Robert Irwin confirms Bindi was rushed to emergency surgery during Steve Irwin Gala

The Steve Irwin Gala was held in Las Vegas over the weekend, but matriarch Terri and daughter Bindi were no shows after an emergency dash to the hospital. 

It's the Irwin's biggest night celebrating Wildlife Warrior patriarch, Steve Irwin, but this year's Steve Irwin Gala was met with a small dose of drama with Bindi rushed to hospital before the ball began. 

The famous Aussie trio - Terri, Bindi and Robert - were all ready for a huge night of honouring Steve's legacy in Las Vegas with mum Terri posting a shot of the family in front of the Bellagio fountain hours before the event.

"Tonight is the night! The Steve Irwin Gala, raising funds and awareness for wildlife conservation @bellagio in Las Vegas. Thanks to everyone joining us to honour Steve’s legacy," she captioned the shot. 

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Terri, Bindi and Robert ahead of the Steve Irwin Gala kicked off in Las Vegas. Image: Instagram

Bindi and Terri's emergency dash to the ER

Everyone was smiling in the snap, and there was no hint of anyone being a no-show... until it was time to hit the red carpet.

Bindi was rushed to hospital in a medical emergency on the same night, with the 26-year-old mum undergoing emergency surgery for an appendectomy. 

Brother Robert was forced to walk the red carpet solo and updated the press with his sister's movements, with mum Terri remaining by her daughter's side for the procedure. 

“She’s going to be OK, but surgery — out of all the things we were ready for, that was not one of them,” he confirmed to People. 

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

Robert confirmed that both Bindi and Terri were sad to miss their family's big evening, but couldn't ignore medical advice. 

“She came to Las Vegas and was ready to come to the gala, put on a brave face in a lot of discomfort and a lot of pain and said, ‘Nope, I’m just going to tough it out, I’m going to go for it,’ ” Robert shared.

“But the surgeon said, ‘No, your appendix is going. That thing’s gotta come out.’ Health has to come first.”

RELATED: Bindi Irwin’s baby girl is already ‘wrangling snakes’

Bindi's brave health battle

If her public health battle with crippling endometriosis is anything to go by, Robert said he was confident that his 'brave' sister would make a speedy recovery following her emergency surgery. 

Back in 2023, the Wildlife Warrior and mum to Gracie shared an emotional post on social media that silenced rumours she was expecting her second child and was privately suffering from endometriosis, which led to surgery to remove 37 lesions. 

"Dear Friends, I battled for a long time wondering if I should share this journey with you in such a public space. It came down to the responsibility I feel to share my story for other women who need help," she shared from her hospital bed at the time. 

"For 10yrs I’ve struggled with insurmountable fatigue, pain & nausea. Trying to remain a positive person & hide the pain has been a very long road. These last 10yrs have included many tests, doctors visits, scans, etc."

Bindi said she was turned away by one doctor who tried to explain her symptoms were simply part of being a woman, but she knew she had to investigate more. 

"A doctor told me it was simply something you deal with as a woman & I gave up entirely, trying to function through the pain."

Bindi opened up about her endometriosis battle back in 2023. Image: Instagram

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Grace will be 'our one child'

Bindi, of course, went on to have surgery and a year later was forced to answer the question of extending the family once again. 

In a Q&A video posted on the Australia Zoo YouTube channel, Bindi together with husband Chandler took the mic to answer the question many people have been pestering the couple with for years. 

"Are you two planning on having another child?" Chadler read. 

Bindi took the opportunity to confirm that it is likely they will forever be a family of three and reminded fans to be careful with asking questions similar to this to other women. 

"I just do want to send it out there that be careful when you ask this question because you never know what's happening in someone's life, in a family's world," Bindi said. 

"You know, everything may seem fine on the outside and on the inside, their own personal journey might've been filled with turmoil and challenges that you can't even fathom.

"While I understand why a lot of people ask us this question and I appreciate the kindness and good intent behind it, it's also a really tricky question for many, many people who maybe can't have another baby, can't have a baby at all."

She then admitted Grace would be their 'one child'. 

"We feel very lucky to have Grace. She is our beautiful girl but she will probably be our one child," Bindi shared. 

"She will be our one child but you never know... maybe we will be blessed with another little one down the road. That would be incredible, but yeah, who knows..."

Originally published as Robert Irwin confirms Bindi was rushed to emergency surgery during Steve Irwin Gala