Getty Image / James D. Morgan
Robert Irwin, son of the late ‘Crocodile Hunter’ Steve Irwin, celebrated his 19th birthday this month.
Robert works at the Australian Zoo where he has followed in his father’s footsteps pursuing a life of animal conservation and awareness. And it’s at the Australian Zoo where Robert Irwin celebrated his 19th birthday alongside his mother, Terri Irwin.
Birthdays and holidays are often the most difficult days for people who have lost loved ones.
Irwin’s father Steve has been omnipresent in his life as Steve was a larger-than-life figure, a TV personality, and co-owner and operator of the Australia Zoo which was founded by his parents. So while Robert is greeted with daily reminders of his father’s legacy everywhere he looks his 19th birthday was made special thanks to a birthday message featuring his late father.
A video was posted to YouTube showing Robert Irwin receiving the surprise birthday message from his father Steve and being overcome with tears and emotion. The portion with Steve is at the 4:47 mark of the video if you want to jump ahead:
Steve’s dream has come true.
I cried. Big ugly tears. It wasn’t even seeing Steve Irwin talking about his son that led me to tears. It’s the chance to get to feel that lost bond one more time with a lost parent that binds together people who have lost a parent at a young age.
Robert Irwin continuing his father’s legacy and growing up to be an exceptional human being is the greatest gift his late father ever could’ve received, and those are Steve’s words, not mine. I cannot fathom the emotion Terri Irwin, Steve’s widow and Robert’s mother, feels each day seeing her kids grow up to spread the light that shined so bright in Steve Irwin.
The comments on YouTube reflect how much the world admires the job Terri Irwin did in raising Bindi and Robert. The top comment reads “Don’t think their mother gets enough credit for how well she has raised these kids especially with out their father. Well done.”
Another one of the top comments says “Robert is a perfect example of carrying a legacy. All because Steve has passed away doesn’t mean he’s gone and that’s thanks to his family. Robert’s carrying the torch now and doing a damn well job at it.”
The third most ‘liked’ comment reflects the feelings of many people who grew up watching The Crocodile Hunter. That person wrote “As a kid I didn’t watch cartoons, I was obsessed with animal planet, but not just animal planet but Steve Irwin, he was my childhood hero, I had 4 birthday party’s that were crocodile Hunter themed, I’d always say growing up that No matter what I’d go to Australia one day and meet him, When my mom told me the news of his passing I was so upset I didn’t go to school for days, he made such a good impact on all of our childhoods I’m sure, I wish nothing but the best for him and his family, got me tearing up just thinking about it.”
That family has touched countless lives across the globe.