02-06-2025
Michael Klim doesn't look like this anymore! Olympic swimmer shows off his new style as he spends time with his family in Noosa
He's best known for his ripped physique, bald head and fierce stare from his days dominating Olympic swimming pools.
But Michael Klim looked worlds away from his former life as an elite athlete as he showed off a new softer, laid-back look while spending time with his family on holiday in Noosa.
In a series of candid photos shared by his daughter Stella to Instagram on Monday, Michael, 47, appeared relaxed and smiling as he donned a black T-shirt and apron at a cooking demonstration for Pork Star Live by Australian Pork.
Another photo showed Michael posing with Stella on a scenic balcony, both dressed in stylish black outfits as they beamed beside the ocean.
Gone was the intense, chiselled look fans remember from his modelling campaigns and Olympic heyday - replaced with a wholesome, smiley family man vibe.
From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop.
'So great to have the family together for @noosaeatdrink,' Michael commented under Stella's post, which was quickly flooded with love heart emojis from fans.
It comes as Michael confirms he's gearing up for a major life change.
After more than a decade living in Bali, the Olympian has revealed he is planning a permanent move back to Australia.
'At the moment I'm still in Bali and coming back-and-forth, but definitely at some point in the near future we will be heading back to Oz to be with both of the kids,' he told the Daily Telegraph.
'[Daughter] Stella is with me here in Bali, so we're kind of still in limbo at the moment.'
Michael moved to Bali in 2012 and currently resides there with his partner Michelle Owen.
But the decision to return Down Under has reportedly been influenced by his ex-wife Lindy Klim's recent relocation back to Australia.
Michael's revelation comes after he recently gave an update on his health.
The Olympian was diagnosed with the neurological disorder chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) in 2020 and told The Project this week that he was doing well.
Asked how he was doing in terms of his health battle, Michael was optimistic.
'I'm feeling really well. My life has stabilised physically and mentally' he explained, before answering a question on whether he was in any pain.
'My mobility is compromised. But I've got some great AFOs, are kind of prosthetics. Some of my favourite things like surfing and playing tennis are out of the question, but I had a ski for the first time in 12 years last year' he said.
Michael said there were 'a lot of things' he couldn't do, but many he could, and added that he was now focused on his foundation, The KLIM Foundation, which is raising funds and awareness for CIDP.
'With the foundation, it's what we're trying to do, enable a lot of sufferers, give them their life back' he said.
'Not only can we do it through blood donations, AFOs, having the right physio, having that support, and also counselling.'
Michael recently detailed his 'tough' four-year battle with the disorder and spoke about the mental challenge of going from being an Olympian to not being able to walk.
Speaking at Drew Barrymore and Wanderlust's True North event in Sydney in July, Michael explained how his leg muscles began 'disappearing' as he deteriorated.
'I had a lot of neural symptoms early on - most people would get cold feet at night time or you'd get a tingling on your quad - but I started getting these random feelings in my legs and they started progressing and getting worse,' he shared.
'Towards the end, my legs would give way on me when I was walking back. All my other aches and pains started popping up even more, affecting my everyday lifestyle from my ankle to my back.
Michael - who is now able to walk with the assistance of a cane - admitted the diagnosis also took a mental toll as he struggled to come to terms with his physical symptoms.
'It was really confronting mentally, not just physically,' he explained while speaking to press ahead of actress Drew's talk event at the ICC Theatre.
'I could look down and see these sticks hanging off my body, which for someone that used to pride myself on my physical ability, that was taken away within six months.'
Michael undergoes rehabilitation including plasma treatment, which has helped him to become more mobile by reducing inflammation and restoring nerve damage.
He also praised his girlfriend Michelle Owen for her support over the past four years as he admitted it has been a difficult journey.
Klim first unveiled his romance with DJ Michelle in October 2019, three years after his split from his model ex-wife Lindy Klim in 2016 after 10 years of marriage.
Meanwhile, Lindy recently moved back to Australia following her split with husband of six years, Adam Ellis with whom the Balinese Princess shares daughter Goldie, seven.
Michael and Lindy share three children - Stella, 18, Rocco, 16, and Frankie, 13.
