The world lost one of its most beloved conservationists and TV personalities in 2006, after Steve Irwin, the iconic star of The Crocodile Hunter, was tragically killed by a stingray.
But his legacy has lived on, both through the fans who grew up watching his wildlife series, and his family, who has kept up his important conservation work at the Australia Zoo, working to protect native wildlife. His children Bindi and Robert have followed in his footsteps as animal conservationists and media personalities.
Bindi gave birth to her first child, a girl named Grace Warrior Irwin Powell, in 2021, passing down her family’s love for animals to a new generation. In a new interview, Bindi revealed how her daughter pays tribute to Steve Irwin’s memory.
While Steve Irwin tragically never got to see his granddaughter, baby Grace carries on his legacy in a big way. Her middle name, “Warrior,” was given in honor of the Wildlife Warriors foundation Steve and his wife Terri founded in 2002.
“My dad first came up with the term ‘Wildlife Warrior’ many years ago,” Bindi said in a recent interview with Hello! Magazine. “He wrote it in big letters and stuck it up on his desk. It perfectly describes our family, our mission and who we are at the very core.”
Bindi revealed she did not initially know what to name her daughter, but as soon as she held her in her arms the name came to her.
“When Grace was born my first words as I held her in my arms were that she’s our ‘graceful warrior,'” Bindi said. “Chandler and I immediately knew that should be her name. The name Grace Warrior suits our daughter perfectly and feels like the perfect way to honour the greatest Wildlife Warrior to have ever lived, my dad.”
She also opened up on her father’s legacy 16 years after his tragic passing.
“It’s hard to believe it’s been over 16 years since he passed away,” Bindi told Hello!. “In some ways, it still feels like yesterday that we were on our last crocodile research trip together as a family. I know in my heart that his love and enthusiasm will live on and that brings me great comfort.”
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Grace is now two years old, and even as a baby she seems to have inherited her family’s way with animals.
“Grace already loves animals so much that it’s easy to share the wonder of animals together,” Bindi said. “I’m excited knowing that as she gets older we will be able to impart little gems of information about each animal she meets.”
“I think she’s got that determination that Steve had and that connection with wildlife,” Terri Irwin, Steve’s widow and Bindi’s mother, told Entertainment Tonight last year. “Because it is weird to see animals just gravitate to her.”
“So she’ll go out in the morning in the stroller, and all the kangaroos just gather around her like they’re having a meeting.”
She says that the baby is always reaching out to pet the animals, even ones that are a little too dangerous to interact with yet — a fearlessness she shares with her late grandfather. “That’s Steve all over,” Terri said.
While Grace bears some resemblance to her famous mom and grandpa, Bindi says she hopes her daughter will follow her own heart and not feel any pressure to follow in her footsteps as a conservationist.
“My hope is that our daughter will follow her heart in life and pursue a path that brings her fulfilment and happiness,” Bindi told Hello!. “No matter what she decides to do, I want her to know that I’ll always be cheering for her and will be there if she needs a shoulder to lean on.”
We still miss Steve Irwin, but we’re glad his family is doing so great and keeping his memory alive, including through Bindi’s adorable daughter.
Please share this story if you love the Irwin family!
READ MORE:
Bindi Irwin’s daughter Grace celebrates 1st birthday with animals and a tribute to Steve
Bindi Irwin’s daughter Grace meets a wallaby and just wants to give it a hug
Robert Irwin reveals ‘special connection’ he has with late dad Steve: ‘very lucky I get to follow in those footsteps’
