Steve Irwin‘s loved ones are honoring him on the 20th anniversary of his death.
Steve’s wife, Terri Irwin, and his kids, Robert and Bindi Irwin, took to social media on Friday, September 4, to reflect on his legacy.
“After 20 years, grief still walks with me like my shadow. With the passing of time I have gained more perspective and understanding,” Terri, 62, wrote via Instagram. “We were together as a family, on our crocodile research expedition, for what was to be our final six weeks together.”
Terri recalled her and Steve’s “long and sweet goodbye,” adding, “Steve spent time with Bindi and Robert building swings and climbing trees. We all slowed down. Time slowed down.”
She continued: “I believe that all of us, every one of us, gets to say goodbye. We just may not know that we’re saying it. Hold every moment dear with the ones you love. Until we meet again.❤️ Terri.”
In his own post, Robert, 22, issued a message about how “legacy is forever.”
“Thank you Dad, for showing me and the entire world what it is to truly live,” he added. “To lead with empathy, to treat every living being how you’d wish to be treated, and to be passionate in everything you do. Your mission and light lives on always.”
Bindi, 28, meanwhile, shared a video of her father discussing the birth of his first child.
“The most incredible wildlife encounter of my life was the birth of my daughter Bindi,” Steve said in the interview. “I am the proudest father on the face of the earth, no doubt.”
Bindi elaborated on how her family has weathered their grief over the years.
“20 years ago, today, the world lost the most passionate and dedicated wildlife conservationist. Our family lost our superhero. My mum lost the love of her life; my brother and I lost the greatest dad,” she wrote. “Grief never truly leaves us; we walk alongside it every day. Where there is enormous grief, there is even greater love.”
After becoming a mother to her now-5-year-old daughter, Grace, Bindi noted that she has gained a new perspective.
“I always thought that my dad’s legacy is wildlife conservation; it turns out, his legacy is love,” she wrote. “For our planet and for each other.”
She continued: “I have a 5-year-old daughter who watches his documentaries every morning. She feels utterly loved by her ‘grandpa crocodile’ without ever having met him.”
Bindi honored the work her father got to do before his death, writing, “My dad left a lasting impact so poignant that it will ripple out for generations to come,” she continued. “I believe with my whole heart that his love will live on forever. In all of us. In every kindness we show to the Earth.”
She concluded: “Dad, I love you with my whole heart. Thank you for being our guardian angel. And most of all, thank you for watching over my daughter now, too. She loves you so much. We all do.”
Steve became known as the host of The Crocodile Hunter, which premiered in 1996. A decade later, Steve died at age 44 after a stingray pierced his chest while he was filming the documentary Ocean’s Deadliest off the coast of Australia.
