It has been nearly a decade since the world bid farewell to Steve Irwin, the beloved “Crocodile Hunter.” His untimely death left millions in shock and mourning. Recently, his wife, Terri Irwin, shared a deeply emotional secret about Steve’s life during her appearance on the Australian television program Anh’s Brush With Fame.
Terri, now 53, took part in the show to discuss her work advocating against animal culling. However, the conversation soon shifted to her late husband. Tearfully, she revealed that Steve often felt he wouldn’t live a long life. “He never believed he’d have a long life,” Terri shared, her voice filled with pain. Sadly, his premonition came true in the most heartbreaking way.
In 2006, while filming Ocean’s Deadliest in Queensland, Australia, Steve tragically lost his life when a stingray’s barb pierced his chest. Terri vividly recalls the devastating moment she had to tell their two children, Bindi and Robert, about their father’s passing. Overwhelmed with grief and responsibility, she remembers thinking, “What do I do next?” as she struggled to navigate the loss.
Terri’s last memory of Steve is a poignant one—waving goodbye as she and the kids left for Tasmania. Unbeknownst to her, it would be the final time she saw the love of her life. Even after all these years, she admits the pain of his absence remains profound. “Every day is hard,” she says. “The grief has shifted—it’s no longer a rock in your heart but something that walks beside you.”
Despite the heartache, Terri expresses gratitude for the time she had with Steve. Reflecting on their relationship, she says, “I’m so thankful I got to have my ‘happily ever after’ with him.” She reveals that she still thinks about him daily and believes he would have been deeply touched by the global outpouring of love and support after his death. “He never saw himself as famous,” Terri explains. “That humility was just who Steve was.”
Steve’s enduring humility and dedication to wildlife made him a figure loved worldwide. Terri is proud of the legacy they built together, from their conservation work to their commitment to protecting nature. Today, she and their children, Bindi and Robert, continue to honor Steve’s mission, turning their grief into purpose. Both children have followed in their father’s footsteps, becoming passionate advocates for wildlife conservation.
Though the Irwin family continues to feel the weight of their loss, they remain steadfast in ensuring that Steve’s memory and vision live on. As the world reflects on the life of Steve Irwin, it finds comfort knowing that his passion for animals and conservation continues to inspire future generations through his devoted family.