For Terri Irwin, the loss of her husband Steve Irwin remains a constant source of grief.
On Friday, the 20th anniversary of his tragic death, Terri, 62, shared Instagram which she has had difficulty with in recent years.
“After twenty years, grief still walks with me like my shadow,” wrote Terri, who, along with her children, Bindi, 28, and Robert, 22, continues her husband’s legacy of Australia Zoo and conservation work.
“As time has gone by I have gained more perspective and understanding,” Terri – whose Australia Zoo was embroiled in a recent Fair Work battle with a wildlife rescuer – added alongside a throwback photo of Irwin with one of his wild reptiles.
Irwin’s death on September 4, 2006 was a freak accident caused by an unpredictable encounter with a large stingray.
Irwin was snorkeling in shallow water at Batt Reef, off the coast of Australia, while making the documentary Ocean’s Deadliest. He swam near the stingray, which suddenly reacted and struck him with its barb, piercing his heart.
Steve Irwin’s widow, Terri, marked the 20th anniversary of his death on Friday with an emotional Instagram post featuring a throwback photo of The Crocodile Hunter with one of his wild reptiles
“After twenty years, sadness still walks with me like my shadow,” Terri wrote. Above, Terri in May 2024 at the Steve Irwin Gala in Las Vegas, Nevada
Despite his crew’s quick response and resuscitation efforts, the injury proved fatal. Irwin was 44.
Terri also reflected on the last time the entire family was together before disaster struck.
‘We were together as a family on our crocodile research expedition, for what would be our last six weeks together. It was going to be a long and sweet goodbye,” she recalled in her post.
‘Steve spent time with Bindi and Robert building swings and climbing trees. We all slowed down. Time slowed down. I believe that all of us, each of us, can say goodbye. We may not know we are saying it. Cherish every moment with those you love. Until we meet again.’
Terri has not remarried and previously said she has no plans to find another partner, despite rumors linking her to the likes of Paul Hogan, the late Hulk Hogan and Russell Crowe, rumors she has denied.
“I’ve been keeping track because it’s kind of funny… let’s see, apparently it’s all the Hogans – that’s Paul and Hulk; Russell Crowe, and most recently it’s Richard Wilkins,” she shared People in 2021.
“I think Russell would be the most flattering because he’s such a good person, and a very good friend to our family. “I actually really love him because he loved Steve and they were such good friends.”
Terri stuck to that line and talked We weekly in 2024: ‘I have my happily ever after. And while there are a lot of great men in the world, can you see another Steve Irwin? I just can’t do it.’
The Crocodile Hunter was killed in a freak accident off the coast of Australia when a stingray turned on him and its barb pierced his heart. He was 44. Above, Terri and Irwin at the Australia Zoo with a koala
Terri also reflected on the last time the whole family was together before disaster struck: “Steve spent time with Bindi and Robert, building swings and climbing trees.” Pictured above is the family on stage at the Australia Zoo in 2004
The couple’s daughter, Bindi, praised her mother, calling her “the strongest woman I know.” Above, Terri and Irwin in 2002 at the opening of their film The Crocodile Hunter
Robert has followed in his late father’s footsteps by getting up close to huge crocodiles at Australia Zoo
Bindi praised her mother in the comments, writing, “I love you so much mom. You are the strongest woman I know.”
Terri’s firstborn also celebrated her father by sharing a video of Irwin talking about her birth.
“Twenty years ago today, the world lost its most passionate and dedicated conservationist. Our family has lost our superhero,” wrote Bindi, who has a daughter, Grace Warrior Irwin Powell, with husband Chandler Powell.
‘My mother lost the love of her life; my brother and I lost the best father. Sadness never really leaves us; we walk past it every day. Where there is tremendous sorrow, there is even greater love.”
Robert’s moving tribute included a video montage of the legendary Crocodile Hunter.
He said, “Thank you, Dad, for showing me and the whole world what it is to be truly alive. To lead with empathy, to treat every living being as you would want to be treated, and to be passionate in everything you do. Your mission and light will always live on.”
Irwin and his wife developed the Australia Zoo and their conservation empire by merging a small reptile park – founded by his parents in 1970 – with television fame and Irwin’s energetic personality.
The Crocodile Hunter was a huge worldwide television hit that aired from 1996 to 2004 and made Irwin a household name.
Bindi and her husband, Chandler Powell, continue Irwin’s legacy with their conservation work at the Australia Zoo and the international non-profit organization Wildlife Warriors. Above, Bindi and Chandler pose with daughter Grace, now five, on Instagram
Terri has not remarried and previously said she has no plans to find another partner, despite rumors linking her to the likes of Paul Hogan, the late Hulk Hogan and Russell Crowe, rumors she has denied. Above, Terri, Bindi and Robert in 2024 at an event in New York City
Since his death, Terri has continued Irwin’s legacy by expanding their conservation missions, running the Australia Zoo and directing Wildlife Warriors, their international conservation non-profit organization, all with the help of Robert and Bindi and Bindi’s husband.
Last year, while competing on Dancing With the Stars, Robert performed a foxtrot with partner Witney Carson to Leona Lewis’ song Footprints in the Sand, which was dedicated to his father.
Irwin’s son finally won the trophy in November.
“I carry Dad’s legacy with me in everything I do, and it was a privilege to dedicate our foxtrot to him,” Robert wrote on Instagram at the time.
