Robert Irwin Reflects on Grief and Legacy of Father Steve Irwin
Robert Irwin has candidly shared his journey of navigating grief and finding strength in vulnerability since the passing of his father, the legendary Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin, two decades ago. In a heartfelt interview with CNN journalist Anderson Cooper on the podcast All There Is, the 22-year-old wildlife warrior opened up about the emotional moments that continue to shape his life.
Embracing the Pain of Milestone Moments
Robert recalled one particularly poignant experience when he walked his sister Bindi down the aisle at her 2020 wedding to Chandler Powell. He described feeling a mix of responsibility and imposter syndrome, knowing this was a role his father was meant to fulfill.
"There have been times in my life where certain moments just hit you," Robert explained. "I remember feeling like this isn't my job, but I got to make the most of it. I got to do this for him. I need to enjoy this for him."
That evening, Robert found himself sitting in his backyard, overwhelmed with emotion. "I dumped so much emotion," he shared. "I think because there are these little moments that you just go oof."
The Paradox of Grief: Pain That Feels Good
Robert described his grief as "crazy" but also surprisingly therapeutic. "Isn't it crazy how that pain can feel, it sounds so weird, but it can feel so good when you're actually embracing it," he reflected. "When you're letting it kind of hit you. Not detrimentally, but you're letting it in, and you're feeling it."
The 2025 Dancing With The Stars America winner finds particular connection to his father when working in the Australian outback, where Steve Irwin built his conservation legacy.
A Remarkable Crocodile Encounter
Robert shared an extraordinary story from a recent research expedition where he served as team leader for the first time—a significant rite of passage in wildlife conservation work. During a challenging crocodile capture, with the animal death rolling and creating several close calls, Robert noticed something remarkable.
"It was a crocodile that my dad had caught 20 years ago," he revealed. "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."
As Robert lay on the crocodile, feeling its breath on his face, he experienced a profound connection. "I felt like my dad was with me in that moment helping to guide me," he said, describing the encounter as "one of the most beautiful things" and "really special."
Keeping Memories Alive Through Simple Rituals
Another powerful connection to his father comes through Steve Irwin's old red motorcycle, which Robert now rides daily around Australia Zoo. As a toddler, Robert associated the sound of the motorcycle engine with his father's presence.
"Whatever I was doing, I would hear the motorbike, and I'd be like that's him," Robert remembered. "When that all stopped, I remember being so confused."
Between ages three and four, Robert spent nearly a year trying to fix the motorcycle with his father's tools, hoping to make it run again so Steve would return. As an adult, Robert has restored the bike completely. "I ride it every single day," he said. "And now it's, when I get on that motorbike, I'm like, hell yeah."
Through these experiences—from emotional family milestones to wildlife conservation work and personal rituals—Robert Irwin continues to honor his father's legacy while navigating his own path as a conservationist and public figure.
