Steve Irwin's Family Honors 'Superhero' Dad 20 Years After Death
The Australian conservationist's family, including wife Terri and children Bindi and Robert, pay tribute to his legacy in wildlife conservation and love, two decades after his fatal stingray attack
The family of Steve Irwin, the Australian conservationist and TV presenter, has paid tribute to him 20 years after his death in a stingray attack while filming a documentary at the Great Barrier Reef. His children, Bindi and Robert, and wife Terri, have continued his work in environmental protection and wildlife conservation through their family-run Australia Zoo in Queensland.
Bindi Irwin, who was 8 years old when her father died, called Steve a 'superhero' in an online post, saying she has 'watched the world mourn my dad with our family' for the past two decades. She described the impact of her father's death on her mother Terri and her younger brother Robert, 22, saying 'my mum lost the love of her life; my brother and I lost the greatest dad'.
Steve Irwin died on 4 September 2006, aged 44, after a stingray fatally pierced his chest while he was underwater filming a documentary at the Great Barrier Reef. His family has continued to run Australia Zoo in Queensland, and his children have followed in his footsteps in wildlife conservation. Robert Irwin, 22, recently won the US dance competition Dancing with the Stars, while Bindi Irwin won the same competition a decade earlier.
Bindi Irwin's daughter, Grace, is 5 years old and watches her grandfather's documentaries every morning. Bindi said her daughter feels 'utterly loved by her 'grandpa crocodile' without ever having met him'. Steve's widow, Terri, recalled her last weeks alongside Steve and said 'grief still walks with me like my shadow'.
## What happens next The Irwin family will continue to run Australia Zoo and work in wildlife conservation, ensuring Steve's legacy lives on. Bindi Irwin said her father's legacy is 'love. For our planet and for each other', and that his life and legacy were 'worth celebrating'. The family's tribute to Steve Irwin serves as a reminder of his impact on the world of wildlife conservation and his enduring legacy.
## Why it matters The tribute to Steve Irwin highlights the importance of his work in wildlife conservation and the impact it has had on his family and the world. His legacy continues to inspire people to work in environmental protection and conservation, and his family's dedication to his work ensures that his memory lives on. The Irwin family's story is a testament to the power of love and legacy, and serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving our planet's wildlife and natural habitats.
