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Need to know
- Robert Irwin says his father Steve Irwin, who died when Robert was 2, is generally in his life, as a superhero
- He says he learns something new about his father all the time and that he is part of each conversation
- Irwin adds that as he gets older he feels a closer connection to Steve and understands his driving better
Robert Irwin Can’t believe it has been 19 years since his father, the late crocodile owner Steve IrwinDied in an underwater accident at the age of 44, when Robert was only 2 years old.
“The passing of time is so wild how almost two decades since my dad went,” says Robert, 21, people in this week’s cover history. He says that as he gets older he learns more and more about his father and feels closer to him than ever.
“He’s still part of every day,” says Irwin. “He is part of every conversation. He is part of my life. And I feel like I get a small part of him back in some way, in every conversation I have about him, or some new story I hear about him, or in any new photo that I have not seen before.”
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Robert says he also feels lucky there are so many video films of his dad, thanks to his show The crocodile ownerwhich went in 1997-2004.
“I will often encounter archive films that I have not seen before,” Robert continues. “And suddenly his memory just starts flooding. So it’s strange that decades later, after losing someone when I was 2 years old, I have almost an even bigger picture of the person he was.”
Irwin adds that he also understands him even better.
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“When I start reaching the same kind of milestones as he did as a young bloc that grew up, I feel closer to him in a way,” says Robert. “I really do. My dad is like a superhero figure. He is like this one in general, just a superhero for me. And I am so grateful for that, because even though I didn’t have much time with my dad, I have a man who exemplifies everything I want to be in life. ”
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Robert says, just like his father, he is happiest in nature, saves and rehabilitates animals.
“No desk job for me,” he says with a laugh. “I would rather play with crocodiles all day. Or surf, parachute, skateboard, mountain bike, rock climbing … I think it’s the Irwin genetics. I was just born to be wild.”
“I think losing someone as important as him at such a young age strengthened the idea that life is fragile,” he shares. “We don’t know what tomorrow is holding, so you have to take calculated risks, you have to have fun, enjoy what you do and give everything 100 percent.”
He adds, “He is always in some way to guide me.”
He handles his next adventure with his family by his side as he competes in the ballroom at Dance with the stars.
“I have never tried it, I do not wear sequins, I am not in this world at all. So it is super new, and it is scary, but it is also fantastic,” he shares. “It’s an adrenaline rush. I feel I’m living for adrenaline. I’m not really living if I’m not on the edge just a little.”
He follows his sister in the footsteps, BindiWho won Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy 2015.
“I wanted to do this because I was inspired by my sister Bindi, who won Dance with the stars Ten years ago, he says. “I remember coming to every living tape to look at her and think,” one day I have to do this. ”
He can’t say how long he will last, but he is training hard with his partner Witney Carson. “I may not have the skills, but I have the passion!”
Dance with the stars Season 34 premieres Tuesday 16 September at. 20 ET on ABC and Simulcast on Disney+. The show flows the next day at Hulu.
