Robert Irwin has reduced all of us to an inconsolable mess after revealing one of the last messages his dad, Steve Irwin, left for him before his tragic passing back in 2006.
Rob made the confession during a recent appearance on the The Viall Files podcast, recalling a video in which Steve — who was killed by a stingray in the Great Barrier Reef — spoke of leaving a legacy for the Irwin family “years before he passed”.
“For me watching that, it’s like he gave me this gift — it’s there, it’s material, it’s in writing,” Robert said.
The beloved national treasure — who has been somewhat stolen by the US as he competes in their version of Dancing With The Stars — added that Steve’s video message about the family’s work in conservation felt particularly poignant after his death.
“I’m watching him looking through the camera and telling me ‘I’m not always gonna be here’,” Rob said, before getting choked up and fighting back tears.
He quickly regathered himself to reiterate his dad’s life-long mission for the Irwins, which was “creating something that you can continue and that’s what I want you to do”.
“That’s what I get to do now, and it fills me with a lot of pride,” Rob added, promptly sending all of us into a puddle.
It’s not the first time Rob has gotten emotional when discussing the legacy Steve left for himself, his sister Bindi Irwin and his mum, Terri.
During an episode of DWTS that aired this week, Rob dedicated a dance to Terri to the Phil Collins track “You’ll Be In My Heart” (brb, crying), and said during rehearsals that his mum is his “hero to me, because I was two when I lost dad”.
“As I got older, [I] started to realise just how hard it would have been for her to be there for us, and all the while continue dad’s legacy that her and dad built together,” Rob said while holding back his emotions.
He went on to smash it on the dance floor with a contemporary number that featured a cameo from Terri (making Australia proud!), and broke down in tears when hugging his mum after the performance.
Whether he’s hosting I’m A Celeb, fulfilling his heartthrob status with *that* campaign, or charming his way out of an accidental dine and dash, Rob has certainly left his mark on Aussie culture, and his dad (and basically every other Aussie) would be proud of that legacy!
Lead images: TikTok and Getty Images
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