Who Is Robert Irwin’s Ex-Girlfriend? All About Rorie Buckey

Robert Irwin and Rorie Buckey split in February 2024 after more than a year of dating

Robert Irwin and Rorie Buckey have gone their separate ways.

After more than a year of dating, the couple announced their split in February 2024.

"We wanted to share that we have decided to go our separate ways but profoundly appreciate all the time spent together and wish one another all the very best into the future,” Irwin and Buckey said in a joint statement on Instagram.

The son of the late Steve Irwin and Buckley were first linked in November 2022 and went public with their relationship in July 2023. During their time together, they traveled together across continents, and Buckey worked with Irwin at the Australia Zoo, which his family owns.

So, who is Robert Irwin’s ex-girlfriend? Here’s everything to know about Rorie Buckey.

She is a student

Buckey graduated from high school in 2022 and began studying at Curtin University in Perth, Australia, that same year, per her Facebook. She is working toward a bachelor’s degree in physiotherapy.

She's the niece of late actor Heath Ledger

Irwin and Buckey both have experienced the death of a close relative. Buckey is the niece of Heath Ledger, who died in 2008 from an accidental overdose. Her mother, Kate, is Heath’s sister and Buckey’s cousin is Matilda Ledger, daughter of Heath and Michelle Williams.

In 2017, Kate opened up to PEOPLE about her niece and how she keeps Heath’s memory alive.

“When [Matilda] picks up her pencil, it reminds me of Heath; when she walks, it reminds me of Heath; when she gets on her skateboard, it reminds me of Heath,” she said. “I tell her about her daddy every time we see each other. I tell her little stories of him growing up and how he used to chase me with the cricket bat.”

She has a twin sister

Not only does Buckey have a twin sister, Scarlett, but the two are identical! Unlike Buckey, however, Scarlett is not in the public eye. Her Instagram account is private, though her bio says that she is a pharmacy student.

The twins inspired their mom to write a book called Twin Magic in 2013, which told the story of how a pair of siblings used their powers to get them out of trouble.

“I had the idea years ago, when I saw my girls and realized how magical the twin bond really is,” Kate told Perth Now in 2013.

She went on to add that while her daughters didn’t have magical powers, they did seem to share some twin telepathy.

"Their teacher tells me that even if Rorie and Scarlett aren’t sitting together, they’ll write the same things, or give the same answers,” Kate said. “The other day Rorie went to the nurse with a headache. Scarlett told me later she had one too but didn’t want to say anything because she didn’t want her teacher to think she was making it up."

She and Irwin were first rumored to be together in November 2022

Though they did not address the speculation at the time, Buckey and Irwin were first linked in November 2022 when photographs surfaced of them taking a stroll and grabbing burgers in Queensland, Australia, per The Daily Mail Australia.

Buckey’s father, Nathan, confirmed they were dating and said they “absolutely” had his seal of approval.

That December, they were seen at the Australia Zoo together on Irwin’s birthday, and in April 2023, they were spotted at the airport in Perth.

She and Irwin made their red carpet debut in July 2023

The couple kept their relationship private until they stepped out onto the Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One red carpet together in July 2023. Irwin wrapped his arm around Buckey as they posed for photos in matching black outfits.

She and Irwin went Instagram official in August 2023

Irwin confirmed their relationship in August 2023 when he posted a picture of the couple on his Instagram. Buckey followed suit, posting another picture of them on her account.

She and Irwin split in February 2024

Buckey and Irwin called it quits in February 2024 after more than a year of dating. The exes announced the sad news on Instagram.

“We wish to express the gratitude and respect we have for one another as we continue our journeys on different paths,” they said in a joint statement. "We won't be commenting further on this, and really appreciate your respect and privacy at this time."

Bindi says she is a "beautiful friend"

Irwin’s older sister, Bindi, grew close to Buckey during the former couple's relationship. In October 2023, she raved about Buckey in a sweet Instagram post.

“My brother’s gorgeous girlfriend, @roriebuckey - Sweetest soul, beautiful friend, I love her dearly and you’ll usually see Grace just following her around because she adores her,” Bindi wrote in the caption.

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