Australian Olympic swimming champion Michael Klim has announced his engagement to long-term partner Michelle Owen, sharing the joyful news with fans on social media.
A Scenic Christmas Eve Proposal
The 48-year-old double gold medallist popped the question on Christmas Eve at the picturesque Pt Leo Estate winery on the Mornington Peninsula, south of Melbourne. Klim went down on one knee by a lake as the couple enjoyed a glass of champagne, with Owen happily accepting.
Klim made the heartwarming announcement on Instagram this Wednesday, posting a series of photos from the proposal. "I am a very lucky man to call @michelleowen my fiancée," he wrote. "She is pure heart. Deeply kind. Steady when it mattered most."
A Relationship Forged in Adversity
The swimmer highlighted how their bond was solidified during challenging times, specifically referencing the unwavering support Owen provided during his public battle with a rare neurological condition. Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is an incurable autoimmune disorder that attacks the nerves and has caused significant muscle loss and loss of sensation in Klim's legs.
"Our relationship was built during real adversity and it never wavered," Klim stated. "It makes this moment even sweeter." Owen had previously shown her support in an emotional post in July 2022, praising Klim for sharing his story to raise awareness of CIDP.
The couple, who first went public with their romance in October 2019, have been dating for over six years. Klim was previously married to Lindy Klim for a decade, with whom he shares three children: Stella, 18, Rocco, 16, and Frankie, 13.
Congratulations from the Sporting World
The engagement reveal was met with an outpouring of congratulations from fellow athletes. Fellow Australian Olympic swimming hero Daniel Kowalski and Paris Games gold medallist Noemie Fox were among the first to send their best wishes to the couple.
Looking ahead, Klim expressed his excitement for the future, writing: "We are incredibly happy and excited to spend our lives together. More adventures. More laughs. More memories as a family."
