On September 4 2006, fans around the world were left in shock by the unexpected death of conservationist Steve Irwin at 44, known by his nickname ‘The Crocodile Hunter’.
Today, his family – including his wife Terri Irwin, children Bindi Irwin and Robert Irwin, and his son-in-law Chandler Powell – have honoured his legacy in heartfelt tributes 20 years later.
In a long message, Terri, 62, wrote that ‘grief still walks with me like my shadow’, while Bindi, 28, described her late dad as their family’s ‘superhero’.
Two decades ago, Steve was snorkelling in shallow waters in Queensland when a stingray barb stabbed him in the chest, fatally piercing his heart.
Many people grew up watching him on TV, becoming enthused by his love for wildlife and his passion for protecting creatures that are often misunderstood.
Despite becoming known as The Crocodile Hunter, the kind-hearted zookeeper didn’t hunt crocodiles, but tracked them down for research and when needed, to relocate them for conservation purposes.
In an Instagram post, Terri shared a photo of her late husband, whom she met in 1991, became engaged to four months later and married in 1992.
‘After 20 years, grief still walks with me like my shadow. With the passing of time I have gained more perspective and understanding,’ she wrote.
‘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.’
Terri, who owns Australia Zoo, continued: ‘Steve spent time with Bindi and Robert building swings and climbing trees. We all slowed down. Time slowed down.
‘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.❤️.’
Robert, 22, who many fans claim is the spitting image of his father and has since become a big TV personality, particularly on Dancing with the Stars, shared a picture of himself as a baby looking up at his dad while sitting on his knee.
‘Your legacy is forever,’ the conservationist wrote in his caption, also sharing a picture of Steve on his Instagram Story.
Bindi, who was two when her father died, uploaded a video of Steve talking about her birth, saying that it was the ‘most incredible wildlife encounter’ of his life.
He recalled his wife being in agony during labour, and then the doctor telling him to grab his daughter’s head.
‘Here’s this little baby girl, I swear she just fitted right in here in the palms of my hands,’ he said. ‘I was flabbergasted.’
In her caption to accompany the video, Bindi wrote: ‘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.
‘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, who shares her daughter Grace with her husband Chandler Powell, continued: ‘I have a 5-year-old daughter who watches his documentaries every morning. She feels utterly loved by her “grandpa crocodile” without ever having met him.
‘My dad left a lasting impact so poignant that it will ripple out for generations to come. 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.’
While Chandler never met Steve, he also shared a tribute to his father-in-law, posting a picture of himself as a child holding up a Crocodile Hunter video.
‘Steve was always someone I looked up to when I was a young boy. 20 years after his passing, his legacy is still inspiring countless people around the world,’ the 29-year-old said.
‘Steve gave everything to protect our planet and its animals. It is incredibly heartwarming to see Steve’s mission continuing through Terri, Bindi, Robert, and everyone at Australia Zoo. So proud and honored to be part of this amazing work.’