Discover how long the couple dated before marriage, their 14 years together, and the love story that captivated millions before his 2006 death.
Steve and Terri Irwin shared a love story for the ages.
The “Crocodile Hunter” co-stars and wildlife conservationists tied the knot in 1992 and welcomed two children — Bindi Irwin, 27, and Robert Irwin, 21 — before Steve Irwin died tragically in 2006 at age 44 after being pierced in the chest by a stingray.
Terri Irwin, now 61, continued raising her children as a single mom. Over the years, she’s been candid about her decision to forgo dating after losing her husband, explaining to US Weekly in 2024 that she’d already had her “happily ever after.”
“I had the best marriage in the whole world for 14 years, and I’m very comfortable with the person I see in the mirror,” she told the publication. “So I’m OK to be on my own now. And I’m lonely for Steve, but I’m not a lonely person, so I’m very lucky.”
Here’s a look back at Steve and Terri Irwin’s relationship.
October 1991: Steve Irwin and Terri Irwin Meet
Steve Irwin met Terri Irwin (neé Raines), who was then an American living in Eugene, Oregon, in October 1991 at the Irwin family’s small wildlife park in Beerwah, Queensland, in Australia.
Their first meeting took place just two days after Steve Irwin took over management of the park from his parents who founded it, according to the family’s official website.
June 1992: The Couple Tie the Knot … and Plant the Seeds for ‘The Crocodile Hunter’
Less than a year after meeting, the lovebirds tied the knot on June 4, 1992, in Eugene, Oregon, the family website shares.
Rather than go on a honeymoon, the adventurous newlyweds opted to film a wildlife documentary “while relocating a problem crocodile in far north Queensland,” their website says.
The hit documentary inspired the couple’s international wildlife television series “The Crocodile Hunter,” which launched several TV spinoffs and the feature film “The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course.”
1998: The Couple’s Wildlife Park is Renamed the Australia Zoo
The couple decided to change the name of their growing wildlife park to the Australia Zoo to better reflect their shared dream of creating the world’s best zoo, one that emphasized Steve Irwin’s message of “Conservation Through Exciting Education,” according to their website.
The Irwin family runs the Australia Zoo to this day.
July 1988: The Couple Welcome Daughter Bindi
Steve and Terri Irwin became parents when their first child, daughter Bindi Irwin, was born on July 24, 1998.
Bindi Irwin, now 27 and the mother of a 4-year-old daughter (with husband Chandler Powell) followed in her parents’ professional footsteps and is now a conservationist and zookeeper at the Australia Zoo.
December 2003: They Welcome Their Son Robert
The couple expanded their family when they welcomed their son, Robert Irwin, on Dec. 1, 2003.
Robert Irwin, who is currently heating up the dance floor as a contestant on Season 34 of “Dancing With the Stars,” joined his mother and sister to work at the Australia Zoo.
September 2006: Steve Irwin Dies While Filming a Nature Documentary
Steve Irwin died tragically On Sept. 4 2006 at age 44 after a stingray attacked him while he was filming a nature documentary.
2016: Terri Irwin Reveals She Hasn’t Dated Since Her Husband Died
Terri Irwin revealed that she hadn’t dated anyone since her late husband’s death during a candid interview with Australian Women’s Weekly.
“I haven’t been on a single date since Steve died,” she told the publication.
“If I hadn’t met Steve, I probably would never have married because I wasn’t looking for love when I met him,” she added.
May 2024: Terri Irwin Says She’s Not Interested in Dating Again
In May 2024, nearly 18 years after her husband’s death, Terri Irwin told US Weekly she didn’t plan on ever looking for love again.
“I totally got my happily ever after,” she told US Weekly. “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 … but I got to go jump a crocodile and do that.’ Forget that.”
June 2025: Terri Irwin Marks Her 33rd Wedding Anniversary with Steve Irwin
Terri Irwin honored her late husband in June 2025 when she shared a photo from their wedding day on Instagram to mark their 33rd wedding anniversary.
“Today, 33 years ago, Steve and I were married in my grandmother’s church in Oregon. And it was the first day of my happily ever after,” she wrote in her caption.
“Every day I wake up with beautiful memories, so much love in my heart, and the promise of continuing his incredible legacy. I am truly blessed,” she added.
Bindi Irwin shared her love for her mother and father in the comments, writing, “The best parents and true soul mates. Love you both beyond description.”
