Bindi Irwin Got Emotional Sharing How Her Daughter Reminds Her of Late Father Steve Irwin

Steve Irwin, famously known as ’The Crocodile Hunter,’ ran the Australia Zoo, sharing his deep love for wildlife with his wife, Terri, and their kids, Bindi and Robert. Even though Steve tragically passed away in 2006, his legacy is alive and thriving through his family. Bindi’s little girl is already following in her grandpa’s footsteps, embracing a love for animals.

Bindi and Robert developed a passion for wildlife early in their childhood.

Steve grew up around reptiles, thanks to his parents who started a reptile park back in 1970. With a natural knack for handling snakes and crocodiles, Steve basically lived and breathed wildlife. The Irwin family still resides at the zoo, spending heaps of time with all kinds of animals.

Robert Irwin, now a wildlife photographer and conservationist, is a chip off the old block. He’s not only a dead ringer for his dad but also shares his passion for crocodiles. Bindi, who’s also a wildlife conservationist, is still very much involved with Australia Zoo. She’s even rubbed shoulders with royalty to chat about saving the Great Barrier Reef.

Steve Irwin’s first granddaughter seems to follow in his footsteps.

Continuing her father’s mission, she met Chandler Powell, a wakeboarder, at the zoo in 2013, tied the knot with him in 2020, and they welcomed their daughter, Grace Warrior, in 2021.

Just like her granddad, little Grace is already bonding with wildlife. Bindi proudly shared, “Meet Grace’s new best friend, Fergo, the cassowary chick. They absolutely love each other!” Grace has also met Occa, who was rescued by Steve 20 years ago. Bindi gets emotional, saying, “These photographs brought me to tears.”

Bindi and her family see so much of her dad in her daughter.

The Crocodile Hunter’s spirit lives on. Eighteen years after Steve’s untimely death at 44, Bindi reflected on the striking similarities between her dad and her 3-year-old daughter. At the annual Steve Irwin Gala on May 11, Bindi said, “I see so much of dad and our beautiful daughter Grace. She has so much fiery, passionate energy about her. She just is a determined woman and she never stops moving. I mean, she’s 3 so she is a very busy girl.”

Bindi, married to Chandler for four years, joked that Grace “believes she runs Australia Zoo.” She laughed, “She thinks that it’s her job to make sure all the animals are cared for.”

Terri Irwin, Steve’s wife of 14 years, sees Steve’s childlike wonder in Grace. “Watching Grace is like watching Steve because Steve never stopped being 3 years old. He had that wonder of nature and discovery and curiosity every single day. And to see that in Grace, I want to nurture that and make sure she hangs on to that forever.”

Even though Steve is gone, he’s still a big part of Grace’s life. Bindi shared that Grace has a special nickname for him: “She calls dad Grandpa Crocodile and it’s so cute,” Bindi added. “It melts my heart every time she says it.”

For the last decade, Bindi Irwin has struggled with a serious disease. She shared her journey to raise awareness for people who have been struggling with the same situation as her.