It’s hard to believe Bindi Irwin is now 19!
It seems like only yesterday that she was a little rug rat scampering about with her father, Steve Irwin.
But the tot in khaki has grown up before our very eyes.
With her father never far from her mind, Bindi revealed that she has a list from her late dad that any future beau must tick. “Dad always said you can’t date till you’re 40, and he has to be able to swim across our largest crocodile pond before he can go out with you,” she laughed.
Bindi revealed in an interview with People magazine that she still grieves for The Crocodile Hunter, who died suddenly in 2006 after a sting ray accident, when she was only eight years old: “That kind of sadness never goes away. It’s like losing a piece of your heart that you never get back.”
Bindi said that after her father died, “so many adults came up to me and said, ‘Honey, time heals all wounds’…That is the biggest lie you will ever hear. It doesn’t.”
In spite of her immense loss, Bindi continues to carry on his good work as a young conservationist and wildlife champion. “You can take the path that leads you down the aisle of sadness, or you can say, ‘I’m never going to let this person’s memory die. I’m going to make sure everything they worked for continues.”
The animal activist is adamant about making her loved-ones proud. “Mum and Dad are truly my heroes. And I have to say, so is my little brother Robert. He’s 11 and he’s just the most amazing boy. He’s so much like Dad sometimes it’s a bit scary. Dad is and always will be my living, breathing superhero.”
We think Bindi is turning into quite the hero herself and Steve would be so incredibly proud of his eldest child.
Scroll through the gallery to check out her journey!
We cannot believe how much Bindi Irwin has grown up! She really takes after her inspiring father, Steve Irwin.
The sweet wildlife crusader was the apple of her late father’s eye. Bindi continues to carry on his good work as a young conservationist and wildlife champion. “You can take the path that leads you down the aisle of sadness, or you can say, ‘I’m never going to let this person’s memory die. I’m going to make sure everything they worked for continues,” she has mused.
The Irwin’s were three peas in a pod.
There aren’t many families that can rock a photo while riding an elephant… in khaki no less!
The family were inseparable…
And their bond was only strengthened with the arrival of the youngest Irwin, Robert.
Bindi Irwin has grown up
Our heart broke for the family when Steve tragically died in 2006. Bindi was only eight years old when she delivered a moving speech about her daddy, her hero. Looking back at the loss she said, “that kind of sadness never goes away. It’s like losing a piece of your heart that you never get back.”
Bindi Irwin’s moving words at Steve’s memorial service: “My Daddy was my hero – he was always there for me when I needed him… When I see a crocodile I will always think of him and I know that Daddy made this zoo so everyone could come and learn to love all the animals.”
Bindi has always been clear that never wants want her dad’s passion to end. Here she holds a koala as she meets the one and only Dalai Lama.
The star is a complete natural with wildlife and has no qualms rubbing shoulders with A-listers like Oprah.
Bindi is all smiles with her mum and Zac Efron at the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards.
The ever-doting big sister, Bindi looks at little Robert as one of her heroes.
“He’s 11 and he’s just the most amazing boy. He’s so much like dad sometimes it’s a bit scary.”
The wildlife warrior is every bit her father’s girl. She used to watch her dad catch crocs and now she is following in his footsteps – with his signature smile and passion.
The inspiring teen continues to amaze us with her earnest desire to make wildlife a priority.
In November of 2015, Bindi Irwin was crowned the winner of the coveted mirror ball in the US version of Dancing with the Stars. Watch the incredible moment Bindi dances for her late dad in the next slide.
She may be saving the planet but Bindi still have time to be a regular teen.
The 19-year-old is dating American wakeboarder, Chandler Powell.
A huge happy birthday to our favourite care-free-crusader. No doubt your father would be incredibly proud of everything you’ve done and achieved!
