Robert Irwin, Bindi Irwin and Steve Irwin.Shutterstock (2)
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.
They have also honored Steve during important moments in their lives, such as Bindi’s wedding to Chandler Powell in 2020 and Robert’s run on Dancing With the Stars season 34 in 2025.
Keep reading to see some of the family’s most heartfelt tributes over the years:
Credit: Shutterstock (2)
Bindi and Robert Irwin’s Most Touching Tributes to Late Dad Steve Irwin: A 'DWTS' Dedication and More
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.
They have also honored Steve during important moments in their lives, such as Bindi’s wedding to Chandler Powell in 2020 and Robert’s run on Dancing With the Stars season 34 in 2025.
Keep reading to see some of the family’s most heartfelt tributes over the years:
Credit: Shutterstock (2)
Bindi and Robert Irwin’s Most Touching Tributes to Late Dad Steve Irwin: A 'DWTS' Dedication and More
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.
They have also honored Steve during important moments in their lives, such as Bindi’s wedding to Chandler Powell in 2020 and Robert’s run on Dancing With the Stars season 34 in 2025.
Keep reading to see some of the family’s most heartfelt tributes over the years:
“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.”
“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.
“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! 🐊.”
“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.”
Credit: Australia Zoo via Getty Images
Bindi’s Sweet Words
“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.”
“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.”
Credit: Discovery+
Family Legacy
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.”
Credit: Courtesy of Robert Irwin Photography/Instagram
“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!”
Credit: Courtesy of Bindi Irwin/Instagram
Baby Grace's Guardian Angel
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. ❤️”
Credit: Bei/Shutterstock
Steve Irwin’s Lasting Legacy
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.”
Credit: Shutterstock (2)
Milestone Birthday
“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.”
Credit: Charles Sykes/Invision/AP/Shutterstock; Moviestore/Shutterstock
A Lover of Elephants
Bindi honored her dad's memory on World Elephant Day in August 2022, sharing a throwback photo of him filming with the huge mammals. "Dad in Africa, filming for The Crocodile Hunter in the early 2000s," she wrote via Instagram. "To be in the presence of these giant angels is to know you’ve experienced magic. This #WorldElephantDay and every day we must think about our impacts on the planet and how they ripple out towards our fellow species. Their future depends on us."
Credit: Stephen Barker/Shutterstock
Honoring ‘Grandpa Crocodile’
Bindi and Robert took to social media on Sunday, September 4, 2022, to pay tribute to their late father on the 16th anniversary of this death.
"Grandpa Crocodile, I know you would've been the most incredible grandfather because you were such an extraordinary dad,” Bindi wrote via Instagram alongside a photo of herself as a kid grabbing a baby crocodile with Steve. “Thank you for being an amazing guardian angel for Grace.”
Robert, for his part, shared a sweet snap of the Crocodile Hunter star holding him as a little boy. "It's Father's Day today in Australia, and 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,” he captioned the post.
Credit: Courtesy of Robert Irwin/TikTok
Irwin’s Turtle
Robert posted an emotional TikTok video in October 2023 of the newest Australia Zoo resident: the Elseya irwini, or Irwin’s turtle.
This was the first time that Irwin’s turtle was bred in a zoo since his late father discovered the rare freshwater species in 1990 during a crocodile-hunting trip on the Burdekin River in Queensland, Australia.
"It's just so surreal," he said. "And all those stories from Dad about just how amazing and beautiful they are… I don't get emotional that much, but I just know Dad would be really proud, Dad would be stoked.”
Credit: Courtesy of Robert Irwin/Instagram
A Long Legacy
Bindi celebrated her late father’s 62nd birthday in February 2024. “Happy Birthday, Dad. Your legacy will live on forever,” she wrote via Instagram. Alongside the post, she included a few sweet family photos over the years, as well as moments with Steve in his element as The Crocodile Hunter.
“Steve’s love for you will live on forever too. ❤,” Terri wrote in the comments section.
Robert also honored his father with a touching video tribute via Instagram, which showed footage from his childhood that told the story of Steve’s history and love for motorbikes.
“For me and my sister, we’d get on, hold on the handlebars, dad would take us around to the morning park checks and we’d get an ice cream,” he recalled in a voice over message. “Some of my fondest and earliest memories were on that bike, and after dad passed away the bike sat sitting for quite some time. But I got it back up and running recently and now it’s my job to get the motorbike every morning and do the same park checks around Australia zoo.”
He continued, “Let me tell you what, every time I start that thing it brings back so many memories and I absolutely love it. Every time I get on that bike and ride around the same path of the Australia Zoo that he did, it means so much that this piece of machinery that he loved and used everyday keeps on running. I take good care of it, but I still take it off road every opportunity I get. I reckon dad would have wanted it that.”
Robert ended the video by saying he feels “lucky” to continue his father’s legacy, noting that for those who come to the Australian zoo, they’ll likely “hear him before they see him,” just like Steve back in the day. “Not much has changed,” he added.
“It’s a meaningful day to share this special story… on Dad’s birthday,” Robert captioned the heartfelt post. “It makes me so proud that his legacy lives on.”
Credit: Don Arnold/WireImage
A Reminder of His Absence
Robert remembered his dad on his 21st birthday on December 1, writing on Instagram that “it can be hard to celebrate the milestones when there’s someone missing.”
“Today I turn 21,” Robert’s post, which featured throwback photos of Steve, began. “I was looking through the archives a few days ago and I found these pictures of my dad on his 21st. It can be hard to celebrate the milestones when there’s someone missing, but I will carry his memory and passion with me in this new chapter of life. I am one lucky guy to be surrounded by my amazing family today. Time to celebrate!”
Bindi commented, “Dad is so proud of you.”
She also posted a birthday message for her brother on her Instagram page, sharing, “HAPPY 21ST BIRTHDAY, @robertirwinphotography! Best brother, best uncle, best friend. Here’s to every incredible adventure on the horizon. Love you so much and beyond proud of you.”
Credit: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images ; Michael Buckner/Getty Images
‘Our Family’s Guiding Light’
Bindi paid tribute to Steve on what would have been his 63rd birthday on February 22, 2025. “Happy Birthday, Dad,” she wrote via Instagram alongside a sweet throwback photo of her and her dad.
“To the world, you will forever be remembered as the greatest Wildlife Warrior,” she continued. “To me, you’ll always be the most incredible dad and now our family’s guiding light. I love you and I miss you every day.”
Credit: Disney/Eric McCandles
Robert’s ‘DWTS’ Debut
Robert paid tribute to Steve by throwing his fists up in the air, mimicking his father’s signature pose, during the premiere of Dancing With the Stars season 34 on September 16, 2025. His “Born to Be Wild” dance with partner Witney Carson was filled with several other nods to Steve and the Australia Zoo, including a khaki uniform and howler monkey sound effects.
Credit: Eric McCandless/Disney
Dancing for Dad
Before every dance on Dancing With the Stars season 34, Robert would wear his dad’s old shirt as a good-luck charm.
“I found this shirt. It's absolutely tattered and had holes and all sorts in it, missing buttons. So I went and got it all fixed up,” he said via a November 2025 Instagram video. “New buttons attached. Everything all patched back up again and all the holes repaired. Kind of got it back up to scratch. And I like that it still looks and feels like him.”
During the finale on November 25, 2025, Robert dedicated his freestyle to Steve.
“I wouldn’t be here without my dad and his legacy,” he told his pro partner Witney Carson before they won the season. “I really want to make him proud in this dance. I want to show how we’re going to write our own story. I wish he could see it. I really wish he could be here.”
Create a free account to access exclusive content, play games, solve puzzles, test your pop-culture knowledge and receive special offers.Already have an account? Login
