“Crikey! It’s the Irwins” star Bindi Irwin lost her father, wildlife conservationist Steve Irwin when she was just eight years old.
The 44-year-old passed away in 2006 after sustaining injuries from a stingray. And it’s been a difficult healing process for the 20-year-old.
Earlier this year, Bindi said his passing was difficult for her to handle even though it has been more than a decade. She said:
“I remember people coming up to me and saying, ‘I’m sorry for your loss, sweetheart. Time heals all wounds.’ But that’s just not true. It’s like losing a part of your heart, and when you’ve lost that, you never get it back.”
However, the wildlife star keeps the memory of her father alive by watching old videos, she said on Instagram this week.
Bindi posted a throwback video of her father watching her mother, Terri, give birth to her.
In the clip, Steve said he had no interest in being a father — until he saw Bindi. The dad said:
“You know what? I never wanted to be a dad. I couldn’t really give a rip. And now I am the proudest father, I’ve got to tell you.”
Bindi wrote that she becomes emotional every time she watches the interview, which was filmed three years before his death. She said:
Every time I watch this clip my heart overflows with emotion.
The television star added:
The people that we love are always with us. Love lives on no matter what and I think that is the most beautiful thing about our existence.??? Thank you, Dad, this moment captured on camera made my whole life. I love you so much.
Bindi and her brother, 14-year-old Robert, have followed in their dad’s footsteps and are now running the Australia Zoo alongside their mom.
Though he’s no longer with the family, it seems they’ll always work to honor his memory.