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“I learned so much from my dad; he taught me new things every day. I think the biggest message I learned from him, though, was to treat wildlife how you would like to be treated.” As the daughter of wildlife expert Steve Irwin, Bindi Irwin grew up in the public eye. However, it's through her own efforts that she's remained in the spotlight after her father’s tragic death.

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While Bindi Irwin got her start with appearances on Steve Irwin’s wildlife television show, The Crocodile Hunter, she has amassed a significant amount of success on her own, including everything from writing her own book series to winning Dancing With the Stars. Here’s a closer look at Bindi’s journey from Australian outback to Hollywood. 

An Unusual Childhood

Bindi Sue Irwin was born on July 24, 1998 in Buderim, Australia to Steve and Terri Irwin. Her father picked “Bindi” after one of his favorite female crocodiles; it’s also an Australian Aboriginal word that means “young girl.” Her middle name, meanwhile, honors a deceased beloved family dog. While these name choices may seem unusual, they make more sense when you consider Steve Irwin’s passion for nature and animals. Bindi is the older sister of Robert, who  joined the family in 2003. 

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Bindi was home-schooled, and spent her childhood at the Australian Zoo, which her parents ran. She made a first appearance on The Crocodile Hunter when she was just a few weeks old. 

While Bindi’s early years were idyllic, tragedy struck in 2006. When she was just eight, Bindi’s father died after being stung by a stingray on the Great Barrier Reef. At the time, he was filming for Bindi’s new wildlife television series, Bindi: The Jungle Girl, which was set to debut the following year. 

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Not only did that series continue as planned after the death of Steve Irwin, but Bindi also starred in the television documentary, My Daddy the Crocodile Hunter, that year. Bindi also appeared on a documentary series with her mom: Planet’s Best with Terri and Bindi. She was also favorite on the talk show circuit during her youth, appearing on programs like The Oprah Winfrey Show.

Looking back on her father’s death, Bindi says, “Some days you feel the grief more than others. What gets to me are those moments when I’d love him to be here to share what we’re doing. It could be when my brother [Robert Irwin] is receiving an accolade for his photography, or it might be at the end of the day when we’re having dinner and laughing. I’ll think: ‘I wish Dad was here for this.’ But he’s just not there.”

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Taking After Her Father

In addition to her documentary work, Bindi has also found success in acting with starring roles in the movies, Free Willy: Escape from Pirate’s Cove and Return to Nim’s Island. She received many awards for her work, including a Daytime Emmy award and the Young Conservationist of the Year award. 

She’s also a talented singer, and has released multiple albums, as well as a fitness enthusiast with two fitness videos on her resume: Bindi Kids Fitness with Steve Irwin and The Crocmen  (2006) and Bindi Kid Fitness Volume 2 Jungle Dance Party (2008). As if all of these accomplishments weren't enough, Bindi also authored The Bindi Wildlife Adventures Book Series. 

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Bindi skillfully navigated the transition from child star to adult celebrity. In 2013, she was a contestant on Australian Big Brother. Despite being eliminated from the show, she made a positive impression on her castmates.  Two years later, she participated in the 21st season of Dancing with the Stars, adding yet another talent to the growing list: dancer. She went on to take home the trophy with her partner Derek Hough, and was one of the show’s most popular stars despite her young age.  Bindi told Good Morning America of the experience, “This is completely different to anything I’ve ever done in my life, I’m used to wrangling crocodiles!” 

Currently, Bindi appears with her family members on the Animal Planet show Crikey! It's the Irwins, which educates viewers about conservation efforts and life at the Australia Zoo. 

Bindi recently made headlines when she got engaged to her longtime boyfriend Chandler Powell at the age of 21. In discussing her plans for the wedding, Bindi expressed the pivotal role her family members would play in the celebration. For starters, brother Robert will walk her down the aisle. Explained Bindi, "I'm always so grateful that Robert is there, and he has been such a big part of my life and he's always stepped up and been the one to give me a hug when I need it and encourage me forward in life. So he will definitely be the one to walk me down the aisle when the time comes, and I think that will make it really special."

Mom Terri, meanwhile, will have the honor of the first dance. "My mom and I are so close. She's my pillar of strength in life and I love her beyond description," said Bindi. 

Bindi also shared that she looked to her parents’ example when choosing a partner, prioritizing finding a feeling of comfort -- like a favorite pair of “old shoes” -- above all else. “It sounds really weird, but if you have your most comfortable pair of shoes, you can always count on them, you know, that they're always gonna hold up, and they'll walk you through life and they're dependable," she explained.

Also essential to Bindi? That her dad be included. In fact, Steve Irwin is influencing a major wedding planning detail. "The most important thing is getting married here at Australia Zoo because this is where I feel closest to Dad,” Bindi recently revealed. 

Bindi manages her celebrity and personal life all while remaining connected to her family’s causes. She celebrates her father’s memory every year with the observation of “Steve Irwin Day” every November 19th. She also helps care for many of the Australia Zoo’s animals, and has a special place in her heart for native shingleback skinks. 

Through it all, Bindi remains committed to carrying on her father’s legacy, and is known to support the charity her parents started in 2002, Wildlife Warriors Worldwide. Another cause near and dear to Bindi’s heart is the LGBTI community, and in 2018 she was selected for an “Ally of the Year” award in Australia.  “My dad, Steve Irwin, he was one man who changed the world. And if one man can make a difference, you can make a difference too," she says.