Every year, people come together to celebrate Steve Irwin’s legacy and raise money to support conservation work at the Steve Irwin Gala. The late conservationist was killed by a stingray in 2006. At the time, he had been married to his wife, Terri Irwin, for about 14 years. Ahead of this year’s Steve Irwin Gala, Terri, 60, spoke to Us Weekly about why the gala is so important to their family.
“The gala dinner is so special because I know Steve used to say to me, ‘When it’s my time, I don’t care if anyone remembers me. I just hope they remember my message,’” Terri told the publication.
During the interview, she praised her husband and explained how he helped her live her life to the fullest. She said Steve was “so passionate and so childlike with his enthusiasm for everything he did.” The fact that Steve had this type of personality meant that their marriage was also full of “fun” and “adventure.”
“Literally every day I didn’t know what it was going to hold,” Terri said. “Steve was probably the most spontaneous person. Everyone says live every day to its fullest, but we never quite do that every day. And Steve really, really did.”
Terri continues to lead a fulfilling life — but she still misses her late husband. “My life is very full and very rich,” she said. “And every day, I wish Steve was here, but I’m so lucky.”
In spite of the tragic loss, Terri said she has “so much love” in her life because of her kids. She is also a grandmother now, as her daughter, Bindi Irwin, welcomed her first child in 2021.
When it comes to romantic love, she has described the love she shared with Steve as “enough to last a lifetime.” She previously explained that she has no desire to date anyone because “Steve was it for me.”
On February 1, 2025, Terri shared an old black-and-white photo of her and Steve on Instagram, writing, “It was 33 years ago today that Steve asked, and I said yes!”
Then, on Valentine’s Day, she shared another photo featuring her late husband and added a simple caption: “Remembering my Valentine.”
