Bindi Irwin missed her late father Steve Irwin’s annual gala in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 10, after suffering a ruptured appendix.
Robert Irwin, the brother of Bindi, shared in an interview with People that Bindi unexpectedly had to undergo surgery, following her recent battle with endometriosis. He emphasized the importance of health, expressing that while they were prepared for many things, surgery was not one of them.
Robert, at 21, revealed that Bindi had traveled to Las Vegas but had to have surgery for her appendix, causing her to miss a scheduled gala event. Their mother, Terri Irwin, also skipped the event to support Bindi, a star on Crikey! It’s the Irwins.
Robert mentioned that Bindi was determined to attend the gala despite discomfort, intending to tough it out. However, the situation changed when doctors advised that her appendix needed to be removed urgently. He stressed that health should always take precedence, even though Bindi was disappointed about missing the event. Nonetheless, he expressed confidence in her quick recovery.
Bindi posed with her mother and brother via Instagram on Friday, May 9, and wrote that she was looking forward to “raising funds and awareness for Wildlife Warriors” at the Las Vegas event.
The Steve Irwin Gala has been held annually since 2002 in order to raise money for global conservation efforts. Steve, a famed zookeeper and conservationist, tragically died at age 44 in September 2006 from an injury caused by a stingray.
As Robert mentioned, Bindi, 26, announced in March 2023 that she’d undergone surgery for the uterine condition endometriosis after enduring a decade of “insurmountable” pain. She shared with 9honey Celebrity in September 2024 that she’d spent so long “fighting an invisible battle daily” before she was finally diagnosed with endometriosis.
“At one point in my journey I was told that it was all in my head by a doctor,” she recalled. “I started to truly believe it.”
Bindi — who shares daughter Grace, born March 2021, with husband Chandler Powell — credited her mother Terri with giving her the strength to get through a decade of chronic pain.
“She was there every step of the way for me, right down to helping me to the bathroom when I could barely walk after surgery,” she recalled. “I don’t know what I would do without my incredible mama … I hope I am able to be even half the incredible mama to Grace that my mom is to me.”
While Bindi missed Steve’s memorial gala this year, she paid heartfelt tribute to her late father on what would have been his 63rd birthday in February.
“To the world, you will forever be remembered as the greatest Wildlife Warrior,” Bindi wrote via Instagram. “To me, you’ll always be the most incredible dad and now our family’s guiding light. I love you and I miss you every day.”
In April, the Dancing with the Stars season 21 champion offered support when her brother Robert was announced as the first contestant joining DWTS season 34.
“Robert, you are going to absolutely shine in the ballroom. I wish I could express the magnitude of how proud I am of you and everything you have achieved,” Bindi wrote via Instagram. “[I] can’t wait to cheer you on each week as you inspire so many with your strength, kindness and determination. Here’s to an extraordinary journey ahead.”
Dancing With the Stars airs this fall on ABC and Disney+ with new episodes streaming the next day on Hulu.
