How Robert Irwin’s new girlfriend Rorie Buckey is the perfect combination of beauty AND brain

Steve Irwin’s son Robert turned 19 last week with his stunning new girlfriend, Heath Ledger’s niece Rorie Buckey, by his side.

And it’s clear that 18-year-old Rorie has more to offer than good looks and a Hollywood connection.

Based in Perth, Western Australia, Rorie has an impressive academic record.

The blonde, who recently graduated from high school, is currently studying for a Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy at Perth’s prestigious Curtin University.

Currently, entry to the four-year program requires students to have an ATAR of over 90, which means that Rorie would have scored higher than 90% of her peers during the HSC, a truly impressive feat.

Before university, Rorie and her twin sister Scarlett attended Penrhos College, a private girls’ school in Perth.

Interestingly, the sisters’ late uncle, Heath Ledger, was sacked during a private funeral at Penrhos College in 2008.

The sisters thrived academically during their time at the prestigious school and in 2021 both Rorie and Scarlett received special awards from the Western Australia board of education for distinction in the classroom.

Photos on Rorie’s Facebook page also show that she is an outgoing and sociable student with lots of friends.

Some pictures apparently show Rorie and her sister dressed up to attend their Year 12 gala.

Given her impressive track record, Robert’s famously nurturing mother Terri will no doubt be happy with her son’s choice of bride.

In 2018, Terri said live access that their only child, who was 14 at the time, was already receiving attention from the opposite sex.

“Yeah, well, they’re only human,” he laughed during the live interview.

“I love watching him grow up and have a passion for photography. There are plenty of young girls who love photography too,” she mused.

“I’ll be like, ‘She’s kind of cute.’ And he’ll say, ‘Yeah, she’s got a Canon Eos mark 1 with an f2.8 camcorder and amazing ISO.’ And I said, ‘Wow, good for her,’ he laughed.

Robert Frirst was spotted hugging Rorie during a romantic beachside date in Queensland on November 18, and sparks flew.

After picking up burgers and fries at a local Grill’d, the pair finally found a grassy path and sat down, prompting Robert to hug the blonde and give her a big bear hug.

Rorie is the sister of Heath Ledger’s daughter Kate, who owns a design and media production company, and Nathan Buckey, who owns a floor covering store.

Meanwhile, Robert and Rorie have a lot in common: They both grew up in the public eye after suffering the devastating loss of a family member.

Heath was at the height of his Hollywood career when he was found dead in January 2008 after an accidental overdose of prescription drugs.

Since then, Kate has been committed to keeping The Dark Knight star’s legacy alive by creating the Heath Ledger Scholarship for promising young Australian actors.

“Health is very important in my children’s lives,” she said. Who magazine in 2018.

Not a day goes by that we don’t share stories or talk about him. He is very much alive in our house.

Like Rorie, Robert is all too familiar with loss.

His father Steve, known worldwide as the ‘Crocodile Hunter’, died at the age of 44, on September 4, 2006, after being pierced through the chest by a ray.

Steve is survived by his wife Terri, daughter Bindi and son Robert, who was just three years old when his father passed away.

Like Heath’s sister, Robert and the Irwin family are committed to keeping Steve’s memory alive through their conservation work at Australia Zoo.

“Carrying on Dad’s legacy is what this is about,” Robert said in a recent Instagram video promoting Steve Irwin Day, which falls on November 15.

‘He gave it his all. He was always there for us children. He was the ultimate wildlife warrior and he is our biggest inspiration,” he said.