Terri Irwin reveals her chance meeting with late husband Steve and reflects on their love story… as she marks 17 years since he was tragically killed by a stingray

Terri Irwin has opened up about her chance meeting with her late husband Steve Irwin at the Australia Zoo in 1991.

The 59-year-old spoke about the couple’s heartwarming love story in a resurfaced segment on his TV show The Crocodile Hunter and said she found Steve incredible.

‘I was sold. I thought, ‘This man is the most incredible man I’ve ever seen. He’s probably married. He needs to be taken,'” she said.

In the old footage, Steve also revealed his version of the first meeting.

“When I saw Terri in the crowd, I looked up and our eyes met and my heart just went, ‘BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG,'” he said in the same episode.

“It was love at first sight,” he confirmed, adding, “I know this sounds like something out of a Mills & Boon romance novel, but it’s true.

“So I finished the demo – ‘Yes, thanks for coming’ – and then she stayed behind and talked to me.”

Terri recalled how Steve joked about “introducing her to his girlfriend” after she suspected he already had a wife.

The 59-year-old spoke about the couple’s heartwarming love story in a resurfaced segment on his TV show The Crocodile Hunter and said she found Steve incredible.

Two seconds later, Steve revealed that the “girlfriend” he was referring to was a dog named “Suey.”

“He shouted, ‘Hey, Suey,’ and here comes this little dog, Suey,” Terri said.

“I said, ‘Boom! No girlfriend!”

Terri said when she first saw Steve at Australia Zoo: “I was hooked. I thought, ‘This man is the most incredible man I have ever seen. He’s probably married. He must be taken.” Both in the photo

Terri revealed how Steve proposed to his ‘girlfriend’ Suey, leaving her heartbroken. Only for her to realize it was his dog. The couple started dating soon after. Terri, Robert, Bindi and Steve are all pictured

The couple started dating and married eight months later in June 1992.

Terri publicly celebrated the 17th anniversary of Steve’s death earlier this month, on September 4, and paid a solemn tribute to him.

The nature star shared a rarely seen photo of Steve crouched in a cabin with a dog next to him as the light illuminated him.

Steve was equally smitten with Terri, saying, “It was love at first sight,” he confirmed, adding, “I know this sounds like something out of a Mills & Boon romance novel, but it’s true. ‘

Terri kept it short but very meaningful on the 17th anniversary of her husband’s death, leaving the caption “Remembering Steve” with just a searing red love heart.

Steve died tragically when a stingray barb pierced his chest on September 4, 2006, while filming near Batt Reef, Queensland, in his native Australia.

He was only 44 years old at the time.

Steve’s fans quickly poured out their hearts to Terri, offering love and support to the beloved conservationist, as they too remembered Steve.

“Thank you for keeping him alive and present for all of us. You have set a path for the rest of us widowed mamas to follow,” one fan wrote.

Terri kept it short but very meaningful on the 17th anniversary of her husband’s death, leaving the caption “Remembering Steve” with just a searing red love heart

“I wish I could say how much Steve Irwin and you Terri meant to us growing up… I wish you had more time together, but he is always with you and has shaped the next generation in many ways. I love you and your family from the US!’ wrote another.

Another wrote that their daughter became a veterinarian after being inspired by Steve’s work with animals and his passion for wildlife.

“My daughter grew up watching him. She is now completing her veterinary degree. He played a huge role in her love of animals,” wrote another.

Terri famously took over the Australia Zoo after being widowed with the couple’s two children, while Bindi was just eight years old at the time.

The couple’s son, Robert, was only two years old when he died.

Terri famously took over the Australia Zoo after being widowed with the couple’s two children, while Bindi was just eight years old at the time. Pictured: Steve, Terri and Bindi in Sydney