DWTS’ Robert Irwin Reveals “Good Luck Charms” From Dad Steve Irwin

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Robert Irwin has the perfect way of keeping his dad close.

Ahead of the Dancing With the Stars semifinals on November 18th, 21-year-old Robert Irwin shared the two special items he carries with him during every performance to remember his father, Steve Irwin, who passed away in 2006. He wears a button-down shirt he fixed himself, and a ring he made from the keys to his childhood home, which he discovered in his father’s office.

He explained in a video on November 17th that the shirt and ring help him feel connected to what he values most. He was wearing both items in the video. Regarding the mended shirt, he shared, “I love that it still reminds me of him. The holes, tears, and missing buttons all have a story to tell.”

The environmental advocate explained his Tuesday routine: he always starts by putting on a specific shirt, which he wears to the Dancing With the Stars studio and during his initial rehearsals before changing into his costume.

He shared that before every costumed performance of the dance, he always performs it once wearing his dad’s shirt. He explained that wearing the shirt helps him feel connected to his father and home, describing it as feeling like a warm hug each time he puts it on.

The ring is engraved with the phone number of Australia Zoo, which is also the home of Steve Irwin and his family, located at 1638 Steve Irwin Way.

Robert described being on Dancing With the Stars as “the most beautiful experience.” He’s been able to honor his father throughout the season and wants to include him in this journey. He feels the experience has profoundly changed his life, and he knows he wouldn’t be where he is today without his father’s influence and the continuation of his legacy.

He expressed his gratitude for reaching the final stage of his journey, emphasizing that this meant a great deal to him. He explained he was driven by a deep passion for animal conservation – a cause he inherited from his parents, whose work he was proud to continue.

Terri Irwin, his mother, expressed immense pride. She commented on his post, saying it was a deeply special and meaningful gesture, and that his father would have been thrilled. She also shared how much his father loved him and praised his use of his father’s keys.

Throughout his time on Dancing With the Stars, Robert has celebrated his father’s memory. He also made a special tribute to his mother, Terri, during the show’s “Dedication Night” on October 14th. Robert and his dance partner, Witney Carson, performed a dance to Phil Collins’ song “You’ll Be in My Heart” in her honor.

The dance, which saw Terri join her son in the end, left Robert in tears.

Robert explained after his performance that his mother is a hero to him. He lost his father when he was just two years old, and as he grew up, he began to understand how difficult it was for her to raise him and his siblings while also continuing the work and legacy she and his father had created together.

He became emotional, explaining he’s always struggled to express how thankful he is.

He explained that whenever he really wished his father could be present for important moments, his mother always stepped up. And for him, that was all he needed.

For more on the Irwin family and their close bonds, read on. 

For Steve Irwin, being the Crocodile Hunter wasn’t just a job—it was his calling. He grew up immersed in wildlife, helping his herpetologist father, Bob Irwin, and wildlife rehabilitator mother, Lyn Irwin, with expeditions and at their reptile park in Queensland, Australia. He even worked with the government to capture and move crocodiles to keep the public safe and help conservation efforts.

In 1991, Steve took over the family reptile park, and there he met his future wife, Terri Irwin, who was visiting from Oregon. They married in 1992 and began filming the popular documentary series, The Crocodile Hunter. Together, Steve and Terri expanded the park into the Australia Zoo, and they had two children, Bindi and Robert, continuing their mission to educate people about conservation.

Sadly, Steve passed away on September 4, 2006, at the age of 44, after being injured by a stingray barb while filming in the Great Barrier Reef. But his dedication to wildlife and his family continues to inspire. He once said that his proudest achievement was his children.

Like her husband Steve, Terri Irwin grew up with a passion for animals, gaining experience at a vet hospital and wildlife rescue before they met. She believes their meeting was meant to be, telling Oprah Winfrey that they both weren’t afraid to take chances. She recalls Steve asking her to marry him and move to Australia to work with crocodiles, a bold move she happily accepted because of her strong feelings for him.

After Steve’s passing, Terri continued his legacy by running Australia Zoo, leading the Wildlife Warriors conservation organization, and furthering conservation work. She also shared her memories in the 2007 book My Steve, became an Australian citizen in 2009, and starred in the show Crikey! It’s the Irwins with her children from 2018 to 2022.

In a 2025 interview with Us Weekly, Terri described her life as full and rewarding, expressing how much she misses Steve but also how grateful she is for everything.

Bindi Irwin, born in July 1998, has been in the public eye since she was a child. She first appeared on TV in The Crocodile Hunter and went on to star in Bindi: The Jungle Girl and Crikey! It’s the Irwins. In 2015, she won Dancing With the Stars.

Like her parents, Bindi is dedicated to wildlife conservation. She’s also a published author, writing the children’s book You Are a Wildlife Warrior!: Saving Animals & the Planet, and openly shares her experiences with endometriosis to support others.

Bindi married Chandler Powell in 2020, and in 2021, they welcomed their daughter, Grace Warrior Irwin Powell.

Many remember Bindi’s moving speech at her father’s funeral when she was just eight years old, and she continues to honor his legacy. She recently shared on Instagram, “To the world, you will forever be remembered as the greatest Wildlife Warrior. To me, you’ll always be the most incredible dad and now our family’s guiding light. I love you and I miss you every day.”

Born five years after his sister Bindi, Robert Irwin arrived in December 2003 and quickly followed in his family’s footsteps, using television to educate people about the natural world. He’s appeared on shows like Wild But True and Crikey! It’s the Irwins, and has also hosted I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!. Beyond TV, Robert has worked as a model and is currently a contestant on Dancing With the Stars. He’s also a talented wildlife photographer who enjoys working behind the camera.

Robert remains actively involved with the Australia Zoo, continuing the conservation work his father, Steve Irwin, was so passionate about. In a 2024 interview with BBC Radio 2, he shared, “He is my superhero. He always will be. He was I think a superhero to an entire generation. There is not a day goes by where someone doesn’t share a story about him. To hear that, it really means the absolute world. It’s an honor. It really is an honor to make sure everything he lived and died for continues.”

Bindi Irwin’s love story mirrors her parents’. Just as Steve met Terri while she was visiting the Australia Zoo as a tourist, Bindi met her husband, Chandler Powell, at the same location.

It happened in 2013 when Chandler, a professional wakeboarder at the time, was in Australia for a competition. He took a tour of the zoo led by Bindi, and they instantly connected. As Chandler shared in a 2024 podcast, they ‘hit it off right away’ and felt an immediate connection.

Being teenagers, Chandler respectfully asked Bindi’s mom for permission to pursue a relationship. Bindi later revealed to Entertainment Tonight in 2016 that she didn’t hear from Chandler for a while because he had sent a letter requesting to stay in touch.

Years later, in 2020, the couple returned to the Australia Zoo to get married. Bindi celebrated their union on Instagram in May 2025, declaring that marrying your best friend is ’10/10 would recommend’.

Grace was born in March 2021 and, like her parents, quickly developed a passion for animals. However, her mom, Bindi, isn’t quite ready to let her near the crocodiles just yet.

Bindi Irwin says her daughter, Grace, won’t be helping with the crocodiles anytime soon. Speaking to TODAY.com in February 2025, she explained that when Grace turns 18 and if she wants to participate, that’s fine, but it’s not appropriate for her age right now. Bindi prioritizes Grace’s safety and understanding of wildlife, ensuring she’s prepared for any animal encounter. Grace currently loves koalas, tortoises, giraffes, and red pandas, and Bindi feels comfortable with those interactions.

Grace also knows about her grandfather, Steve Irwin. In an interview with Us Weekly in May 2024, Bindi shared that she wants Grace to know her ‘Grandpa Crocodile’ and it’s wonderful to see her enjoying documentaries about him.

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2025-11-18 21:20