shortly after one of Gaines’ national swim competitions.
Here’s a closer look at Riley Gaines’ husband, Louis Barker, and the family they have built together.
Who is Louis Barker?
He was born and raised in Crawley, West Sussex, England. After spending his early years in the United Kingdom, Barker relocated to the United States to continue his education.
Like his wife, Barker also spent years competing in the pool. His involvement in the sport began during his school days and continued through college.
In 2018, Barker enrolled at the University of Kentucky and studied Business Administration. The move not only gave him the opportunity to further his education but also allowed him to continue competing in the pool as part of the university’s swimming program.
Riley Gaines’ Husband Is Now an Entrepreneur
After finishing college, Barker turned his attention to the business world. His early ventures included co-founding a company called The Pool House before taking on a role as a contract project manager with Chandler and Son.
These days, the celebrity spouse runs his own business. Barker is the owner of LCB Construction, a company previously known as LCB Pools, and has focused his career on construction and project management.
Riley and Louis Are College Sweethearts
Riley Gaines and Louis Barker met in 2019 while attending the University of Kentucky. Looking back on those early days, Gaines told The Conservateur that his better half “called dibs on the British one” during her first week on campus.
Their relationship grew even closer the following year. When international travel restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic prevented Barker from returning to England, he stayed in the United States and moved in with Gaines’ family in Nashville, Tennessee. The unexpected arrangement gave him the chance to become part of her family’s daily life.
At one point, Gaines had encouraged Barker not to rush into a proposal. She was preparing for dental school in Memphis, while he was getting his business off the ground in Nashville. Despite those plans, Barker knew he was ready.
In December 2021, one day after Gaines completed her national swimming championships, he proposed. The moment was an emotional one, with Gaines later recalling that Barker was already in tears before he even got down on one knee.
They Married in 2022
On May 22, 2022, Gaines and Barker exchanged vows in Kentucky during an intimate ceremony centered on their faith. Following the wedding, she legally became Riley Gaines Barker.
Since then, the couple has faced some challenges related to the U.S. immigration process. On her Gaines for Girls podcast, Riley discussed the delays Barker encountered while pursuing permanent residency and citizenship, a situation she linked to his decision not to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Even so, Gaines often speaks warmly about the balance they bring to each other’s lives. She has described Barker as a calming presence and someone she regularly turns to for advice. According to Gaines, he enjoys playing devil’s advocate, often offering a different perspective and encouraging thoughtful conversations.
Riley and Louis Welcomed a Daughter Margot in 2025
The Barker family grew in 2025 with the arrival of their first child. On September 29, Riley and Louis welcomed a daughter, Margot Louise Barker, who weighed 6 pounds, 10 ounces at birth.
Gaines shared the news on Instagram alongside a hospital photo showing her holding the newborn while Barker smiled beside them. In the caption, she wrote, “there’s nothing that could’ve prepared me for a love like this. God has blessed us beyond belief.” She concluded the announcement with the words, “welcome to the world, sweet Margot 🩷🧸🎀”
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A few months earlier, in June 2025, the couple had revealed they were expecting their first child. Announcing the pregnancy on Instagram, they shared that Gaines was 26 weeks along and added the message, “God is SO good all the time.”
