In 2006, the world mourned the loss of Steve Irwin, affectionately known as “The Crocodile Hunter.” His tragic death left an indelible mark on his many fans and admirers. Irwin’s passion for wildlife conservation and his vibrant personality made him a beloved figure around the world. The sudden and shocking incident that led to his passing was a moment of profound sadness, especially given how young he was at the time. Even today, more than a decade later, the influence of his work continues to resonate.

In an interview, Terri Irwin, Steve’s widow, spoke openly about her late husband’s passing and the impact it had on her life. Appearing on the Australian television show “Anh’s Brush With Fame,” Terri shared her feelings with honesty and warmth. Now 53 years old, she recalled Steve’s tragic death and her journey through grief.

During the interview, Terri was originally there to talk about her advocacy against culling, but the conversation quickly shifted to Steve’s legacy. She spoke of his adventurous spirit and how he never expected to live a long life. Terri revealed that Steve often had a feeling his life would end prematurely. “He never thought he would live a long life. He was always feeling like something was going to happen,” she explained.

Sadly, Steve’s intuition proved to be tragically accurate. On September 4, 2006, while filming the documentary “Ocean’s Deadliest” in Queensland, Australia, a stingray struck Steve with its barb, fatally wounding him in the chest. Recalling that awful day, Terri said she received a call to contact the zoo manager, which was her first indication that something had gone wrong. She remembered the overwhelming shock and pain she felt upon hearing the news.

“All I remember is this overwhelming sense of responsibility and incredible pain, thinking, ‘What do I do now?’” Terri reflected. She then recalled having to tell their two children, Bindi and Robert, who were very young at the time. “I had to gather my thoughts before I could tell Bindi and Robert what had happened. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.”

With tears in her eyes, Terri spoke about her last memory of Steve before his death. He had stayed behind to finish filming while she and the children boarded a plane to Tasmania. “I remember him waving to us at the end of the airstrip. That was the last time we saw him,” she said.

Terri has spent the years since his death grieving, but she acknowledges that grief has transformed over time. “It’s difficult every day, and after 11 years, grief changes from a rock in your heart to more like a companion,” she said. “It’s always there, and you never know when it will hit you.”

Despite the pain of losing Steve, Terri continues to feel fortunate to have had the life she shared with him. “I miss Steve every day, but I feel incredibly lucky to have lived my ‘happily ever after’ with him,” she said.

Terri also reflected on how Steve would have been deeply moved by the outpouring of love and support that followed his death. “I think what would have surprised Steve the most was the incredible amount of love and grief from people all over the world,” she remarked.

Even though Steve is no longer with them, his legacy lives on through Terri and their children. Both Bindi and Robert have inherited their father’s passion for wildlife, continuing the important work he started. Terri remains proud of Steve’s humility, even in the face of fame. “Steve never cared about being famous. He was never arrogant or self-important,” she said, adding that they donated all their earnings to wildlife conservation. “That was something I always admired about him.”

Today, thanks to his family, Steve’s remarkable legacy continues to thrive, ensuring that his love for wildlife and conservation will never be forgotten.