Bindi Irwin Says Fiancé Chandler Powell Is So Much Like Her Dad

From Woman's Day

Bindi Irwin said ‘yes’ to longtime boyfriend Chandler Powell.

The daughter of the late The Crocodile Hunter star Steve Irwin took to social media to announce the engagement, which came on her 21st birthday. Irwin posted a pair of engagement photos, including one with a closeup of her stunning oval ring.

“On my birthday I said ‘yes’ & ‘forever’ to the love of my life,” the photo caption reads. “Chandler, close to 6 years ago I fell in love with you & every day since has been a whirlwind of adventure & true happiness. Here’s to a lifetime of friendship, purpose & unconditional love”

In an interview with People, Powell revealed that he had organized a photoshoot at the Australian Zoo, where the Irwin family lives and works, to celebrate Bindi’s birthday.

“Just before we started the shoot, I took her to a special part of Australia Zoo to ask the girl of my dreams to become my wife,” Powell told People. “These past five years together have been the best of my life and we look forward to a lifetime of magical moments to come.”

Bindi says she is thrilled to have found someone who shares so many of the same qualities as her late dad.

“He loves wildlife and conservation and he has this strength. Which is necessary when you’re jumping on crocs,” Bindi told People.

Irwin and Powell, a 22-year-old Florida native, met in 2013 while he was in Australia for a wake boarding competition, according to PEOPLE. During his trip, Powell stopped by the Australian Zoo, where he met Bindi. The two immediately hit it off.

Powell, who began professionally wake boarding at the age of 15, returned to Florida where he finished high school and attended the University of Central Florida, Country Living reported. Despite earning a number of wake boarding sponsorships, Powell stopped competing in 2016.

In 2018, he made a permanent move down under to live with the Irwin family at the Australia Zoo. He currently works at the zoo and is an active member of the Wildlife Warriors, a conservation program founded by the Irwins.

Bindi’s mother Terri Irwin shared her congratulations on Twitter and posted a photo of herself and Bindi’s brother Robert with the happy couple. Teri’s heartwarming message made a special mention of Bindi’s father, who died in 2006 from a stingray attack while filming a documentary on the Great Barrier Reef.

“Best day ever! Chandler asked and beautiful @BindiIrwin said yes. I am so very happy, and I know Steve would be too. Congratulations!!”

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