Steve Irwin’s son Robert Irwin breaks down in tears seeing his dad for the first time in years
Steve Irwin, world-renowned conservationist, wildlife educator, and crocodile hunter, died in 2006 after he was stung by a stingray.
His children, Bindi Irwin and Robert Irwin, who have both followed in his footsteps, were 8 and 2 years old, respectively, at the time of their father’s death.
Now, 18 years after Steve Irwin’s death, Robert Irwin has seen a version of his dad that isn’t a picture, and it was an emotional experience.
In a video shared on TikTok by News.com.au, Robert Irwin was overcome with emotion after he was introduced to a wax figure of his his beloved father.
“That is amazing,” Robert Irwin is heard saying as his voice breaks. “Well, it’s the first time in a long time that he’s not just a picture.”
On Dec. 1, Robert Irwin’s 21st birthday, he remembered his dad.
“Today I turn 21. I was looking through the archives a few days ago and I found these pictures of my dad on his 21st,” he wrote in the caption of his Instagram post.
“It can be hard to celebrate the milestones when there’s someone missing, but I will carry his memory and passion with me in this new chapter of life. I am one lucky guy to be surrounded by my amazing family today. Time to celebrate!”
In the comment section, Bindi Irwin wrote, “Dad is so proud of you.”
In February, Robert Irwin told The Australian Women’s Weekly that he still wishes he could “ask Dad for advice.”
“There is not a day that goes by that I don’t think: ‘Gosh, I wonder what I’d ask Dad if he was here,” he told the magazine. “When you lose someone, a father figure, at such a young age, who is such a commanding presence of positivity and everything that is good in the world, of course all I want is for him to be here for me; to go, ‘What do you think about this, what do you think about that?’ There are so many things I wish I could ask him on so many levels.”
But as Robert Irwin follows down a similar path, he is constantly reminded o the memories with his dad.
“Little things. Pieces of footage. Photos. Even something like a shirt I wore, and it will just come flooding back,” he said of holding onto those memories.
“I remember it was always the littlest tickle and I’d just start cracking myself laughing,” he continued talking about his first-ever The Australian Women’s Weekly photo shoot alongside his family.
“So, I remember that day – my mum and dad tickling me, so I’d be laughing, and you’d get that amazing cover shot.”
This story was originally published December 2, 2024 at 2:19 PM with the headline "Steve Irwin’s son Robert Irwin breaks down in tears seeing his dad for the first time in years."