Bindi Irwin — daughter of The Crocodile Hunter legend Steve Irwin — celebrated her 26th birthday on Wednesday (July 24), and her younger brother Robert was there to help her celebrate.
Robert hopped on social media to share sweet throwback video of the day the two siblings first met: When Robert was born, and Bindi went to meet him in the hospital.
Steve Irwin features prominently in the clip. Before he takes then-five-year-old Bindi to the hospital, he explains to her that her mom, Terri, has just had a baby. “She’s had a little baby boy, and his name’s Robert Clarence Irwin, and he’s only that big,” he tells her, holding up his hands.
“Wow! I’m more excited than Mummy and you,” Bindi replies. “I can believe that,” her dad tells her, holding her hand as they walk over to the hospital.
A sweet meeting ensues, with Bindi cradling her baby brother gently in her lap as she asks questions about the new addition to the family. Though little Bindi is excited to get to know Robert, she’s got some suggestions when it comes to his name.
“I think by the way he is, I’ll call him Brian,” she says. “His name’s Robert,” her dad says, looking a little puzzled.
“But I’ll call him Brian for short,” Bindi shoots back with a smile.
“Happy birthday Bindi…love, Brian,” Robert, now 25, wrote in the caption of his throwback video.
Just under three years after this video was filmed, Steve Irwin died in 2006 after being pierced by a stingray while filming at Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. He was 44 years old.
In the years since his death, his wife Terri and his two children have continued his mission of advocacy for and publication education about wild animals, including crocodiles, snakes, sharks and more.
Additionally, Bindi Irwin has spoken publicly about her health battles. In spring 2023, she revealed that she’d undergone surgery to address her endometriosis — an often painful condition in which the tissue that normally lines the uterus grows on the fallopian tubes, ovaries, pelvic tissue or elsewhere, according to The Mayo Clinic.
Bindi and her husband Chandler Powell are also parents to three-year-old daughter Grace Warrior Irwin Powell, whose middle names are a tribute to Steve Irwin’s lasting legacy. Steve Irwin’s two children and his wife Terri are also the stars of TV series Crikey! It’s the Irwins, which aired its fourth season in 2022.
Carena Liptak is an Associate Editor and staff writer at Taste of Country. She specializes in breaking country music news, interviews and lists. In particular, she’s got a soft spot for sad songs — check out her roundup of the 50 Saddest Country Songs of All Time!
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Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes