Featured Image Credit: Instagraam @bindiirwin / Tsuni / USA / Alamy
Topics: Celebrity
Aisha Nozari
Just last month, Bindi Irwin tugged at the heartstrings of her 4.9 million Instagram followers when she shared a moving tribute to her late father.
Bindi’s dad, Steve Irwin, tragically passed away in 2006 after being attacked by a stingray while filming a documentary in the Great Barrier Reef.
Shortly after Steve’s death, his close friend and filmmaker, John Stainton, pointed out that Steve had died ‘doing what he loved’. And it turns out that Steve’s love for animals ran so deep that he even named his daughter Bindi after one of his favourite critters.
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The Australia Zoo - which is run by the Irwins - notes on its website: “Steve named her after one of his favourite crocodiles. ‘Bindi’ also means ‘young girl’ in some Indigenous Australian dialects.” How cool is that?
Back in September, Bindi marked the 16th anniversary of her beloved dad’s death by sharing sweet childhood photos and writing: “Grandpa Crocodile, I know you would’ve been the most incredible grandfather because you were such an extraordinary dad. Thank you for being an amazing guardian angel for Grace."
Bindi, 24, was referring to Grace Warrior Irwin Powell, the one-year-old daughter she shares with her husband, Chandler Powell.
Her 18-year-old brother Robert also shared a tribute to his late dad, writing: “It’s Father’s Day today in Australia, and I am sending my love to those who are missing their dad today.
"I cherish all the good times with my dad and feel grateful to be able to keep his memory and legacy alive."
Supporting her little brother, Bindi shared Robert's post on her own Instagram Story, writing: "Love you @robertirwinphotography Dad is so proud of you."
Back in May, Bindi revealed that her daughter Grace is ‘captivated’ by videos of her late granddad, telling PEOPLE: "We have so many documentaries of Dad, and we're always playing them for Grace.
"It's so fun to watch her study him. I didn't realise how much Dad's passion for life and his animated facial expressions - I mean, they captivate her."
She added: "I definitely see parts of [Dad] in Grace. His determination and his inability to sit still. I think that's really special. I'm excited to see as she grows up how her personality will develop. If Dad was around, honestly, we would never see her. He would be in love.
"He'd just have her doing everything with him. We would only see her if she needed a feed and then be gone again."