In a moment that has left the world in tears, Robert Irwin has opened up about the profound, ongoing connection he feels with his father, the legendary “Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin. As we approach the 20-year anniversary of Steve’s shocking death, the 22-year-old wildlife warrior revealed the specific moments when he feels his father’s presence most strongly—and it’s not just in the “big” moments, but in the quiet ones.
Speaking in a series of deeply personal interviews during his recent stint on Dancing With The Stars, Robert confessed that as he reaches the same life milestones his father once did, the grief doesn’t necessarily get easier—it just gets “deeper.”
Where He Feels Steve Most Robert revealed that he feels closest to his father when he is “in the middle of nowhere” in the Australian outback. “If Australia were a person, it would be my dad,” Robert shared. “It is where I feel his energy and his passion more than anywhere else. You feel like you’re part of something so much bigger than yourself.”
The “Gift” of the Archives Because Robert was only two years old when Steve was killed by a stingray in 2006, he admits he relies on the massive library of Crocodile Hunter footage to fill in the gaps of his memory. He described finding “unseen” archive footage as a “miracle,” saying, “All of a sudden, his memory just starts flooding back. It’s weird that decades later, I almost have an even greater picture of the person he was.”
A Legacy Continued The young conservationist also moved audiences to tears with a dedicated dance to the song “You’ll Be in My Heart,” which he performed as a tribute to his mother, Terri Irwin, for her strength in carrying on Steve’s mission alone.
“I struggle a lot with losing Dad,” Robert admitted during a raw moment on camera. “But he always said, ‘I don’t care if people remember me. I want people to remember my message.’ I just hope I’m making him proud.” Judging by the global outpouring of support, there isn’t a doubt in anyone’s mind that the “Crocodile Hunter” is looking down with a massive “Crikey!” and a smile.