In September 2006, Australian icon Steve Irwin suddenly passed away after being pierced in the heart by a stingray but in his tragic passing he left behind his wife and two children, Terri, Bindi and Robert.
The wildlife warrior admitted he never wanted to be a father until his beautiful daughter, Bindi was born in 1998.
“I couldn’t really give a rip. Now I’m the proudest father,” Steve said during an interview with Australian Story.
Steve and Terri were undoubtedly soulmates.
(Image: Getty)“Who would’ve thought someone as ugly as me could bring into the world something so beautiful, such a treasure?'”
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A few years later in 2003, Steve and Terri’s second child, Robert was born. Despite Steve’s reservations towards fatherhood, he believed his kids were the reason for his existence – who were only eight and two years old at the time.
“I’ve lifted him up and, you know, he’s a little bloke and put him on Terri’s chest and we’re just stoked,” Steve said referring to Robert in an old video. “At that very moment, I saw the light.”
“This is why I was put here. Because I could be dead tomorrow. So this little bloke is going to have to catch the crocs with Bindi,” Steve said.
Terri tried her best to keep Bindi and Robert out of the media. But everything changed when Steve suddenly passed.
(Image: Getty)In the eulogy following Steve’s death, Bindi said: “My Daddy was my hero. He was always there for me when I needed him. He listened to me and taught me so many things, but most of all he was fun.
“I have the best Daddy in the whole world and I will miss him every day. 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 animals. Daddy made this place his whole life and now it’s our turn to help Daddy.”
An emotional birthday tribute was created for Robert’s 19th birthday which featured Steve cradling his newborn son in his arms and many more clips from their days together – even little Bindi was featured!
When the video ended, Robert wiped away a tear and joked: “Making me cry on my birthday.”
“It means the absolute world. I just think it’s such a privilege, personally and as a family, to continue the legacy of dad.
“He gave his life, quite literally, for wildlife conservation and to make the world a better place,” he said. “I just hope he’d be proud.”
Despite the few years Bindi and Robert shared with their father, they captured some adorable moments together.
Continue scrolling to see rare images of Steve Irwin with his children.
Steve and Robert look like wild men here! Even after all these years, it turns out Robert kept his dad’s motorbike.
“I love you and I miss you more every single day. My earliest memories are my fondest, thanks to you. Hanging on tight to the handlebars of the motorbike, when you’d take Bindi and I on your morning lap of the zoo – before going to get ice cream for breakfast. Every minute spent with you was a blessing.”
Steve’s first passion was wildlife, until his gorgeous children came along.
In 2022, Robert shared this beautiful flashback image to celebrate fathers day in Australia.
“I am sending my love to those who are missing their dad today. I cherish all the good times with my dad and feel grateful to be able to keep his memory and legacy alive.”
Bindi absolutely adored her father. Since his passing, she has continued Steve’s wildlife warrior legacy and continuing his work through Australia Zoo.
“I strive to encourage people to remember that conservation is not only about the cute and cuddly creatures, but also our crocodilians, snakes and sharks. We are all connected in some way.”
Thumbs up if you love cold weather.
The father-son duo look like their up to mischief.
“Your legacy will live on forever. I love you for even longer.”
The family colour has always been khaki.
“I have the best Daddy in the whole world and I will miss him every day.”
Robert has also followed in his late father’s footsteps as he focuses on wildlife conservation. But the young star has another dream of working in Hollywood!
“He gave his life, quite literally, for wildlife conservation and to make the world a better place.”
“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 animals. Daddy made this place his whole life and now it’s our turn to help Daddy.”
Bindi knows how to strike a pose.
Robert was born in 2003, nearly three years before Steve’s passing.
How is little Bindi so calm around that huge snake?!
“I never wanted to be a dad, I couldn’t really give a rip. Now I’m the proudest father,” Steve Irwin told Australian Story in 2003.
“When they’re ready to run up our mission, I will gladly step aside.”
“Who would’ve thought someone as ugly as me could bring into the world something so beautiful, such a treasure?”
“Life is always changing and evolving and I’ll always be thankful that I learned so much from my dad. He taught me to treat every being on Earth the way you would wish to be treated. From the tiny ants to the enormous elephants. We are all connected and must respect each other to live in true harmony,” Bindi said.
When Bindi’s daughter was born in March 2021, she revealed Grace Warrior Irwin Powell was in tribute to Steve and his legacy.
“Her middle names, Warrior Irwin, are a tribute to my dad and his legacy as the most incredible Wildlife Warrior. Her last name is Powell and she already has such a kind soul just like her dad. There are no words to describe the infinite amount of love in our hearts for our sweet baby girl. She chose the perfect day to be born and we feel tremendously blessed.”
In 2017, Steve was honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Bindi shared this image to her followers on Instagram in tribute to Steve’s birthday.
Bindi refers to her dad as her “guiding light through life.”
Like father, like son.
“Dad, you give me strength every day. These memories will live with me forever. I miss you with all my heart.”
“Always in our hearts.”
In a tribute to Robert, Bindi shared a heartfelt message on Instagram explaining how proud he would be.
“Dad, You would be so incredibly proud of Robert. He has been such an amazing support during this beautiful new life chapter. “
In March 2020, Bindi married the love her soulmate Chandler Powell. Sadly, Steve could not be there for his daughter’s special day, but the family made sure he was there in spirit.
“Mum helped me get ready, Robert walked me down the aisle, Chandler became my husband and together we lit a candle in Dad’s memory. We shared tears and smiles and love. Thankfully, since we all live at Australia Zoo as a family, we could be there for each other. To everyone reading this – stay safe, social distance and remember LOVE WINS!”
The Irwin clan not in khaki? It’s a rare sight.
“Dad, Today is your birthday. I had an extra strong cup of tea just how you liked it,” Bindi began on Instagram.
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“I hugged Mum for you and told her how much we love her. Robert and I went on a hike through the mountains you cherished. I watched one of your documentaries with Chandler and shared stories about you. I walked through your office in the zoo and smiled at our old family photographs. Today and every day I miss you and love you beyond description. You’re always with me.”
“Dad spent his life working so hard to protect wildlife and wild places, especially in Australia. I wish he was here right now to give advice and strength during this time of devastation with the bushfires. I know that his spirit lives on through our conservation work and I hope together we can make him proud,” Bindi said.
That little crocodile looks a little suspicious.
Robert shared this image on Steve Irwin Day 2022, he wrote: ” It’s a day to remember everything Dad was about – conservation, dedication, fun and family. It never ceases to amaze me what an impact Dad had on the world when I see people in every corner of the globe celebrating his life and legacy on this special day.”
Dance party anyone?
Did you know Bindi’s middle name Sue actually came from the Irwin’s family dog, Sui?
“For the six years I knew Sui, she was always unbelievably patient as I put bows in her hair and fell asleep on her tummy. She will live on forever in our hearts.”
Robert can’t take his eyes off the crocodile!
“This is why I was put here. Because I could be dead tomorrow. So this little bloke is going to have to catch the crocs with Bindi,” Steve said.
Steve could not wait to pass on his legacy to Bindi and Robert.
“Then, and only then will I know that I have achieved my ultimate goal. And my job will be done and I guarantee you it’ll be the proudest moment of my life.”
According to Bindi, Robert was extremely curious when he was ‘little’.
Look at those little blonde locks!
We are obsessed with Robert’s khaki overalls.
Quick snack while riding the motorbike.
“I feel so lucky to have had an absolute superhero for a dad. One of the things I’m most thankful for was the passion for wildlife that he instilled in me at such a young age. He taught Bindi and I the importance of treating every living being as you would wish to be treated,” Robert wrote on Instagram.
After a few years of the motorbike sitting in the shed, Robert revealed it had been “fixed up and running again.”
Silly picture time!
“Thinking a lot about my Dad today and the impact that he made on our planet, inspiring an entire generation. I also think about what a truly amazing dad he was,” Robert wrote on Instagram.
“Through a lifetime captured on camera and stories from my family and those who knew him best, I’m able to remember the special times with dad. I still look up to him every day and while I miss him so much, it means the world to me and my family that each year we can have a day for the world to celebrate what he stood for.”
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