The financial fortunes of Robert Irwin have skyrocketed following his triumphant victory on the US version of Dancing with the Stars, cementing his status as a bankable star on the international stage.
Mirrorball Trophy and a Massive Payday
The 21-year-old conservationist and television personality capped off a stellar month by winning the coveted Mirrorball trophy on Wednesday, echoing the success of his older sister, Bindi Irwin, who won the competition back in 2015. While the trophy is a glittering prize, the real win for the son of the late Steve Irwin was the substantial financial reward that came with his extended stay on the show.
While the exact figure remains confidential, industry reports shed light on the potential earnings. According to a 2019 report from Variety, celebrities on the US-based show receive a base salary of $188,000 (US$125,000) for the rehearsal period and the first two weeks. Contestants who progress further earn significant weekly bonuses, with several media outlets estimating that Irwin's run to the finale netted him a total between $447,000 and $606,000 (AUD).
This dwarfs the payments on the Australian version of the show, where local celebrities are reportedly paid between $27,000 and $100,000.
Building a Multi-Million Dollar Empire
This recent windfall has given a considerable boost to Robert Irwin's net worth. The website Celebrity Net Worth measured his wealth at $US5 million ($7,650,000) in August of this year. His fee from Dancing with the Stars is now expected to push that figure comfortably above $8 million.
His financial success is not solely reliant on reality TV glory. Robert continues his vital work as a manager at Australia Zoo, the family's conservation legacy. He has also become a highly sought-after presenter, fronting I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! for the past two seasons and appearing regularly on the family's show, Crikey! It’s the Irwins, which first aired in 2018.
Further expanding his profile, Irwin caused a sensation earlier this year with a series of stylish underwear commercials for the Bonds' Made for Down Under campaign, showcasing his evolution from the fresh-faced boy the public grew up with into a confident young adult.
The Irwin Family Legacy and Wealth
The financial achievements of the Irwin family are a testament to their decades of work in conservation and entertainment. Robert's father, the legendary Steve Irwin, was valued at $US10 million ($15,300,00) at the time of his death, with much of his wealth tied up in real estate and conservation projects like Australia Zoo.
The Brisbane-based zoo, initially established as Beerwah Reptile Park by Steve's parents in 1970, is now owned and chaired by his wife, Terri Irwin. Her net worth is estimated at a substantial $US20 million ($30,600,00), which includes her stake in The Crocodile Hunter Lodge, a luxury cabin resort near the Sunshine Coast which opened in 2022.
Terri revealed in a 2024 interview with the Australian Financial Review that she is now completely debt-free, a stark contrast to the difficult financial position she faced after Steve's tragic death in 2006. "Everything was reinvested into conservation work. I was in debt … and Steve’s life insurance, I think, was the sum total of $200,000 which didn’t even cover half of one week’s payroll," she admitted.
Similarly, Bindi Irwin's net worth is also estimated at around $5 million. However, with his recent high-profile successes in the United States, it appears Robert's bank account is now poised to surpass that of his hardworking sister.
