Robert Irwin Reflects on Grief and Connection to His Father Steve Irwin
Robert Irwin has candidly shared his journey of finding strength in the vulnerability of grief, nearly two decades after the tragic death of his iconic father, Steve Irwin. The 22-year-old wildlife conservationist opened up in a heartfelt interview, revealing how he continues to "feel" the presence of the beloved Crocodile Hunter in pivotal moments of his life.
Embracing the Pain of Grief in Family Milestones
In a deeply personal conversation on the CNN podcast All There Is With Anderson Cooper, Robert Irwin recounted the emotional weight of walking his sister Bindi down the aisle at her 2020 wedding to Chandler Powell. He described this as a moment where grief "hits you" unexpectedly, acknowledging the profound absence of his father, who was originally meant to fulfill that role.
"I remember feeling like this isn't my job, and there's this weird sort of imposter syndrome," Robert revealed. "But I was like, this is what's going on. I almost felt a responsibility—it was like this is what dad was supposed to be doing. So I got to make the most of it. I got to do this for him."
He shared that the experience led to an intense emotional release later that night, as he sat in his backyard, processing the complex feelings of loss and duty. Robert described his grief as "crazy," but also highlighted how embracing that pain can feel "so good" when allowed to surface in a healthy way.
A Spiritual Connection Through Wildlife Encounters
Robert Irwin, who won the 2025 season of Dancing With The Stars in America, finds his strongest connection to his father when immersed in the Australian outback. He recounted a particularly poignant story from a recent research expedition, where he felt Steve's "warmth" during the capture of a wild crocodile.
As the team leader for the first time—a significant rite of passage—Robert faced a dangerous encounter with a crocodile that was "death rolling" and posed close calls. However, the moment took a miraculous turn when he noticed a distinct marking on the animal's scales.
"It was a crocodile that my dad had caught 20 years ago," Robert explained. "And the craziest bit is, we managed to use satellite technology to figure it out, and we caught him in the exact same spot that he did on an expedition completely randomly 20 years back."
Laying on the crocodile, feeling its breath on his face, Robert sensed his father's guiding presence, as if Steve was there to support him through this challenging and symbolic moment.
Keeping Memories Alive Through Personal Artifacts
Another profound way Robert maintains a bond with his father is through Steve's old red motorcycle, which he now rides daily at Australia Zoo. As a toddler, Robert associated the sound of the motorcycle's engine with his dad's presence, and he felt a deep sense of confusion when that sound ceased after Steve's passing.
"When I was about three to four, I spent almost a year—having no idea how to fix a motorcycle—every day with dad's tools at his motorbike, trying to fix his motorbike," Robert recalled. "Going, I need to get this thing running again so that he can come and start riding it again. Like what's going on, you know?"
As an adult, Robert successfully restored the motorcycle, and it now serves as a tangible link to his father. "I ride it every single day. And now it's, when I get on that motorbike, I'm like, hell yeah," he said, emphasizing how this simple act keeps Steve's memory vibrant and alive.
Through these shared stories, Robert Irwin offers a moving testament to the enduring power of love and memory, demonstrating how grief can transform into a source of strength and connection across generations.
