Terri Irwin: ‘Steve always sensed his life would be cut short’

It’s been more than a decade since Steve Irwin’s life was cut short, and his wife Terri is still dealing with the heartbreaking tragedy.

While his sudden death at age 44 might have shocked Australia, Terri revealed Steve never thought he would have a long life.

Talking to ABC’s Anh’s Brush With Fame on Wednesday night, the mother-of-two said: “You know he never thought he would have a long life. He just always kind of had this sense that his life would be cut short”.

The beloved crocodile hunter died in 2006 when a stingray barb pierced his heart while filming the documentary Ocean’s Deadliest.

Read more: Heartbroken Bindi Irwin says dad’s death brought out the worst in ‘Poppy’ Bob

“I remember him saying to me, ‘I don’t think I am going to film anymore, I think I am just going to spend time with my kids’,” she added.

She also revealed that she’s still processing the grief over Steve’s death, saying: “You don’t ever get over grief. It changes, but you never wake up one morning and go, ‘Oh, I’m done with that.’ That was the challenge in the journey after Steve died”.

Though nothing could prepare Terri for the overwhelming support she received from his fans around the world.

“The thing I didn’t expect or understand was just how it affected everyone,” Terri said. “No one would have been more surprised than Steve at just the outpouring of grief and love.”

Read more: ‘Proud’ Terri Irwin praises Robert for continuing Steve’s legacy at Logies

The couple married in 1992 and shared two children together, 19-year-old daughter Bindi and 14-year-old son Robert. Bindi was only eight years old at the time of her father’s death, while Robert was two. 

And she still views Steve as her soulmate, even after his death. “In the 10 years since [his death], I haven’t dated or even thought about it,” she revealed. “Because I’m not afraid to be on my own. I always felt with Steve, if I hadn’t married Steve I wouldn’t have gotten married.”

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