Sophia Michaels
Bindi Irwin has been distant from her grandfather for quite some time
In June 2021, Bindi Irwin shared some startling insights regarding her grandfather, Bob Irwin, the conservationist whose dedication brought fame to their family. Unfortunately, their common love for wildlife did not mend the rift between them. A question from a follower on Facebook about why she celebrated only her father, husband, and father-in-law in a now-deleted post prompted her to reveal that Bob had distanced himself from her. She stated, “He has returned gifts I sent him after opening them, ignored my messages, and has overlooked me since I was a little girl.”
In addition to their estrangement, Bindi accused her grandfather of emotional abuse. “He has never given me a kind word directly. It pains me, but it’s unhealthy to be involved in an abusive relationship,” she indicated. In 2008, Bob cut ties with Australia Zoo, which he founded in the ’70s and is now managed by Steve Irwin’s widow, Terri. The circumstances surrounding their fallout after Steve’s passing remain unclear.
In defense of Bob, his biographer expressed disbelief at Bindi’s allegations, suggesting that this was not his perspective on their relationship. “Honestly, we haven’t shared the full details of Bindi’s comments with him, as we’re worried about how he’d react,” Amanda French stated on “The Latest” (via 7News). She emphasized that despite any friction with Terri, Bob always had affection for his grandchildren, noting, “He has pictures of them displayed in his hallway.”
