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Terri Irwin candidly reflects on her marriage to the late Steve Irwin

“My life is very full and very rich, [but] every day I wish Steve was here…”

Even 20 years after Steve Irwin’s death, Terri continues to keep their love and his memory alive.

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In early March, Terri spoke about grief with Angela Bishop in a special segment airing on 10 News. The journalist also lost her husband in 2017.

“Sometimes you have to search for something, and it’s hard, but we worked at it,” Terri says, breaking into tears. “And we’re both in the same club.”

terri and steve irwin

This isn’t the first time Terri has candidly spoken about her late husband.

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“I think the best part [of our marriage] was just the fun and the adventure. Literally every day, I didn’t know what it was going to hold,” Terri told US Weekly in May 2025. 

“Steve was probably the most spontaneous person. Everyone says live every day to its fullest, but we never quite do that every day. And Steve really, really did,” she continued. 

Terri went on to say that while she considers herself “lucky” she does miss Steve. 

“I have my wonderful kids. I’m a grandmother now, and I have such a great team around me… My life is very full and very rich, and every day I wish Steve were here, but I’m so lucky.”

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How did Terri Irwin and Steve Irwin meet? 

Terri Irwin, née Raines, met Steve Irwin in 1991 during a trip to Australia. 

The American attended one of Steve’s wildlife demonstrations at the Australia Zoo (then called the Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park) and the two felt an instant connection. 

Steve recalled how he and Terri first met in an episode of Crocodile Hunter and said: 

terri and steve irwin
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“When I saw Terri in the crowd, I looked up and our eyes met. And my heart just went ‘bang, bang, bang, bang,’ just started thumping.

“It was love at first sight.

“I know this sounds like it’s coming out of some Mills and Boon love novel, but it’s true!” 

the couple with their daughter bindi
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When did they get married? 

Terri and Steve Irwin were married on June 4, 1992, in Eugene, Oregon – Terri’s hometown. 

Shortly after their wedding, they returned to Australia and began working together at the zoo Steve’s parents had founded. 

Their honeymoon became the start of the Crocodile Hunter franchise, as they filmed crocodile relocations for what would eventually become a globally successful wildlife documentary series.

On July 24, 1998, Terri and Steve welcomed their daughter Bindi into the world. 

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And on December 1, 2003, they welcomed their son Robert

What does Terri Irwin do now? 

After Steve’s untimely death – he was fatally stung by a stingray on September 4, 2006 – Terri became the sole owner and operator of Australia Zoo 

Today, she continues to run the zoo to preserve Steve’s legacy. 

Terri also oversees numerous wildlife protection programs and environmental initiatives through Wildlife Warriors, a charity she and Steve co-founded in 2002.

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On World Wildlife Day 2026, Terri posted a video to her Instagram, narrated by her son Robert Irwin and their mission and what they have achieved thus far. Watch below:

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