Feb. 22 would have marked the late wildlife conservationist’s 64th birthday.

DWTS winner Robert Irwin remembers ‘guiding light’ Steve Irwin in emotional birthday tribute

Feb. 22 would have marked the late wildlife conservationist's 64th birthday.

By Ryan Coleman

Ryan Coleman

Ryan Coleman is a news writer for with previous work in MUBI Notebook, Slant, and the LA Review of Books.

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February 22, 2026 2:34 p.m. ET

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Robert Irwin and Steve Irwin. Credit:

Ethan Miller/Getty; John Shearer/WireImage

Steve Irwin's memory lives on, thanks in large part to his son, Robert Irwin.

The winner of *Dancing With the Stars *season 34 paid tribute to his father on what would have been his 64th birthday with an emotional post to his Instagram on Sunday.

"Would have been your birthday today. Love you, miss you," Robert wrote in the caption of a throwback photo of the wildlife conservationist holding his toddler-aged son, both sporting beaming smiles on their faces. "Thank you for being a guiding light and inspiration every day."**

Steve Irwin died on Sept. 4, 2006, after being injured by a stingray while shooting a documentary in his native Australia's Great Barrier Reef. Robert was only two years old at the time of his father's death, while his older sister, Bindi, was eight.

The *Crocodile Hunter *star owned and operated the Australia Zoo with his wife of 14 years, Terri Irwin, during his lifetime. Robert and Bindi's mother left a supportive comment on her son's tribute post, assuring him, "Your dad loved you so very much."

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The Irwin family's famous friends and fans left similar supportive comments on Robert's post as well. The official account for the Australia Zoo, which 22-year-old Robert now manages, left a simple red heart emoji under the post.

Witney Carson, who competed alongside Robert as his pro partner on *DWTS*, wrote, "Love you so much! I know he’s so proud of you ❤️‍🩹."**

Robert Irwin with dad Steve Irwin (and friend) in 2005.

Robert dedicated several dances to his father over the course of his season on *Dancing With the Stars*, which he won exactly 10 years after Bindi won her season of the reality competition series. His and Carson's week-9 foxtrot ended with Bindi joining the pair on stage to kneel before images of their father projected onto the ballroom floor.

Much of the audience and the entire judges' panel dissolved into tears, earning Robert and Carson the first perfect score of the season.**

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.***

Robert emerged from the competition as one of its most beloved winners. So beloved, in fact, that he is currently being eyed to host the series' latest spinoff project, *Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro*. The series currently under development will stage a competition to find a new member of the show's elite squad of ballroom aces, with current pro Mark Ballas and his mother, English ballroom legend Shirley Ballas, serving as judges.****

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