Forever in their hearts. Bindi Irwin and Robert Irwin have paid tribute to their father, Steve Irwin, many times in the years since his heartbreaking death.
Steve — a wildlife conservationist and beloved television personality — died at age 44 after being pierced by a stingray barb in September 2006. He was survived by his children and his wife, 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
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During a September 2019 conversation with Us Weekly, Bindi and Chandler revealed their plan to honor Steve by incorporating khaki and animals into 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 noted that she was reminded of Steve often while wedding planning 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] and Robert so much and would have loved you, Chandler, and he would have definitely cried at the wedding. He couldn’t have given a speech. … It would have been incredibly special,” she told Us.
The couple tied the knot at the Australia Zoo in March 2020. One year later, they welcomed their first daughter, Grace Warrior Irwin Powell.
Scroll to see more of Bindi and Robert’s sweetest tributes to their late father:
Bindi dedicated a dance to her father while competing on Dancing With the Stars in 2015. “What shaped me the most would probably be when my dad passed away,” she revealed in a pre-taped package before the performance. “For the rest of my life, I’ll kind of feel like he’s going to come home.” Adam Taylor/ABC
Bindi received her driver’s license after taking the test in her father’s old truck. “It was wonderful to take my test in St George and pass the first time and in my Dad’s giant old ute!” she wrote via Instagram in March 2016. Courtesy of Bindi Irwin/Instagram
The sibling duo often honors their father on the anniversary of his death. “You’ll be my hero for my entire existence. I love you more than words can describe,” Bindi wrote via Instagram in September 2016 to mark the 10th anniversary of Steve’s passing. James D Morgan/Shutterstock
Bindi told Us in May 2019 that filming her family’s reality show, Crikey! It’s the Irwins, made her feel close to her father. “It just feels right. I know when Dad passed away, it was a really challenging time and I was quite little,” she said. “I was really, really young and when you’re at that age, everything’s a little scary and unknown territory and we’re all dealing with grief and I remember saying to my mom, ‘When can we start filming again?’ Because it was something that I knew and I was used to.” Robert also works hard to continue his father’s legacy through his own conservation efforts. “Today marks the end of our annual crocodile research trip to the #SteveIrwinWildlifeReserve. Over the last month we caught 39 crocodiles, from ‘Ryan’ who tied for being the largest croc in the system at over 15 feet long to little ‘Pingu’ at just under 3 feet. This year brought the total crocs tagged to 213 in the study. This research was all started by Dad and to this day we still use the same methods of capture that he created,” the wildlife photographer wrote via Instagram in September 2020. “Our crocodile research began 17 years ago when Australia Zoo joined forces with the University of Queensland to conduct world leading science and lead the charge in crocodile conservation. And today we get to keep this vital work going, using state of the art solar tracking technology to learn even more about these amazing animals make sure Dad’s mission and passion for croc conservation continues! 🐊.” Discovery
Powell told Us exclusively in September 2019 that the pair planned to incorporate khaki into their wedding in honor of Steve. After they stuck to their word, Terri opened up about the pair’s sweet nod on Instagram. “I love that Steve and Robert both wore khaki. I know Steve would have worn khaki to Bindi & Chandler’s wedding, too,” she wrote in March 2020. “I wish he could have been there to see the most special day in his daughter’s life. We miss him so much.” Jeff Christensen
“Dad, Today is your birthday,” Bindi wrote via Instagram in February 2020 alongside a throwback of herself and her dad holding a porcupine together. “I had an extra strong cup of tea just how you liked it. 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.” Australia Zoo via Getty Images
Bindi’s first daughter, Grace Warrior, was named in honor of Steve. “My dad was the first person to create the term ’Wildlife Warrior,’” Bindi explained in a February 2021 interview with The Bump. “Being a Wildlife Warrior means to stand up and speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. We’ve been referring to our daughter as our Baby Wildlife Warrior. I know in my heart that she will forge her own path to make our planet a better place.” AFF-USA/Shutterstock; Shutterstock
Bindi noted in February 2021 that she’s happy she can introduce her daughter to her father through his documentaries. “[He] would’ve been a good grandpa,” she told Entertainment Tonight. “I don’t think we would’ve ever seen our daughter. He would’ve just whisked her away into the zoo and it would’ve been perfect.” Discovery+
Robert revealed in February 2021 that he’d fixed up his father’s old motorcycle. “I have so many memories of Dad’s old motorbike — hanging on to the front with Bindi as we’d ride around the zoo with Dad,” he wrote via Instagram. “And now after being in the shed for a few years, it’s all fixed up and running again. It’s so special to be riding it after all this time!” Courtesy of Robert Irwin Photography/Instagram
The Dancing With the Stars alum shared a sweet snap of her daughter in September 2021, noting that the little one had been watching old footage of her late grandfather. “This sweetheart has been watching her ‘Grandpa Crocodile’ on the projector at our camp here on the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve,” Bindi wrote via Instagram. “She lights up when she sees him on screen. I wish with all my heart that Dad could hug my beautiful girl. It’s been 15 years since he passed away. I hold on to the thought that he’s her guardian angel now, watching over the most special part of my life, Grace Warrior. ❤️” Courtesy of Bindi Irwin/Instagram
Bindi paid a special tribute to her late dad on November 15, 2021, which is Steve Irwin Day, an international celebration of his life and career. “Your legacy will live on forever,” she wrote via Instagram. “I love you for even longer.” Her brother, Robert, also thanked the fans who celebrate his father’s commitment to conservation all year round. “It means the world to see so many people sharing stories and memories of how my dad changed their lives and inspired them,” he posted on Instagram. “It is the honor of my life to get to continue his mission.” Bei/Shutterstock
“Happy Birthday to the greatest dad and Wildlife Warrior. Today I’ll watch The Crocodile Hunter with Grace Warrior and share stories about her incredible Grandpa Crocodile,” Bindi wrote via Instagram in February 2022 on what would have been her dad’s 60th birthday. “I love you with all my heart. Your legacy lives on.” Shutterstock (2)
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