Robert Irwin shares unseen photos of late dad Steve to mark 21st birthday

Robert Irwin shared an unseen throwback photo of his late father, Steve, on his 21st birthday in February 1983. Photo / Composite, Instagram

Robert Irwin marked his 21st birthday in the most heartfelt way – by sharing throwback photos of his late father, Steve Irwin.

In a candid post shared on Instagram on Sunday, Robert said it was bittersweet celebrating life’s milestones without his dad, who died in 2006 when Robert was only 2.

To keep Steve’s memory alive and ensure he was part of the celebration, Robert shared two never-before-seen photos of the wildlife warrior when he turned 21 on February 22, 1983.

Robert was only 2 when his father, TV personality and animal activist Steve Irwin, died in 2006. Photo / Instagram

“Today I turn 21. I was looking through the archives a few days ago and I found these pictures of my dad on his 21st,” the conservationist and TV personality captioned the images.

“It can be hard to celebrate the milestones when there’s someone missing, but I will carry his memory and passion with me in this new chapter of life. I am one lucky guy to be surrounded by my amazing family today. Time to celebrate!”

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A post shared by Robert Irwin (@robertirwinphotography)

Robert was no doubt surrounded by family on his big day, with sister Bindi Irwin also publicly sending him well wishes on Instagram.

“HAPPY 21ST BIRTHDAY, @robertirwinphotography!” she wrote alongside a carousel of happy snaps of the pair from their childhood through to her wedding day in 2020 and beyond.

“Best brother, best uncle, best friend. Here’s to every incredible adventure on the horizon. Love you so much and beyond proud of you.”

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A post shared by Bindi Irwin (@bindisueirwin)

Their mother, Terri Irwin, also shared a sweet throwback home video of Robert that featured Steve role-playing as a bad guy in a western film.

“Happy 21st birthday @robertirwinphotography! Remembering all our fun family moments, and knowing your dad would be so proud of you. I love you, and I can’t wait for the adventures to come,” Terri captioned the video, which was filmed when Robert was just a toddler.

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A post shared by Terri Irwin (@terriirwincrikey)

Before his 21st birthday, Robert spoke to Stellar magazine about how challenging it was to mark the big day without his dad.

“It can be heartbreaking. I can’t beat around the bush. It’s really hard, particularly when it’s those milestones,” he said.

“It’s difficult navigating that without a father figure. But I have to really praise my entire family and particularly my mum, on the way in which she’s stepped up to make sure that – while there will always be part of myself missing and I’ll never be complete – I never felt like I missed out on anything.

“I hope that somewhere, somehow, he knows I’m trying to make him proud.”