It’s hard to believe that it’s been almost 19 years since wildlife warrior Steve Irwin died.
Australia’s internationally renowned Crocodile Hunter left millions of fans around the world mourning after his heart was pierced by a stingray barb.
Love at first sight
Despite such a tragic loss his family have never stopped working to keep his heroic animal legacy alive and all share his passion for animal conservation.
His wife Terri was only 42 years old when she lost her husband and there has been speculation as to whether she would find love again. Steve and Terri Irwin were married for 14 years, having first met in 1991 when Steve was working at what was then the Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park — now known as Australia Zoo.
Steve once shared on his show that the moment he saw Terri watching one of his crocodile demonstrations, he instantly knew she was the one. He called it “love at first sight.”
The couple went on to have two children, Bindi (now 26) and Robert (21), who both followed in their parents’ footsteps. Like their dad, they’ve become passionate zookeepers, wildlife conservationists, and television personalities.
Terri Irwin is 60 now, and after all these years, she still hasn’t felt the urge to date again since losing Steve — the love of her life. In fact, she’s been open about it time and time again.
In an interview with Stellar Magazine in April 2025, Terri confirmed she’s still single and content.
“I’m sure there’s a lot of lovely people out there in the world, but I did find my happily ever after, and I think I still have a lot of love in my life,” she shared.
And just when you thought she couldn’t be more honest, she offered up another refreshingly real reason why she’s not looking to date again.
”So I’m lonely”
“And while there are a lot of wonderful men in the world, can you see another Steve Irwin? I just can’t. I’d be like, ‘I love that you’re a librarian and the Dewey Decimal System is cool, but I got to go jump a crocodile and do that.’ Forget that,” she said.
Terri went on to explain, “So I’m lonely for Steve, but I’m not lonely. I never mourn being on my own and not being in a relationship. I think we need to say that.”
She also had a powerful message for women everywhere: “I think women are still amazing, fulfilled, incredible people – even if you never marry, if you have four kids, or two kids, or no kids. There are no rules.”
And when speaking about her daughter Bindi, now a mom herself, Terri couldn’t help but gush: “Bindi is a ‘way better mother’ than she ever was. I say that with sincere admiration.”
The Russell Crow rumor
For years, Terri Irwin has stayed strong in her message: she’s not interested in dating anyone else. But that hasn’t stopped the rumor mill from spinning—especially when it comes to one name in particular: Russell Crowe, 61.
Russell Crowe once added fuel to the dating rumors when he couldn’t help but gush over Terri Irwin in an interview, sparking even more speculation about their close bond.
“Terri is one of the greatest women I’ve ever met in my life, without there being implication of intimacy or whatever,” he said. “You know I do love Terri Irwin, I love her kids and I love how she’s kept the memory of Steve alive, and respected the work that the two of them had begun and she’s an absolute champion.
Despite public speculation, Terri has made it crystal clear that the Oscar-winning Aussie actor is just a close family friend. In a past Access Hollywood interview, Terri addressed the whispers head-on, saying:
“In all honesty, he and Steve became friends many years ago, and after Steve passed, you find out who your true friends are. And Russell has been very loyal as a great friend.”
The Gladiator star, who once helped the Irwin family protect the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve in Queensland, has remained close to the family for years. But Terri’s love life? That’s off the table — because her heart still belongs to Steve.
“Just because I feel a connection still with Steve,” she explained during the same interview. “I really don’t think I would have married if I hadn’t met Steve. And he’s very special to me and continues to be.”
Even her daughter Bindi chimed in during the segment, reinforcing what fans have long suspected — that Steve was it for Terri.
“Honestly, all I want in life is mom’s happiness. What people sometimes forget is that when you find your soul mate, if you’ve found that soul mate, you really don’t want to move on,” Bindi said.
Linked to King Charles
“So mom had her soul mate, and mom and dad will always be married and will always be together. I think that’s a beautiful thing.”
Still, the Russell rumors persisted for years — so much so that Terri playfully addressed them again in a surprise appearance on The Kyle and Jackie O Show while her son Robert Irwin was doing press for I’m A Celebrity.
When asked if she and Russell had ever been romantically involved, Terri laughed:
“Have we been linked? I can’t remember.”
Radio host Kyle Sandilands went all in, bluntly asking, “Who are you having sex with?”
Terri’s response?
“I have a lot of quiet evenings with a nice, big, juicy pizza.”
Classic Terri.
Russell Crowe, by the way, is currently engaged to Britney Theriot.
And according to Robert, the gossip hasn’t let up:
“Mom has been linked to something like 30 people. “I mean, it was King Charles, it was Russell, it was everyone,” he joked.
But the truth is much simpler — and far more touching. Terri Irwin had her one great love. And in her words and actions, it’s clear: she’s still holding onto it. ❤️
