Terri Irwin marked the 20th anniversary of husband Steve Irwin's death on Friday with an emotional Instagram post revealing she still struggles with grief two decades later.
"After 20 years, grief still walks with me like my shadow," wrote Terri, 62, alongside a throwback photo of the Crocodile Hunter with one of his wild reptiles.
"With the passing of time I have gained more perspective and understanding," she added.
How Steve Irwin died
Irwin died on September 4, 2006, in a freak accident while snorkeling in shallow water at Batt Reef off the coast of Australia. He was filming the documentary Ocean's Deadliest when he swam near a stingray, which suddenly reacted and struck him with its barb, piercing his heart. Despite his crew's quick response and CPR efforts, the injury proved fatal. Irwin was 44.
The family's final weeks together
In her post, Terri also reflected on the last time she, Steve and their children, Bindi, 28, and Robert, 22, were together as a family before tragedy struck.
"We were together as a family, on our crocodile research expedition, for what was to be our final six weeks together. Ours was to be a long and sweet goodbye," she wrote.
"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, every one of us, gets to say goodbye. We just may not know that we're saying it. Hold every moment dear with the ones you love. Until we meet again."
Terri on remarrying
Terri has not remarried since Steve's death and has previously said she has no plans to find another partner, despite rumors linking her to Paul Hogan, the late Hulk Hogan and Russell Crowe, all of which she has denied.
"I have kept 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 told People in 2021. "I think the most flattering would be Russell because he is such a good person, and a very good friend to our family, and I actually do really love him because he loved Steve and they were such good friends."
She held the same line in 2024, telling Us Weekly: "I totally got my happily ever after. And while there are a lot of wonderful men in the world, can you see another Steve Irwin? I just can't."
Bindi and Robert's tributes
Bindi praised her mother in the comments of Terri's post, writing: "I love you so much, Mum. You are the strongest woman I know."
Bindi, who has a daughter, Grace Warrior Irwin Powell, with husband Chandler Powell, also shared a video of her father talking about her birth. "20 years ago, today, the world lost the most passionate and dedicated wildlife conservationist. Our family lost our superhero," she wrote. "My mum lost the love of her life; my brother and I lost the greatest dad. Grief never truly leaves us; we walk alongside it every day. Where there is enormous grief, there is even greater love."
Robert shared a video montage of his father, writing: "Thank you Dad, for showing me and the entire world what it is to truly live. To lead with empathy, to treat every living being how you'd wish to be treated, and to be passionate in everything you do. Your mission and light lives on always."
Australia Zoo and the family's legacy
Steve and Terri Irwin built Australia Zoo and their conservation empire by merging a small reptile park, established by his parents in 1970, with television fame and Irwin's energetic personality. The Crocodile Hunter aired from 1996 to 2004 and turned Irwin into a household name around the world.
Since his death, Terri has carried on his legacy by expanding the family's wildlife conservation missions, running Australia Zoo and steering Wildlife Warriors, their international nonprofit conservation organization, with the help of Bindi, Robert and Chandler Powell.
Robert's Dancing With the Stars tribute
Last year, while competing on Dancing With the Stars, Robert performed a foxtrot with partner Witney Carson to Leona Lewis's song "Footprints in the Sand," dedicating the dance to his father. Robert went on to win the show's 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.
