Stephen Robert Irwin (22 February 1962 – 4 September 2006), known as “the Crocodile Hunter”, was an Australian zookeeper, conservationist, television personality, wildlife educator, and environmentalist. He grew up around crocodiles and reptiles, learning from his father, Bob.
Irwin gained fame in the late 1990s with The Crocodile Hunter, co-hosted with his wife, Terri. They ran Australia Zoo in Queensland and had two children, Bindi and Robert. On 4 September 2006, he died from a stingray injury while filming at the Great Barrier Reef. His legacy lives on through numerous tributes and the family’s ongoing work.
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Table of Contents
Steve Irwin Net Worth
Steve Irwin had a net worth of $10 million at his death in 2006. Known as “The Crocodile Hunter,” he gained global fame for his wildlife shows, especially about crocodiles and reptiles.
His TV series The Crocodile Hunter debuted in 1996 and ran until 2007. Alongside his wife Terri, he hosted Croc Files, The Crocodile Hunter Diaries, and New Breed Vets. Steve co-owned and operated Australia Zoo, which was originally founded by his parents.
Early life
Stephen Robert Irwin was born on 22 February 1962 to Lynn (d. 2000) and Bob Irwin (b. 1939) in Upper Ferntree Gully, Melbourne. His parents were of Irish descent. Bob, a former plumber and amateur herpetologist, and Lynn, a wildlife rehabilitator, started the Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park where Steve grew up.
He began handling crocodiles at age nine and wrestled his first crocodile under his father’s supervision. Steve volunteered for the East Coast Crocodile Management program and took over the park in 1991, renaming it Australia Zoo in 1998.
Career
Steve and his wife Terri spent their honeymoon trapping crocodiles, filmed by John Stainton, becoming the first episode of The Crocodile Hunter. The series debuted in 1996 in Australia and reached North America in 1997, eventually airing in over 130 countries and reaching 500 million people.
Steve’s enthusiastic style, Australian accent, khaki shorts, and catchphrase “Crikey!” made him famous. Animal Planet ended the show with Steve’s Last Adventure. He later starred in Croc Files, The Crocodile Hunter Diaries, and New Breed Vets. After his death, his daughter Bindi starred in Bindi the Jungle Girl.
Personal life
In 1991, Steve Irwin met Terri Raines, an American naturalist from Eugene, Oregon, at Australia Zoo. They fell in love quickly, got engaged four months later, and married on 4 June 1992 in Eugene.
They had two children: Bindi Sue Irwin (born 24 July 1998) and Robert Clarence Irwin (born 1 December 2003). Steve called Bindi “the reason [he] was put on Earth.” His mother, Lyn, died in a car accident on 11 February 2000, deeply affecting him. The family avoided wearing rings for safety reasons.
What was Steve doing when he died?
Exactly 14 years ago today, Steve Irwin was filming for a new show called Ocean’s Deadliest. While swimming with a stingray, he got too close and it struck him in the heart. This caused Steve to later go into cardiac arrest and he subsequently died.
Conclusion
Steve Irwin’s legacy in wildlife conservation and education is monumental. His net worth of $10 million reflects the success of his career, but his true impact lies in the ongoing work of Australia Zoo and the continued inspiration he provides to wildlife enthusiasts around the world.
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FAQs about Steve Irwin’s Net Worth
- What was Steve Irwin’s net worth?
- Approximately $10 million.
- Why was Steve Irwin famous?
- For his wildlife conservation work and the “Crocodile Hunter” TV series.
- Who owns Australia Zoo now?
- Terri Irwin, Steve’s widow.
- How did Steve Irwin die?
- He was killed by a stingray while filming in the Great Barrier Reef.
- How many children did Steve and Terri Irwin have?
- They had two children: Bindi and Robert Irwin.
