Dating again hasn’t come easily for Olympic gold medallist Michael Klim, following his split from fashionista wife Lindy.
Although the 38-year-old confirms he’s in a new relationship with sultry, Bali-based designer Desiree Deravi, he’s taking each day as it comes for the sake of his children Stella, 10, Rocco, eight, and Frankie, who turns five next week.
‘From day dot, when Lindy and I decided to part, our focus has been on the kids,’ he told New Idea at the launch of his new mens’ skincare line, Klim by Michael Klim.
‘They seem unaffected by the split – that’s certainly how it looks – and they know they are very much loved and spoilt, probably more so than before!’
With Balinese princess Lindy, 38, now dating a new man, Adam Ellis, the former couple are both moving on with their lives. But sharing three children – plus the Milk and Co cosmetic company – means they have to keep things civil.
‘I have a new partner, yes,’ confirms businessman Michael, who divides his time between Australia and Bali, where the kids are growing up. ‘It’s something…obviously I haven’t dated for a very long time so it’s kind of a fresh start in all areas of life. But it’s early days.’
He and Lindy announced they were calling time on their 10-year marriage back in February, after struggling to save it for more than a year. Rumours that Michael cheated on his wife, which he has hotly denied, still hurt him.
‘We made the decision (to end the marriage) and take this direction because we wanted to be happier,’ he revealed to New Idea. ‘I did some soul searching and so did she. We both made that decision and we didn’t make it lightly.
‘But we continue to communicate around the kids and of course we are also connected through our business, Milk and Co. We have to be mature about things and move forwards in a dignified manner, because I’ve certainly seen the opposite happen!
‘It can be hard, because obviously there’s emotion and family and history involved but for us, we are pretty clear which way we want to head.
‘I’m pretty open minded. I have found that a lot of the time in life I never had a script or a path to follow, but it shaped itself the way it wanted. I just try to make the best decisions on a daily basis, personally and professionally.’
Today he’s is happily spruiking his no-fuss, multi-functional skincare range for ‘the active Aussie bloke’ which, appropriately for a keen surfer and former swim champ, is full of marine extracts.
‘It’s the good stuff without the fluff,’ says Michael, who is about to head off to Rio as an Omega ambassador. ‘I haven’t actually been back to the Olympics since 2004 – so being there as a spectator is going to feel a bit strange. I’m probably going to get really itchy feet and want to jump back on the blocks!’
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