Bindi Irwin is marking the 20th anniversary of her father Steve Irwin’s death with a heartfelt post.
Sharing a photo of the Crocodile Hunter and herself as a child via her Instagram Story, Bindi, 28, wrote a lengthy caption alongside it to remember her dad.
“20 years ago today, the world lost the most passionate and dedicated wildlife conservationist. Our family lost our superhero,” she wrote. “My mum lost the love of her life; my brother and I lost the greatest dad. Grief never truly leaves us, we walk alongside it everyday. Where there is enormous grief, there is even greater love.”
Bindi went on to reflect on the decades that have passed since Steve’s death and the legacy he left behind.
“In the last 20 years, I have watched the world mourn my dad with our family. I always thought my dad’s legacy is wildlife conservation; it turns out, his legacy is love. For our planet and for each other,” she continued.
Bindi welcomed daughter Grace Warrior with her husband Chandler Powell in March 2021 and she shared how her child connects with Steve despite him no longer being around.
“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 wrote. “My dad left a lasting impact so poignant that it will ripple out for generations to come. 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. And that is a life and legacy worth celebrating.”
Bindi signed off the post by addressing her late father directly.
“Dad,I love you with my whole heart. Thank you for being our guardian angel,” she wrote. “And most of all, thank you for watching over my daughter now, too. She loves you so much. We all do.”
For his part, Bindi’s brother, Robert Irwin, shared his own tribute via Instagram, posting a throwback photo of his dad and himself as child.
“Your legacy is forever,” Robert, 22, simply captioned the snap.
Steve died at age 44 after being pierced by a stingray barb in September 2006. He was survived by his children Bindi and Robert and his wife, Terri Irwin.
Although Bindi and Robert were only 8 and 2 at the time of their father’s passing, they’ve grown to carry on his legacy. Today, the family continues to run the Australia Zoo, which Steve’s parents started in the 1970s.
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