Bindi Irwin sends bittersweet birthday message to her dad
Bindi Irwin is feeling extra sentimental today.
Feb. 22 marks what would have been Steve Irwin’s 56th birthday. It’s a birthday Steve shared with his mother, Lyn. Bindi, 19, posted a photo of her late father and grandmother with a sweet note attached.
Happy Birthday to my dad and grandmother.
I wish so much that I could give you birthday hugs. You are both in my heart today and I hope you are celebrating together ❤️ pic.twitter.com/jqeoetkVfI— Bindi Irwin (@BindiIrwin) February 22, 2018
The Crocodile Hunter legend was killed after being stung by a stingray in 2006 off the coast of Australia while filming the underwater documentary Ocean’s Deadliest. Bindi was only 8 when Irwin died; her brother, Robert, was 2. Their grandmother had tragically passed away six years earlier, after a car accident.
Steve’s legacy lives on through his kids. It was recently revealed that Bindi, Robert, and their mom Terri would be headed back to Animal Planet, the same network that was home to The Crocodile Hunter. The new show was teased during the Super Bowl with an old clip of Steve talking about his passion for wildlife conservation and the dream of his family’s involvement one day.
My first time watching this footage was only a few days ago. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to describe the amount of emotion in my heart once the video ended. My dad. My superhero. I promise to do my best to make you proud and ensure your legacy lives on forever.@AnimalPlanet pic.twitter.com/PWRiXvUrGx
— Bindi Irwin (@BindiIrwin) February 4, 2018
The show will follow the family as they manage the Australia Zoo and their nonprofit organization, Wildlife Warriors. Working with animals is “a part of who we are, it’s not just what we do,” Bindi told the Today show last month. “We do want to carry on in Dad’s footsteps, and make sure everything he worked so hard for continues on.”
Bindi has the support of her boyfriend, Chandler Powell, on this bittersweet day. Powell, who hails from Florida, recently relocated to Australia.
“I’m so lucky that I’ve met someone who is excited and up for the challenge of our wonderful busy life,” Irwin recently told People. “He is just amazing. We’re having a great time throwing Chandler into everything … in the afternoon Robert has been taking him out to feed the freshwater crocodiles and the gators.”
The best way to start the day. Koala cuddles with my love ❤️@chandlerpowell @australiazoo
A post shared by Bindi Irwin (@bindisueirwin) on Jan 22, 2018 at 4:23pm PST
She has also said her father “would’ve loved” Powell.
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