‘I wish Steve was here, but I’m so lucky’: Terri Irwin opens up about life without Steve

Terri Irwin admits she still misses her late husband Steve but says being a mum and having a support network have got her through life without her soul mate.

The 60 year old conservationist opened up to US Weekly in the lead up to this year’s Steve Irwin Gala when she chatted about her life carrying on Steve’s work.

In an emotional joint interview with her adult children, Terri told the publication that she is very “lucky” to have so much love in her life and have a strong sense of purpose.

“My life is very full and very rich and every day, I wish Steve was here, but I’m so lucky,” Terri said.

Younger son Robert, 21 reportedly praised his mum’s resilience but Terri admitted that being a mother helped her cope with Steve’s death.

“I have my wonderful kids. I’m a grandmother now, and I have such a great team around me,” she said.

Tragically, Steve’s life was cut short while he was filming a documentary near the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland in 2006.

However, Terri and Steve’s children Robert and daughter Bindi, 26, have worked to carry on his legacy to save wildlife in the years since his death.

The trio were meant to make an appearance at the annual Steve Irwin Gala, which took place at the Bellagio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, however, Bindi was forced to miss the event after undergoing surgery due to a ruptured appendix.

Terri also missed the event to be by her side.

“She’s going to be OK, but surgery – out of all the things we were ready for, that was not one of them,” Bindi’s brother, Robert Irwin, told People magazine.

“She’s just come out the other side of endometriosis and now the appendix goes. Health is so important – it really is.”

Thankfully the surgeries went well and Bindi provided fans and well-wishers with a welcome update about her health following the procedures.

She took to social media shortly after her operation, revealing she had undergone multiple procedures during the emergency intervention.

“Hey guys, Bindi here. I just wanted to thank you so much for your incredible well wishes. I just got out of surgery about an hour ago,” she began.

“I had my appendix removed. I also had 14 new endometriosis lesions that had to be removed and they kindly stitched up my hernia as well.”

Bindi went on to express heartfelt appreciation for the medical team and the outpouring of support from fans.

“Thank you guys for your kind words, for your support,” she said.