Robert Irwin has grown up under the loving legacy of his late father, Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin — a man whose passion for wildlife and unshakable energy made him one of the most beloved conservationists in the world. But for Robert, that legacy isn’t just a public image. It’s something deeply personal, something his father made sure to leave behind before his tragic passing in 2006.
While appearing on the podcast The Viall Files, the 21-year-old wildlife photographer opened up about the emotional bond he still feels with his father, and the powerful message Steve left him — one that has guided Robert’s every move since childhood.
“He always said, ‘My whole mission is to create a legacy that my kids can continue,’” Robert recalled, holding back tears. “He said that years before he passed. For me, watching that now, it’s like he gave me this gift — it’s there, it’s in writing, it’s in the footage. He made sure we’d always have it.”
Steve Irwin, known around the world for his infectious enthusiasm and fearless approach to wildlife, died on September 4, 2006, at just 44 years old, after being pierced in the chest by a short-tail stingray barb while filming in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. At the time, Robert was only two years old.
Even though Robert’s memories of his dad are “blurry” and “very distant,” he says that seeing old videos of their time together can unlock vivid flashes of the past. “Sometimes I’ll see a clip I’ve never watched before and suddenly — boom — I remember that exact moment. The feeling, the warmth, everything floods back. It’s the greatest gift I could ever receive.”
Robert described one particularly touching moment when his niece Grace, the daughter of his sister Bindi Irwin, pointed to a video of Steve and mistook him for Robert. “That’s when it really hit me,” he said softly. “It’s emotional to know she sees so much of him in me. It’s like his spirit is still here.”
Today, Robert is continuing his father’s mission in his own way — not just through his work at the Australia Zoo, but also on the dance floor. Competing on Dancing with the Stars with professional dancer Witney Carson, he brought the entire ballroom to tears during Dedication Night with a moving tribute to his mother, Terri Irwin.
Dancing to Phil Collins’ “You’ll Be in My Heart,” Robert honored Terri for her strength and unwavering love after Steve’s death. “I was two when I lost dad,” he explained in rehearsal footage. “As I got older, I realized how hard it must’ve been for her — raising me and Bindi alone, keeping Dad’s legacy alive, and still being our rock.”
He paused, visibly emotional, before adding, “I’ve never been able to capture the gratitude I feel for her. Every time I wished Dad was there, she was. And that was enough. She made sure Dad was always present in our lives. I want her to know how proud he would be of her.”
For many fans watching, Robert’s story is more than a touching tribute — it’s proof that Steve Irwin’s legacy lives on through his children. From the fearless zookeeper who changed how the world viewed wildlife, to the son who continues that mission with quiet strength and humility, the Irwin family remains a symbol of love, resilience, and the power of legacy that never fades.