Terri Irwin just revealed the one major difference between her son Robert Irwin and his late father Steve Irwin.
While speaking to People at the annual Steve Irwin Gala on Saturday, May 2, Terri and Robert reflected on how “incredibly special” it has been to carry on The Crocodile Hunter star’s legacy together.
“Everything started so small,” Terri said of her husband transforming the Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park into the Australia Zoo in 1998. “It was two acres, it was a few animals, and it was no filming. And so to see where we’ve gone, and to have Steve embrace that, was so impressive.”
Every year, Terri, Robert, and his sisterBindi Irwin host the gala to fund conservation work in Steve’s memory.
“It was a lot of work, it was a lot of grief,” Terri said of her and Robert’s journey to where they are now. “There were times of great joy. And to be able to have shared that with him was incredibly special—and carry it on.”
“But I will say the one thing that Robert’s got that Steve didn’t—Steve never took his shirt off for wildlife,” she added.
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Along with appearing shirtless for performances on Dancing With The Stars, Robert went viral last year for an underwear campaign he did with Australian brand Bonds.
In response to his mother’s comment, Robert said he’s just been doing “whatever gets the job done.”
He also emphasized that his father, who died in 2006 after being attacked by a stingray, will always serve as his “greatest inspiration” in everything he does. Robert was only 2 years old at the time of Steve’s death.
“He would really exemplify what it is to give everything 100 percent,” Robert said. “And that’s what I take into everything I do. You know, if you have a passion, you really owe it to yourself to give it everything.”
“I think a night like tonight is the culmination of his passion, his love for conservation, but also the fact that family and fun that was the most important thing, too,” he continued. “I think he’ll always be my greatest role model in life, alongside my mom.”
RELATED: Robert Irwin Reveals If He’d Ever Be ‘The Bachelor’
Robert, who won the most recent season of DWTS, just wrapped up a guest appearance on the show’s tour alongside his professional partner Witney Carson on Thursday, Apr. 30.
Robert will also host the new spin-off series, Dancing With The Stars: The Next Pro, premiering July 13, 2026, on ABC and Hulu.
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This story was originally published by Parade on May 3, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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