Bindi Irwin opens up on ugly feud with Australia Zoo founder Bob on US Father’s Day

Jessie StoelwinderThe West Australian
VideoBindi Irwin claims she suffered years of ‘mental abuse’ by grandfather Bob Irwin

Bindi Irwin has spoken of her heartbreak surrounding the long-running family feud with her estranged grandfather Bob.

The daughter of late wildlife warrior Steve Irwin made the painful admission in a Facebook post, after she wrote a touching tribute to the key men in her life.

To mark the US version of Father’s Day, Irwin shared photos of Steve, hew husband Chandler Powell and his dad Chris.

While the post was flooded with thousands of positive comments from fans, one user queried why Bob wasn’t mentioned.

In a now-deleted reply, Irwin said her grandfather had not met her three-month-old daughter, Grace Warrior.

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“I really wish that my entire family could spend time with Grace,” she wrote.

“Unfortunately my grandfather Bob has shown no interest in spending time with me or my family.”

The 22-year-old added: “It breaks my heart.”

Bob is believed to have become estranged from Steve’s wife Terri soon after the naturalist’s death in 2006, where he was pierced in the chest by a stingray barb.

Irwin claimed the family had continued to support Bob financially since he retired from Australia Zoo in 1992, “sending him funds every week.”

“We built him a house on a beautiful property and will always do our best to ensure his well-being,” she continued in the Facebook post.

“I want Bob’s happiness in life ... 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.”

Camera IconBindi Irwin holds her daughter Grace Warrior. Credit: Bindi Irwin/Instagram

Seven West Media has attempted to contact Bob Irwin for comment. He has refused to speak on the claims when approached by other media outlets.

His autobiographer, Amanda French, did comment on Irwin’s post, saying she was disappointed to see the private matter discussed in a public forum.

“(Bob) is nothing but kind ... He hasn’t seen you since you were 10,” she wrote.

“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.”

When asked about the family’s complicated relationship by the Courier Mail in 2019, Bob said he would see his grandchildren if they wanted to.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

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