Steve Irwin died on September 4, 2006. He was just 44 years old. He never got to meet his granddaughter Grace Warrior Irwin Powell, who is now 3 years old.
On Saturday, May 11, 2024, Grace’s mom Bindi Irwin, grandma Terri Irwin, and uncle Robert Irwin attended the Wildlife Warriors Steve Irwin Gala in Las Vegas, Nevada. Steve’s legacy was being honored at the event. Terri revealed that Grace sometimes mistakes her uncle for her late grandpa, whom she calls "Grandpa Crocodile."
Grace’s mix-up is understandable. Robert and Steve look so much alike. It is so special that Grace picks up on that. Steve’s legacy lives on not only in his look-a-like son but also in Bindi and Grace.
Bindi was just 8 years old when she lost her father, but she remembers the lessons he taught her fondly. "The best thing our parents ever did for us was be there for us, no matter what was happening in the world, with our conservation work. Mom and Dad were there for Robert and me 100% of the time," Bindi stated at the event.
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"Life is filled with ups and downs, but if you can count on your parents to love you and support you through your life journey, that's everything, and I hope I can do that for Grace," Bindi went on to say. She shares Grace with husband Chandler Powell.
Bindi hopes to set a good example for her daughter like her parents did for her. "You treat people with kindness, respect, love, and loyalty when your parents show that to you as well," she explained. This is so important to her.
It is also important for Bindi that her daughter knew who her late grandpa was. She and Chandler have shared videos of him with Grace since she was born. "We have so many documentaries of Dad, and we're always playing them for Grace," she explained to People in 2022. "It's so fun to watch her study him. I didn't realize how much Dad's passion for life and his animated facial expressions — I mean, they captivate her."
Bindi and Chandler first met in 2013. Chandler was a professional wakeboarder in Australia for a competition. He visited the Australia Zoo, where Bindi and her family work and live, with his family. Bindi and Chandler instantly connected and kept in touch even when he was in college in Florida.
Sparks flew and the couple was officially doing the long distance thing by 2015. Three years later, Chandler moved to Australia to be with Bindi. The couple got engaged in 2019 and married the following year. Grace was born on March 25, 2021.
