Robert Irwin reveals the heartbreaking news his grandfather suffered from dementia

Robert Irwin made the heartbreaking admission on Sunday that his maternal grandfather suffered from dementia.

The 19-year-old wildlife conservationist admitted to The Project that it was heartbreaking to see his grandfather Clarence, father of Robert’s mother Terri Irwin, experience the tragic effects of the wasting disease.

“I think there is no one alive who hasn’t met someone or has a loved one who has experienced this. My grandfather on my mother’s side had a form of dementia and many family friends have had it as well,” she said.

Robert Irwin (pictured) made the heartbreaking confession Sunday that his maternal grandfather suffered from dementia

“And it’s devastating for someone you love, someone you’re close to, to see them go through it and not be able to relive and enjoy the moments they had.”

Robert said the tragic experience put things in perspective for him.

“It’s heartbreaking, but I guess it just reminds you that you have to spend every second with the people you love and really surround yourself with love and light,” she said.

The wildlife conservationist admitted to The Project that it was “devastating” to see his grandfather Clarence (second from left) experience the tragic effects of wasting disease. In the photo, Steve and Terri Irwin with their parents at their 1992 wedding.

He added that he was hopeful that a proposed new treatment would provide a cure for those with the disorder.

“Hopefully this is the light at the end of the tunnel for people to safely stop this,” the photographer said.

Earlier this year, Robert’s paternal grandfather, Bob Irwin, father of Robert’s late father Steve Irwin, said he was upset that he had yet to meet his great-granddaughter, who is the first child of his estranged granddaughter Bindi Irwin.

Clarence was the father of Terri Irwin (pictured), who is Robert’s mother.

Bindi, 24, welcomed her daughter, Grace Warrior Irwin Powell, in March 2021, and has yet to meet her 83-year-old grandfather, Woman’s Day claimed in a report.

He still talks about Steve (Irwin) and the kids, but sadly. I am sure he is devastated not to meet his great-grandson,” an alleged source told the magazine.

The report goes on to claim that all photos of Bob have been stripped from the Irwin family home at Australia Zoo.

There is “almost no evidence that Bob ever existed,” the insider alleges.

Robert said the tragic experience had taught him to treasure every moment he had with his loved ones. In the photo with his mother Terri and her sister Bindi Irwin.

“There are photos of Lyn, Steve and the kids everywhere, but it would be hard to find anything on Bob.”

It comes after an Irwin family friend said Bob Snr is “deeply upset” by Bindi’s claims that he has “ignored” her since she was a child, leading those close to him to fear that the breakup can have tragic consequences.

Amanda French, co-author of Bob’s 2016 autobiography The Last Crocodile Hunter, said family members have tried to shield Bob from “the full extent” of what Bindi has said about him.

Earlier this year, Robert’s paternal grandfather Bob Irwin (right), father of the late Steve Irwin, said he was “devastated” that he had yet to meet his great-granddaughter, who is his granddaughter Bindi Irwin’s first child.