Steve Irwin’s Wife Details His Final Days 20 Years After His Death
Steve Irwin’s Wife Details His Final Days 20 Years After His Death
Olivia Evans Fri, September 4, 2026 at 8:28 PM UTC
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Originally appeared on E! Online
Steve Irwin left the world too soon, but his wife Terri Irwin is glad she at least got to say goodbye.
Twenty years after the Crocodile Hunter’s tragic death, his wife reflected on the final days she and their children, Bindi Irwinand Robert Irwin, got to spend with him.
“After 20 years, grief still walks with me like my shadow,” Terri wrote in a Sept. 4 Instagram post, alongside a photo of her late husband. “With the passing of time, I have gained more perspective and understanding.”
Although Steve died while filming a documentary with friend John Stainton and colleague Justin Lyons, Terri noted she was grateful her family got to be with him on a trip in the final weeks before the tragedy occurred.
“We were together as a family, on our crocodile research expedition for what was to be our final six weeks together,” the 62-year-old continued. “Ours was to be a long and sweet goodbye. Steve spent time with Bindi and Robert building swings and climbing trees. We all slowed down. Time slowed down.”
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Reflecting on that pivotal trip, Terri believed it was the family’s opportunity to create a lasting memory with Steve.
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“I believe that all of us, every one of us, gets to say goodbye,” she continued. “We just may not know that we’re saying it. Hold every moment dear with the ones you love. Until we meet again.”
Similarly, Bindi, 28, and Robert, 22, shared their own reflections on their father’s life.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Robert, for his part, shared a photo of himself as a baby, looking at his father in awe while being cradled in his arms. Alongside the sweet memory, the conservationist—who was only 2 years old when his father died—emphasized in his Instagram tribute, “Your legacy is forever.”
Meanwhile, Bindi—who was 8 years old when she lost her father—detailed how his wildlife conservation efforts barely scratch the surface of what he left behind.
“Where there is enormous grief, there is even greater love,” Bindi—mom to Grace Warrior, 5, with husband Chandler Powell—wrote in an Instagram post. “In the last 20 years, I have watched the world mourn my dad with our family. I always thought that my dad’s legacy is wildlife conservation; it turns out, his legacy is love. For our planet and for each other.”
Indeed, Bindi emphasized that her father has touched the hearts of many he did not even meet, including her own daughter.
“My dad left a lasting impact so poignant that it will ripple out for generations to come,” she shared. “I believe with my whole heart that his love will live on forever.”
For a deeper look into the Irwin family, keep reading…
Steve IrwinBeing the Crocodile Hunter was more thanSteve Irwin's career—it was his destiny."I was born into it," he toldYahoo! Australiain 2002. "Didn't have a choice."From a young age, Steve joined his herpetologist dadBob Irwinand wildlife rehabilitator momLynIrwinon expeditions and helped at their reptile park in Australia's Queensland. He captured and relocated crocodiles as part of a public safety and conservation effort by the government.In 1991, Steve took over his parents' reptile park. It was there he met wifeTerri Irwinwhile she was visiting from Oregon. After they wed in 1992, they began filming the docuseriesThe Crocodile Hunter.Steve and Terri continued their passion of spreading conservation education through their TV shows and park, which they grew into the Australia Zoo, and became parents to daughterBindi Irwinand sonRobert Irwin.Steve died on September 4, 2006, after a stingray's barb entered his heart while he was filming in the Great Barrier Reef. He was 44.Today, his legacy lives on through his work and family."The proudest thing I've achieved personally," he said in a video shared byAustralia Zoo, "is my children."Terri Irwin
Like Steve, Terri developed a love of animals at an early age—working at an emergency veterinary hospital and wildlife rehabilitation organization before meeting her perfect mate."I think it’s definitely fate that brought us together," she toldOprah Winfreyin 2002, "and that ability to seize opportunity and not be afraid. Steve’s really good at not being afraid. But when I met him and he said, 'Do you want to get married and live in the Australian bush and catch crocodiles with me?' It was a bit of a leap of faith to say here’s a wonderful opportunity in the most incredible, wonderful, sexy guy I’ve ever met."After Steve's death, Terri continued to run Australia Zoo, lead their nonprofit Wildlife Warriors and drive conservation efforts. She also released her bookMy Stevein 2007, became an Australian citizen in 2009 and starred on the showCrikey! It's the Irwinswith her kids from 2018 to 2022."My life is very full and very rich," she toldUs Weeklyin May 2025. "And every day I wish Steve was here, but I'm so lucky."Bindi Irwin
Born in July 1998, Bindi has grown up on fans' screens.After making her TV debut onThe Crocodile Hunter,she went on to star on shows likeBindi: The Jungle GirlandCrikey! It's the Irwins. She also won season 21 ofDancing With the Starsin 2015.In addition to following in her parents' footsteps with her conservation work, Bindi is the author of the children's bookYou Are a Wildlife Warrior!: Saving Animals & the Planetand an advocate for those battling endometriosis,having shared her own journey.She's ushering in the next generation of Irwins, too. In 2021, she and husbandChandler Powellwelcomed daughterGrace Warrior Irwin Powell.And, of course, keeping her dad's memory alive remains a priority."To the world, you will forever be remembered as the greatest Wildlife Warrior," she wrote onInstagramin February 2025. "To me, you’ll always be the most incredible dad and now our family’s guiding light. I love you and I miss you every day."Robert Irwin
Five years after Bindi was born, Robert made his debut in December 2003.And just like his family, he has used the power of television to teach others about nature with series likeWild But TrueandCrikey! It's the Irwins.Separately, Robert has hosted shows likeI'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!,done some modelingandwon season 34 ofDancing With the Starsin 2025, going on to hostDancing With the Stars: The Next Prothe following year. He also knows his way behind the camera and is a wildlife photographer.Otherwise, he stays plenty busy working at the Australia Zoo and continuing his dad's work."He is my superhero. He always will be," Robert toldBBC Radio 2in 2024. "He was I think a superhero to an entire generation. There is not a day goes by where someone doesn't share a story about him. To hear that, it really means the absolute world. It's an honor. It really is an honor to make sure everything he lived and died for continues."Chandler Powell
Just like Steve and Terri, Bindi and Chandler met when the Florida native was visiting the Australia Zoo.In 2013, Chandler (then a professional wakeboarder) was in Australia for a competition and went on a zoo tour led by Bindi."We hit it off right away," he recalled on a 2024 episode of theIn Real Life Podcast."There was no looking back as soon as we met each other. It was like we were on the same wavelength immediately."Because they were just teenagers at the time, Chandler spoke to Bindi's mom before pursuing a relationship."I didn't hear from Chandler for quite a while afterwards," Bindi toldEntertainment Tonightin 2016, "and that's because he sent a letter asking if he could stay in contact with me."In a full-circle moment, they then tied the knot at the Australia Zoo in 2020."Marrying your best friend ..." Bindi wrote onInstagramin May 2025, "10/10 would recommend."Grace Warrior Irwin Powell
Grace entered the world in March 2021 and quickly inherited her family's love of wildlife. Although, Bindi isn't having her daughter get close to the crocodiles just yet."When she is 18, and if she wants to help us feed the crocodiles, that’s great—but not now and not anytime soon," she toldTODAY.comin February 2025. "I understand how wildlife behaves and...I don’t ever have Grace in a situation or meeting an animal that she’s not ready for. Her world pretty much revolves around koalas, tortoises, giraffes and red pandas… which I know she’s totally good with."And yes, Grace knows all about her grandfather Steve."I always said I want to make sure that Grace knows Dad, her 'Grandpa Crocodile' as she calls him," Bindi gushed toUs Weeklyin May 2024, "and it's really special watching her just loving the documentaries."
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Source: “AOL Entertainment”
