Life After Steve: Terri Irwin’s Biggest Fears for Her Kids

Let’s talk about courage, family, and the legacy of the late Steve Irwin. It’s been over 16 years since the world lost one of its most beloved conservationists to a tragic accident involving a stingray. But for Terri Irwin, the pain of that loss is still very much a part of her life. In a candid interview with The Australian Women’s Weekly on January 24, 2019, Terri opened up about her fears—and they’re not what you might expect.

When her son Robert dives into the ocean to swim with sea creatures, Terri doesn’t worry about sharks or stingrays. Instead, she’s more concerned about something far simpler but just as dangerous: drowning. “I’m more worried about Robert drowning than encountering a shark or a manta ray in the water,” Terri admitted. This revelation sheds light on how deeply the loss of her husband has affected her perspective on life and safety. Steve Irwin, at just 44 years old, was taken too soon, and his untimely death has left an indelible mark on his family.

Walking the Line Between Freedom and Protection

Terri wants nothing more than for her children—Robert, now 15, and Bindi, 20—to live adventurous lives filled with exploration and discovery. After all, that’s the legacy Steve left behind. But as any parent can understand, there’s a fine line between giving your kids the freedom to chase their dreams and protecting them from harm. Terri confessed that she struggles with this balance daily.

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“When you lose someone who is the strongest member of your family, you think that those who are still here must be more vulnerable in some way,” Terri explained. “That you have to be extra careful.” She’s taken steps to ensure she stays healthy so she can continue being a pillar of strength for her children. “I spend a lot of time looking after myself. I run and exercise because I don’t want to leave my kids,” she said. Coming from someone like Terri, who runs the Australia Zoo in Beerwah, Queensland, these words carry a lot of weight. It’s especially meaningful considering that Terri and Steve once considered not having children at all.

A Change of Heart: The Decision to Have Children

In a past interview with People magazine, Terri revealed the surprising truth about her and Steve’s initial thoughts on starting a family. “When we got married, Steve said, ‘I’m just an action man. I don’t know how we would ever have kids,’” she recalled. At the time, Terri wasn’t particularly eager either. But after nearly six years of marriage, Steve had a change of heart. One evening, he burst through the door with a revelation: “We’ve got to have children! Who do we leave all this to? Who will carry it on?”

Terri wasn’t immediately convinced. “Just because you have kids doesn’t mean they’re going to want to do what you do,” she pointed out. But Steve was certain. “Oh, they will. They definitely will,” he insisted. And as it turns out, he was right. Both Bindi and Robert have embraced their father’s passion for wildlife conservation, continuing his work in their own unique ways.