There are some people that leave their mark on the world in a way no one else can compare. And in 2006 the world mourned the loss of one of the world’s finest, Steve Irwin.
It’s been 12 years since the loss of the remarkable zookeeper everyone around the world loved for his fun, spunky personality. And although his passing came as a shock to the world at just the young age of 44, his wife Terri Irwin is speaking up to tell fans it wouldn’t have shocked him at all.
Recently, Terri sat with an Australian television series called “Anh’s Brush With Fame” and the interview took a turn when Terri emotionally revealed,
He never thought he’d have a long life. He always kind of had this sense his life would be cut short.
Unfortunately, Steve was right, when a sting ray approached him and pierced him in the chest with its barb in between takes while filming “Ocean’s Deadliest” in Queensland, Australia. Following the incident Terri was notified to call her zoo manager. Recalling the moment when she found out Terri states,
I just remember this incredible sense of responsibility, this feeling of overwhelming grief but ‘what do I do next? I kind of collected my thoughts and then had to go out to the car and tell Bindi and Robert … which was really hard.
Terri then tearfully recalls the last time she saw Steve. She, Bindi and Robert were flying to Tasmania while Steve stayed behind to film the documentary.
I remember him at the airstrip waving goodbye. That was the last time we saw him.
Once the news of his passing got out to the press Terri admits Steve himself would have been shocked by the amount of support he was shown.
No one would’ve been more surprised than Steve at the outpouring of grief and love.
Sadly he left behind his wife and two young children, who to this day are big wildlife enthusiasts just like their father. Despite the fame that Steve had over the years Terri says she always admired the fact that the fame never got to his head stating,
Famous wasn’t a word that occurred to Steve. I loved that about him, he was never pretentious, never big-noted himself, and we did put everything we made for wildlife and still do back into conservation, I’m really proud of that.
I think it’s safe to say that’s part of the reason why the world loved him so much and continues to remember his name. Thankfully, his loving children and wife continue to build on his incredible legacy. Rest in peace, Steve.