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You can’t help but root for Robert Irwin.
Robert was just two years old when his father, the beloved Crocodile HunterSteve Irwin, died from a stingray attack while filming an underwater special. Since then, Robert has continued his father’s conservation efforts alongside his mother, Terri Irwin, and older sister, Bindi Irwin.
In addition to their work at the family’s Australia Zoo, both Robert and Bindi have been TV regulars, both on their own shows like Crikey! It’s the Irwins and as fan favorites (and history-making winners!) on Dancing With the Stars.
While Robert clearly loves beinga TV personality, his real love lies with wildlife conservation and the work his family does at home in the Land Down Under.
“Every week I represented my home at Australia Zoo, our charity Wildlife Warriors and a legacy that is so important to me,” he gushed after winning the DWTS mirror ball trophy in Season 34. “I lift this Mirrorball trophy with a sense of gratitude that my message and everything I stand for was [recognized] in that ballroom. The lessons I learned and friendships that I have formed will be part of me forever.”
He previously said in an appearance on Not Gonna Lie withKylie Kelce, “I feel like no matter what I do, whether I’m in my khaki uniform like you are right now, or if I am in the sequence of Dancing with the Stars, my heart always beats khaki, it always beats that Irwin spirit. I never thought that I would be able to bring my message and what I stand for, which is wildlife conservation, to the world through a dancing show.”
Once you’re done swooning and wiping your eyes, get to know a bit more about the precious Aussie, who must be protected at all costs.
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33 Interesting Facts About Robert Irwin
Robert Irwin’s Birthday
Dec. 1, 2003
Robert Irwin’s Hometown
Buderim, Queensland, Australia
Robert Irwin’s Father
Steve Irwin
Robert Irwin’s Mother
Terri Irwin
Related: Mark Hamill Reacts to Robert Irwin’s Favorite Star Wars Movie — And Totally Agrees (Exclusive)
Robert Irwin’s Career
Robert Irwin’s father, Steve Irwin, became famous as The Crocodile Hunter, which ran from 1996 until 2004.
The surviving Irwins remained beloved both in their native Australia and worldwide for their conservation efforts.
Robert was homeschooled at the Australia Zoo, where his mom Terri and older sister Bindi Irwin also work. When he was just 9 years old, he released his first series of children’s books, and the following year made his TV hosting debut on Wild But True.
After a series of TV appearances and wildlife shows, Robert became a household name when he competed on Dancing With the Stars in 2025.
Related: Robert Irwin’s Deep-Voiced Cowboy Impression Has Fans Swooning
Robert Irwin Timeline
Dec. 1, 2003: Robert Irwin is born.
March 2004: Robert Irwin makes his TV debut.
At just three months old, Robert was in tow when his parents appeared on Enough Rope With Andrew Denton.
Photo by Newspix on Getty Images
Sept. 4, 2006: Robert’s father Steve Irwin dies.
Steve Irwin, beloved TV personality and Robert’s adoring dad, died on Sept. 4, 2006, from a sting ray attack while filming underwater in the Batt Reef off of the Australian coast. Robert was just two years old at the time, but maintains a connection to his father through their love of Australia.
“If Australia were a person, it would be my dad,” Robert told Travel + Leisure in September 2025. “To love your wildlife, to be passionate, to have that spirit of mateship and camaraderie with everyone. He is just a superhero to me.”
“[Australia] is where I feel his energy and his passion more than anywhere else,” he explained. “That’s the great part of getting to live here. It’s so easy to get out in the middle of nowhere and just forget everything. You feel like you’re part of something so much bigger than yourself.”
Related: Robert Irwin’s Net Worth and How Much He Made on Dancing With the Stars
2007 — 2008: Robert Irwin stars with his big sis in Bindi the Jungle Girl.
Steve also appeared in early episodes that were filmed prior to his untimely passing. The series followed Bindi as she introduced animals and their importance to young audiences, with regular appearances from mom Terri as well.
Also in 2008, Robert and Bindi each made their big screen debuts with cameos in the film Free Willy: Escape From Pirates Cove.
Universal Studios Orlando
Early 2012: Robert Irwin feeds freshwater crocodiles for the first time.
Like father, like son! Robert first began feeding freshwater crocodiles and alligators (with adult supervision, of course!) when he was just 8 years old. Photographers snapped Robert tossing food to the toothsome critters at the Australia Zoo in April 2012, and that October, mom Terri told press, “I’m so proud of Robert, he’s growing up to be a chip off the old block.”
October 2012: Robert Irwin stars in Steve Irwin’s Wildlife Warriors.
The show followed the Irwins and their conservation efforts, caring for wildlife and working with rescues and animal hospitals.
“Robert has a real learning curve in the show,” Terri said, “whether it’s taming snakes or learning about venomous snakes or learning about wildlife as he goes.”
2013: Robert Irwin publishes his first book.
Australia Zoo
Robert co-authored and helped illustrate the book series Robert Irwin: Dinosaur Hunter, the first of which was published when he was 9 years old.
Dec. 1, 2013: Robert Irwin feeds saltwater crocodiles for the first time.
Robert celebrated his 10th birthday with a rite of passage: Feeding saltwater crocodiles, which can be twice the size and much more dangerous than their freshwater cousins. Terri told the Courier Mail that Robert had been “begging” for eight years to feed the colossal crocs.
“I think it’s really cool to feed my first saltwater croc because I will be able to carry on in dad’s legacy,” he said at the time. “There’s a big difference between the freshies and the salties, so I’m really excited to be able to feed a saltie.”
2014: Robert Irwin stars in Wild But True.
Robert co-hosted the educational show, which ran on Discovery Asia. The series earned an International Emmy Kids nomination for Best Factual.
August 2016: Robert Irwin gets a major photography honor.
Robert was named junior runner-up in the Australia Geographic 2016 Nature Photography of the Year contest for one of his snapshots of (what else?) a saltwater crocodile.
In addition to several other awards throughout his teens, Robert would go on to be a junior finalist in the competition again in 2019 and 2020.
Feb. 17, 2017: Robert Irwin makes his Tonight Show debut.
Robert joined Jimmy Fallon on the late-night staple for the first time on Feb. 17, 2017, and the duo cuddled a sloth together. The then-14-year-old quickly became a Tonight Show fan favorite.
April 6, 2018: Terri, Bindi and Robert Irwin meet then-Prince Charles.
Photo by Pool on Getty Images
The Irwins greeted King Charles (then the Prince of Wales), who was visiting Australia, with a joke about the royal’s matching his suit to their signature khaki outfits, the Courier Mail reported. Robert gifted a canvas print of one of his photos to the then-Prince, who, like the Irwins, is an environmentalist and conservationist.
April 26, 2018: Robert Irwin joins Terri and Bindi to unveil Steve Irwin’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Photo by Albert L. Ortega on Getty Images
Oct. 28, 2018: Terri, Bindi and Robert Irwin’s reality show, Crikey! It’s the Irwins premieres.
Terri, Bindi and Robert starred in Crikey! It’s the Irwins, which premiered in fall 2018 and ran for four seasons. Like their other projects, it followed their work in the Australia Zoo.
February 2022: Robert Irwin narrowly escapes a crocodile attack.
While feeding saltwater crocodiles (or “salties” as he called them as a kid), one of them thought Robert himself was his lunch. Robert made it over an enclosure wall just in time. You can see some of the footage from the incident here.
Related: Robert Irwin’s New Revelation About His Dad’s Crocodiles Proves Their Bond Lives On
November 2022: Robert Irwin publishes his first photography book, Robert Irwin’s Australia.
He told PEOPLE that his late father inspired his work capturing snapshots of wildlife.
October 2023: Robert Irwin is named co-host of I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!.
Robert and comedian Julia Morris co-hosted the Australian reality show beginning in 2024.
“It’s a huge honor to be the new co-host of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!,” Robert said in a statement at the time. “I can’t wait to plunge back into the incredible African jungle and introduce our celebrities to the magnificent wildlife that call the jungle home.”
Related: Robert Irwin Reveals What Role He Wants to Play on Broadway (Exclusive)
September 2024: Prince William names Robert Irwin an Earthshot Prize ambassador.
Photo by Chris Jackson on Getty Images
Robert and actress Nomzamo Mbatha were the first to ever receive the honor from the future king.
Related: DWTS Fans Spot a Sweet Connection Between Robert and Bindi Irwin
Sept. 16, 2025: Robert Irwin makes his debut on Dancing With the Stars.
Photo by Eric McCandless on Getty Images
Robert was the first star named to the Season 34 Dancing With the Stars roster, which also included Jen Affleck, Hilaria Baldwin, Jordan Chiles, Baron Davis, Alix Earle, Dylan Efron, Corey Feldman, Danielle Fishel, Elaine Hendrix, Scott Hoying, Lauren Jauregui, Whitney Leavitt and Andy Richter.
Photo by Eric McCandless on Getty Images
Robert became a fan favorite immediately and sent fans into a tizzy when he did a flirty jive with Xochitl Gomez.
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Nov. 25, 2025: Robert Irwin wins Dancing With the Stars Season 34.
Photo by Eric McCandless on Getty Images
Robert took home the Mirrorball trophy on Nov. 25, 2025. When his victory was announced, judge Carrie Ann Inaba told him, “There is so much love for you in this room and there has been since day one.”
A choked up Robert gushed, “Thank you for changing my life.”
Robert broke several records on the show: He was the youngest ever male winner, and he and Bindi are the first (and so far only) siblings to both take home the top prize.
In April 2026, Robert will put his Dancing shoes back on for the Dancing With the Stars live tour.
Related: Robert Irwin Teases Another Family Member is Ready for ‘Dancing with the Stars’
