What To Know
- Steve Irwin’s family marked the 20th anniversary of his death with heartfelt Instagram tribute.
- Terri, Bindi, and Robert Irwin each shared personal memories and emphasized Steve’s impact on wildlife conservation and the importance of cherishing loved ones.
- Bindi highlighted how Steve’s legacy of love and conservation continues to inspire future generations, including her own daughter.
The Crocodile Hunter star Steve Irwin‘s family members penned emotional tributes on the 20th anniversary of his death.
On Friday, September 4, his wife, Terri Irwin, and their two children, Bindi Irwin and Robert Irwin, each took to Instagram with posts honoring Steve and his enduring conservation legacy. Steve died at 44 in 2006, after he was pierced in the chest by a stingray barb while filming a documentary near the coast of Port Douglas, Australia.
Terri, 62, shared a photo of her late husband while admitting, “After 20 years, grief still walks with me like my shadow.”
The widow continued, “With the passing of time I have gained more perspective and understanding. We were together as a family, on our crocodile research expedition, for what was to be our final six weeks together. 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.
To conclude her tribute, Terri shared, “I believe that all of us, every one of us, gets to say goodbye. We just may not know that we’re saying it. Hold every moment dear with the ones you love. Until we meet again.”
Additionally, Bindi, 28, wrote an Instagram tribute for her beloved father, declaring, “20 years ago, today, the world lost the most passionate and dedicated wildlife conservationist. Our family lost our superhero. My mum lost the love of her life; my brother and I lost the greatest dad.”
The bereaved daughter and Dancing With the Stars Season 21 winner added, “Grief never truly leaves us; we walk alongside it every day. Where there is enormous grief, there is even greater love. 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.”
Bindi also shared that her daughter, Grace, 5, watches Steve’s documentaries every morning and “feels utterly loved by her ‘grandpa crocodile’ without ever having met him.” She pointed out, “My dad left a lasting impact so poignant that it will ripple out for generations to come.”
In ending her tribute, the Crikey! It’s the Irwins star shared, “I believe with my whole heart that his love will live on forever. In all of us. In every kindness we show to the Earth. And that is a life and legacy worth celebrating. Dad, I love you with my whole heart. Thank you for being our guardian angel. And most of all, thank you for watching over my daughter now, too. She loves you so much. We all do.”
Finally, Bindi’s younger brother, Robert, 22, shared a photo via Instagram of himself and Steve, writing, “Your legacy is forever.”
Robert returned with a second tribute that featured a clip of Steve sharing what he hoped to be remembered for.
“Thank you, Dad, for showing me and the entire world what it is to truly live,” he wrote. “To lead with empathy, to treat every living being how you’d wish to be treated, and to be passionate in everything you do. Your mission and light lives on always.”