The image is burned into the collective memory of an entire generation: a blond, energetic man in khaki shorts, wrestling a crocodile or holding a deadly snake with a grin that said he was having the time of his life. Steve Irwin wasn't just a TV star. He was the "Crocodile Hunter," a force of nature who made us care about creatures that most people would rather run away from. But when the news broke on September 4, 2006, that Steve had passed away after a freak encounter with a stingray, the world didn't just mourn a celebrity. We worried about his family—his wife Terri, his daughter Bindi, and his tiny son, Robert.
So, how old was Robert Irwin when Steve Irwin died?
Robert was just two years old. Specifically, he was two years and nine months old, only a few months away from his third birthday.
It’s a heartbreakingly young age to lose a parent. At two, you’re just starting to form those first solid memories. You’re learning how the world works, and your dad is usually the largest-than-life superhero at the center of it. For Robert, that superhero was literal.
The Day Everything Changed at Batt Reef
To understand the impact, you have to look at the timeline. Robert was born on December 1, 2003. When his father died in September 2006, Robert was still basically a toddler. While his older sister, Bindi, was eight and already appearing on screen with her dad, Robert was mostly seen in the background or in his father’s arms.
Steve was at Batt Reef, near Port Douglas in Queensland, filming a documentary titled Ocean's Deadliest. Ironically, the weather was too rough for the main production, so Steve decided to go out and get some footage for Bindi’s show, Bindi the Jungle Girl. He came across a large bull stingray in chest-deep water. In a freak defensive reaction, the ray struck Steve hundreds of times in the chest with its tail barb. One of those strikes pierced his heart.
He was 44 years old.
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While the world was in shock, Terri Irwin had to figure out how to explain this to a three-year-old and an eight-year-old. It’s a heavy thought. Honestly, most of us can’t even imagine having to navigate that kind of public grief while holding a toddler who is asking where his dad went.
Growing Up in the Shadow of a Legend
Because Robert was so young, people often wonder if he actually remembers his father. Robert has been pretty open about this in interviews over the years. He’s mentioned that while he was only two, he has "flashes" of memories.
One story he tells often is about the mornings at Australia Zoo. Steve would load Robert and Bindi onto the front of his motorbike, and they’d ride around the zoo together. Robert remembers the feeling of the wind and the excitement of being with his dad before the gates opened to the public. He also remembers eating ice cream with Steve—a simple, normal dad moment in a life that was otherwise anything but normal.
The "Croc Dangle" Controversy
It's impossible to talk about Robert’s early years without mentioning the infamous incident that happened when he was only a month old. In January 2004, Steve held baby Robert in one arm while feeding a carcass to a 13-foot saltwater crocodile with the other.
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The media went absolutely nuclear. People compared him to Michael Jackson dangling his baby over a balcony. But Steve was defiant. He insisted Robert was never in danger and that he wanted his son to be "croc-savvy" from day one. Looking back, it’s clear Steve wanted to pass everything he knew down to Robert as fast as possible. Maybe he had a sense his time was short.
Turning Two into a Lifetime Legacy
Living your life as "Steve Irwin’s son" could be a massive burden. You’d think a kid who lost his dad at two might want to distance himself from the thing that killed him—or at least the industry that took his father away for weeks at a time.
But Robert did the opposite.
By the time he was eight—the same age Bindi was when Steve died—Robert was already feeding freshwater crocodiles under supervision. He was homeschooled right there at Australia Zoo, which meant his "classroom" was basically a wildlife sanctuary.
- Photography: Robert found his own lane through the lens. He’s become an award-winning wildlife photographer, using his platform to show the beauty of the animals his dad fought for.
- Television: From Crikey! It's the Irwins to co-hosting I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, he has the same manic, infectious energy that Steve had.
- Conservation: He’s now a Global Ambassador for the Earthshot Prize, rubbing shoulders with Prince William to talk about climate change and habitat loss.
What It’s Like Now
Robert recently turned 21. It was a huge milestone that felt bittersweet for fans who remember him as that little boy at the funeral in 2006. He posted a video reflecting on the fact that he’s now spent nearly 19 years without his dad.
He drives his dad’s old "ute" (utility vehicle). He wears the same khaki uniform. He even looks almost exactly like a younger version of Steve. But there’s a maturity there that comes from growing up fast. When you lose a parent at two, you spend your life getting to know them through stories, old video tapes, and the memories of others. Robert has essentially "met" his father through the archives of The Crocodile Hunter.
Actionable Takeaways: What We Can Learn from Robert’s Journey
If you're looking for the "why" behind Robert Irwin's story, it's not just about the tragedy. It's about how a family handles a legacy.
- Legacy isn't about copying; it's about evolving. Robert doesn't just "do" what Steve did. He took the foundation (conservation) and added his own skills (photography and modern media) to make it relevant for 2026.
- Preserving memories matters. The Irwin family is famous for their "archives." If you have young children, document the small things. Robert relies on those videos to feel connected to a man he barely knew.
- Grief doesn't have a shelf life. Even nearly 20 years later, Robert speaks about the "hole" left by his father. It’s okay for loss to stay with you; it's about how you carry it.
Robert was just a baby when the world lost Steve Irwin. But today, he’s the one making sure we don't forget why we loved the Crocodile Hunter in the first place. He’s a reminder that even when a father is gone, his influence can stay 100% alive if the next generation chooses to pick up the torch.
If you want to support the work Steve started, you can look into the Wildlife Warriors foundation. It’s the non-profit Steve and Terri started back in 2002, and it’s still the primary way the family funds wildlife hospitals and conservation projects globally. You can also visit Australia Zoo in Queensland, which remains the "home base" for everything the Irwins do. Watching Robert feed a croc in the Crocoseum today is probably the closest any of us will get to seeing Steve in action again.