Bindi Irwin admits grandfather Bob doesn’t have anything to do with her family

BINDI Irwin arrived at the AACTAs red carpet fresh off her win in America’s Dancing with the Stars, and ready to open up about a painful rift in her family.

BINDI Irwin has spoken out about her increasingly strained relationship with her paternal grandfather Bob following the death of her father Steve Irwin.

The DWTS winner made an appearance at the 5th annual AACTA Awards in Sydney on Wednesday night, arriving on the red carpet with her boyfriend Chandler Powell.

“Everyone deals with grief differently,” the 17-year-old told Daily Mail Australia.

“When my dad passed away he [Bob] chose to distance himself from everything that Dad loved the most.”

Bob Irwin has previously spoken out about his struggle to cope following his son’s tragic death in 2006.

“At the moment we’re really just respecting his wishes because he hasn’t had anything to do with us for a long time and he decided his own path. That’s important so good for him,” Bindi told DMA of her grandfather, who still operates the Bob Irwin Wildlife & Conservation Foundation after retiring from Australia Zoo in 1992.

The wildlife warrior added that her grandfather even rejected birthday presents from the family. “There was one year where we sent birthday presents to him and he opened them up and he sent them back.”

Bob Irwin previously revealed to the Herald Sun that he isn’t on speaking terms with Bindi, or her 12-year-old brother Robert. “It’s sad but it’s just the way things are,” the 76-year-old said.

Terri, Bindi and Bob Irwin at Australia Zoo.

It has been years since Bindi and Bob, with mum Terri, have spoken to their grandfather Bob (right).

Fresh off the back of her stunning DWTS victory in the US with dance partner Derek Hough, Bindi revealed she was donating her prize money to charity. But chatting to news.com.au on the AACTAs red carpet, she admitted she did buy a little something for herself.

“You know, Derek was joking about this with me. Honestly, I’ve worn the same pair of shoes. I was on my annual crocodile research trip with my family before we went to LA for Dancing With The Stars and I was wearing the same pair of shoes when I started as when I finished.

“And then when Derek came to Australia, I was still wearing the same pair of shoes and he shook me and said, ‘Do you own another pair of shoes?’

“Honestly, for me, wildlife and conservation is who I am and it’s what I’m most passionate about.”

The wildlife warrior admitted offers had been flooding in for her back in Hollywood, but remained coy about what the projects involved, telling Fairfax she was looking for “projects that will have as much of a positive impact on people,” adding, “Australia will always be my home.”

Bindi Irwin arrives ahead of the 5th AACTA Awards in Sydney.