Forever in their hearts. Bindi IrwinAnd Robert IrwinSteve Irwin has been a father to many of his children, who have paid tribute to him many, many times over the years.
Steve — a wildlife conservationist and beloved television personality — died at age 44 after being pierced by a stingray barb in September 2006. His children and his wife survived him. Terri Irwin.
Although Bindi and Robert were only 8 and 2 at the time of their father’s passing, they’ve grown to carry on his legacy in ways both big and small. Today, the family continues to run the Australia Zoo, which Steve’s parents started in the 1970s.
Those who have come into the siblings’ life in the years since Steve’s death also love to pay tribute to the beloved zookeeper.
“Thank you for inspiring me and the whole world to love all wildlife,” Bindi’s husband, Chandler Powell, captioned a photo of Steve with a crocodile to celebrate the late naturalist’s birthday in February 2020. “You would be so proud of Bindi, Terri and Robert carrying on the amazing work you started. We will all make sure your message lives on for generations❤️🐊.”
During a September 2019 discussion with Us WeeklyBindi and Chandler announced their plans to honor Steve by including khaki, animals and flowers in their wedding.
“I really wanted Dad to be a big part of the day, so I’m excited to be able to incorporate him throughout the ceremony and the reception, and I think it’s going to be really special because I feel like his spirit lives on in us,” Bindi told Us at the time. “It’s going to be a celebration of family and friends, our wildlife, and I think that night, it’ll be about our lives together and the joining of families. It’s going to be beautiful.”
Terri shared that she was often reminded of Steve while planning her wedding with her daughter and Powell.
“I always think about what would Steve be doing, and while we’re discussing the wedding planning and the details, I know he would just be crying because he was so soft on the inside and loves [Bindi]Robert and Chandler are so grateful and would love you, Chandler. He would have cried at your wedding. He couldn’t have given a speech. … It would have been incredibly special,” she told Use.
The couple were married at the Australia Zoo on March 2020. Grace Warrior Irwin Powell, their first child, was born one year later.
Scroll to see more of Bindi and Robert’s sweetest tributes to their late father: