A heartbroken Bindi Irwin has revealed grandfather Bob hasn’t tried to rekindle the relationship with herself and brother Robert, following claims the 79-year-old wanted to reach out to the family.
Speaking exclusively with Daily Mail Australia, the 19-year-old gave an emotional insight into the broken relationship, which was severed after the death of her father Steve in 2006.
For the past decade, the grandfather has kept his distance from Steve’s widow Terri and his grandchildren, due to an apparent rift with his daughter-in-law.
Now Bindi has provided details on the tragic relationship that she and Robert, 14, have realised will not be mended any time soon.
“Until I lost my dad, I did not understand that loss will evoke both the best and worst from people you care about. Sadly, this happened with my poppy,” the bright young woman said.
Trying to reach out to her grandfather for many years, Bindi said it was heartbreaking to learn that Bob didn’t want anything to do with her following the death of his son.
“I remember, when I was still quite young, receiving a parcel in the mail from him. I opened it with great joy and anticipation, only to discover he had opened and returned the Christmas presents I had sent him,” she explained.
“Heartbroken, I began to understand what it meant to have someone close to me hurt me in my time of need. I have not received anything from my poppy since.”
The 19-year-old went on to say how her mother has kept the lines of communication open, giving her poppy the chance to rekindle the relationship, however, this has gone unnoticed.
Coming to terms with the fact they will never be close, Bindi said she was glad to have a loving family and supportive friends that have guided her throughout her life.
“Although I will continue to love my poppy, I do not hold out hold that he will ever seek the help he needs to deal with his grief. And I very much doubt he will ever reach out to me, or to Robert, as a loving grandfather,” she told the publication.
“Not every one that they love and count on will be there in their time of need.”
Bindi, Robert and Terri earlier this year paid tribute to Steve, who was honoured with a Hollywood Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The daughter of the Crocodile Hunter gave an emotional speech at the special event that brought tears to eyes of many.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BiiV50qHAYv/?taken-by=bindisueirwin
“I have to tell you that I never in my wildest dreams imagined that this would become a reality, and this is such an honour as a family to continue in dad’s footsteps,” she told the crowd in Los Angeles.
“Thank you for being here today and supporting us.”