Bindi Irwin says her late father Steve’s dad has ‘no interest’ in her family

Bindi Irwin has written in a Facebook post that her grandfather Bob Irwin - father of Steve Irwin - has “no interest” in spending time with her family.

Bindi Irwin has opened up about her painful relationship with her grandfather, Bob.

The 22-year-old new mother’s extraordinary comments came after Irwin posted “an appreciation post for the three most incredible fathers in my life”.

Referencing her late father, wildlife warrior Steve Irwin, her husband Chandler Powell and his dad. Irwin left out her grandfather.

BIndi Irwin and husband Chandler with their baby Grace.

Bob Irwin. Picture: Lachie Millard

“My dad taught me the importance of strength when standing up for what I believe in and to have empathy for all living beings,” she wrote.

“My husband amazes me every day with his kind and steadfast heart, his love for our daughter is infinite. My father-in-law works tirelessly for his family and is always there with a word of encouragement. These extraordinary men inspire me and I love them so very much.”

Irwin and Powell are new parents to daughter, Grace.

The appreciation post received more than 4400 comments in the first hour of Irwin posting on her official Facebook to more than 2.1 million followers.

While well documented in women’s magazines, Irwin, her mum, Terri, and brother, Robert, have avoided speaking about their difficult relationship with Bob Irwin.

Conservationist Steve Irwin (R) on his last crocodile hunt, with his daughter Bindi Irwin (L) and father Bob Irwin (C).

Bob Irwin with a photo of a young Bindi Irwin. Picture: ABC

Steve Irwin died in 2006 at the age of just 44 after being pierced in the chest by a stingray barb on the Great Barrier Reef.

“I really wish that my entire family could spend time with Grace,” Bindi wrote on Facebook. “Unfortunately my grandfather Bob has shown no interest in spending time with me or my family.”

Bindi explained that her mother still writes to her grandfather and sends him birthday and Christmas gifts, stating the family had financially supported him since he retired from Australia Zoo in 1992, “sending him funds every week”.

Bob Irwin and his son Steve.

Bob Irwin, who was a plumber before taking on his conservation work, and his late wife, Lyn, set up Australia Zoo on the Queensland Sunshine Coast in 1973 when Steve was a young child. It was first known as Beerwah Reptile Park and in 1992, when Bob retired, the park was handed down to Steve and his new wife.

It was renamed Australia Zoo in 1998.

Bindi Irwin , Robert Irwin & Terri Irwin and grandfater Bob Irwin with the tribute to Steve Irwin at Australia Zoo

The four at Steve Irwin Memorial Service at Australia Zoo in 2006.

“We built him a house on a beautiful property and will always do our best to ensure his well-being. I want Bob’s happiness in life ... I hope everyone remembers to be kind to one another but most of all care for your own mental health. I have struggled with this relationship my entire life and it brings me enormous pain. I have to choose to care for my own mental health now.”

In 2019, Bob Irwin dismissed any feud to the Courier Mail, although admitted to not seeing his grandchildren for many years. He said he wasn’t invited to Bindi’s wedding, nor would he expect to have been.

“If they wanted to, of course I would,” he said at the time. “I get messages (from friends) constantly about how Bob and Bindi are doing, what achievements they’ve made, what interests they have, and I also watch television like everyone else. They keep me up-to-date. Both Bindi and Bob have achieved a lot in a short space of time; mind you, they’re both only young yet … but they’ve done well and … I would say Steve would be pretty happy with the way they’re doing.”

A representative for Bob Irwin said they did not wish to comment on the matter.

Bob Irwin promoting his book, co-written by Amanda French, who has replied to Bindi Irwin’s Facebook post.

But Amanda French, who co-wrote Bob’s 2016 autobiography, The Last Crocodile Hunter, commented on Bindi’s Facebook post.

French, who previously worked at Australia Zoo, said she considered Bob family and was shocked by Bindi’s thoughts on her grandfather.

She described him as the kindest and most beautiful soul and said Bindi’s comments were heartbreaking.

“I have sat with him in hospital many times, lived with him, had him walk me down the aisle and he’s also our son’s Godfather,” French wrote.

“He is nothing but kind ... He hasn’t seen you since you were 10. He has done all he knows how to do and that is bury his head in the sand because that’s how he copes. He’s not someone who is out there about reaching out and communicating, he’s like your Dad was. An introvert and not someone who can navigate people well.”

French said Steve would have made sure his father was looked after.

Bindi Irwin with husband Chandler Powell (left) and father-in-law Chris Powell (right). Picture: Facebook

Bob Irwin and his son Steve.

“He loves your Dad, and you guys more than you know,” she wrote. “This should be a private matter not written about on Facebook. I’m so disappointed to read this. It’s immature to write such words. We could turn this around and say he supported your family financially by handing you the keys to the very property he built with his bare hands. For starters, ... he can’t even visit his own son’s grave or use any private family video or photographic footage of him. But he doesn’t speak up, he has continually asked to be left alone and played down this story.”

She continued of the 83-year-old: “He doesn’t have long left on this earth, allow him the peace to just move on in his own way without name calling.”

French confirmed Bob had returned a gift sent to him by Terri.

Friends of Bob Irwin say Terri Irwin sent him a gift of a green shower cap. Picture: Lachie Millard

“I was with him the year he was sent a strange card from your Mum and a green shower cap. The next year it was a little girl’s green purse with $2 inside. So very confusing and strange... He’s the kind of person who’d give you the shirt off his back, or an entire zoo. Talk to the people who knew your dad, and him.”

Responding to French’s personal post on her Facebook page, Bob’s grandaughter, Toni Johnstone said her uncle would be “furious reading her (Bindi’s) comment if he were here today.

“I honestly cannot believe how she can (say this) and then preach ‘let’s be kind to one another’ in the same post,” Johnstone, whose mother Mandy is Steve’s sister, wrote.

She said Bob had built the zoo that made Bindi who she was today.