Sad fortune Steve Irwin left his wife and kids as they went into debt
Wildlife warrior Steve Irwin became a global household name thanks to his passion for conservation and getting up close to crocodiles. Despite his huge success, his family were left struggling in more ways than one when he died.
Steve worked hard, having starred in popular series The Crocodile Hunter, Croc Files, and The Crocodile Hunter Diaries. He also landed his very own film, The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course, which was a box office hit grossing in an impressive $33.4 million.
However, at the time of his death Steve left his wife Terri, 61, and their children Robert, 21, and Bindi, 27, a surprisingly small inheritance. It comes after Sir Michael Palin says he is preparing for the end of his life in sad update.
Instead of handing down riches to his beloved family, Steve's life insurance policy totalled $200,000 (£98,000), according to realestate.com.au. The figure may be surprising to fans considering Steve's fame, but he invested money into Australia Zoo.
Proving how deep rooted his love for conservation was, Steve reinvested most of his earnings into the Queensland animal facility, which Robert and Bindi are expected to inherit one day.
Last year, Steve's widow Terri revealed how his death left the family in a tough financial situation. She revealed the majority of money Steve made went straight back into his conservation and keeping Australia Zoo open.
"Everything was reinvested into conservation work," Terri told the Australian Financial Review. "I was in debt... and Steve's life insurance, I think, was the sum total of $200,000, which didn't even cover half of one week's payroll."
Steve had established a 10-year business plan before his death, which helped his family massively. Terri explained he made it "ironclad" to prevent "some crazy person sweep in from some distant family connection and try to take everything."
Steve tragically died at the age 44 when he was fatally stung by a stingray in September 2006. A proud dad of two, Irwin's son and daughter were just three and eight years old at the time.
His children have been carrying on their father's legacy through conservation work. Last year, they marked the 18th anniversary of Steve's death with emotional tributes online.
Daughter Bindi shared a snap of her famous dad holding a huge crocodile as she shared: "It is an honour to help continue the work you started. Your legacy lives on in our family, our team, Australia Zoo, Wildlife Warriors and The Crocodile Hunter Lodge. Hope to make you proud."
Robert also shared his own post featuring a snap of Steve looking nonchalant as he held a film camera on his shoulders while filming a fully grown crocodile. Steve was sitting in a little boat to keep safe as the crocodile leapt up from the water.
Robert simply captioned the photo with a heart emoji and a crocodile emoji. He had previously shared home video footage of his famous dad exploring the Irwins' Australia Zoo on a motorcycle, leaving fans emotional.
Robert said: "Some of my fondest and earliest memories were on that bike. It brings back so many memories. Every time I get on that bike and ride the same route around Australia Zoo he did, it means so much that this piece of machinery that he loved and used every day."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Wales Online
8 hours ago
- Wales Online
'Coney Beach has been my life for 60 years and now I am forced to retire'
'Coney Beach has been my life for 60 years and now I am forced to retire' 'I am gutted like the rest of the people here. It's such a beautiful place that I've been coming to for as long as I can remember' Steve has worked at the doughnut stand since he left school in 1967 (Image: John Myers) If you have ever been to Coney Beach there are probably a few familiar faces you may recognise whether that's an owner of a stall or a regular at The Beachcomber. For many people the seaside in Porthcawl is a second home, but now they are being stripped of that as it closes at the end of this summer after 100 years of providing ageless family fun. October will mark the last time the Coney Beach Amusement Park and promenade will be open to the public, announced by the owners, the Evans family, in July this year. The news dealt a severe blow to the people of Porthcawl who were deeply saddened to learn that the Welsh Government has plans to use the area for a mixed-use development that could feature a new housing estate, retail, business facilities, and a new primary school after its purchase in 2023. We spoke to some of the people who have been familiar faces in and around Coney Beach for decades. Our visit happened before this week's derailment on the Wacky Worm ride, which saw 13 children and an adult injured on Wednesday and saw the park close until it reopened on Friday. Most amusement parks workers stay a summer and move on. However there are a few people at Coney Beach that have spent decades serving beachgoers in the same spot year after year. One person that will be recognisable to many is the man behind Porthcawl's famous warm doughnuts. Stay informed on Bridgend news by signing up to our newsletter here Article continues below Steve, who runs American Donuts inside the amusement park has worked at the stand since 1967 straight after he left school. Now a sprightly 75-year-old, he chose not to retire as he says his customer "wouldn't let" him as the park would not be the same without him there. Coney Beach in Porthcawl (Image: John Myers) Customers have been begging Steve to continue, constantly asking where he will be going next. Now that the park is closing, Steve says he is "gutted" about his "forced retirement" as he had no plans to stop anytime soon. Another fairground favourite at the seaside is Coney's where you can buy cockles and mussels along the beachfront. Dave Jones, 60, has been running the seafood stall at Coney Beach for around 20 years and ran a second one alongside at Hi-tide on the other side of the beach for 15 years. Dave has had his seafood stall at Coney Beach for decades (Image: John Myers) With his seafood stall having to close this October, Dave isn't sure of his plans for the future but is thinking about downgrading to a cockle bike where he can sell his stock along the beach. Dave said: "It's sad. Where are all the people going to go, there isn't another place like this anywhere close. "It's the children I feel sorry for, there aren't many places where they can get out, get some exercise and enjoy themselves." But it's not just the children that will miss Coney Beach as along with the amusement park, the eastern promenade and the pub, The Beachcomber will be closing due to the new developments. The Beachcomber has served locals and visitors to the beachfront for decades and some punters have been going there for as long as they can remember. In the corner of the popular venue is Fraser's Cwtch, a section dedicated to a man who is practically part of the furniture alongside the friends he has made there. Ian has sat in the same spot with a pint in his hand for decades (Image: John Myers) Ian Fraser, 76, born just outside of Porthcawl, spent many days of his life at Coney Beach where he took his seven children and now his grandchildren. Like the majority of the people who regularly visit the beachfront Ian is "gutted" that the place that holds so many memories for him is closing. He said: "I am gutted like the rest of the people here. It's such a beautiful place that I've been coming to for as long as I can remember. "I don't know where I'm going to go now, we've all been talking about what to do when it closes. "I brought all of my children here when they were kids and they loved it. Now they bring my grandchildren who are absolutely devastated about it closing." Over 60-years-ago Ian worked at the fairground as a young teenager with other teenagers from his school who got a job in the summer there. Many people have been at Coney Beach for years but not as long as some of the regulars (Image: John Myers) Article continues below Then after turning 18 he has become a regular at The Beachcomber where pictures of him hang on the walls above the seat he has been in for decades. Having spent a lot of time at Coney Beach Ian has many fond memories there including celebrating his 70th birthday and even meeting King Charles.
Wales Online
a day ago
- Wales Online
I visited Coney Beach for the first time and left feeling sad
I visited Coney Beach for the first time and left feeling sad I had never visited the amusement park that has been on everyone's lips so I thought I should see what the fuss was about I visited the fairground before it closes for the last time this summer (Image: John Myers) With the sudden news that Coney Beach in Porthcawl will be closing by the end of this summer I wanted to see for myself why everybody seemed to be so upset about its closure so I went down for the first time to check it out. Living in Cardiff the nearest fairground and beach to me is Barry Island which was easily accessible by bus or train so we never ventured quite as far as Porthcawl. I discovered when planning my trip that I would need to get a train and two buses to get there, making it a long journey. My visit took place before this week's derailment on the Wacky Worm ride, which saw 13 children and an adult injured on Wednesday and saw the park close, until it reopened on Friday. That came after last month's shock announcement that the amusement park will be closing for good in October after 100 years of being open. The Welsh Government purchased part of the land in the area for a mixed-use redevelopment including housing, retail businesses and a school. Unfortunately this sign is no longer true (Image: John Myers) Knowing that the amusement park has been around for over 100 years, I wasn't expecting everything to be shiny and new so I was not surprised when the rides were slightly outdated and needed a lick of paint. However, personally I think it adds to the nostalgia of the park. Article continues below The fairground at Coney Beach had everything you would expect with plenty of rides for all ages, carnival games, food stalls and an arcade with a plethora of games to spend way too much money trying to win a toy worth much less. Stay informed on Bridgend news by signing up to our newsletter here There are plenty of stalls with classic funfair games (Image: John Myers) Of course amusement parks such as Coney Beach are targeted towards children, teens and families but I still had fun as someone in their 20's. One thing I thought was missing was a big ride, they had your classic tea cups, bumper cars and the sticky wall but they didn't have a large, impressive ride that would make it different from ones across the country. I tried some of the rides but many were ones I've already been on at other fairgrounds (Image: John Myers) However, one thing that was a standout was the famous warm doughnuts sold at the American Donuts hut that has people queuing. Steve began working at the doughnut stand in 1967. Now at 75-years-old he will be finally retiring as Coney Beach closes after this summer is over. Venturing onto the promenade I was pleasantly surprised at the different shops and food stalls there are along the seafront. The smaller independent shops like the cockle stand and surf shop made me feel like I was walking along a seaside town where everyone was so friendly and willing to chat. I was shocked by how busy both the fairground and promenade became in the afternoon as the sun still shone in the sky, beating down on the sand and blue waters. Kids laughing and shouting in excitement at all the fun things to do there really brought me back to my childhood when I would save up all my 2p coins to play on the machines. However, it also made me think about the park closing down and no longer being able to provide those memories for children to come. Speaking to the local people there and the stall owners, watching the children play and families laughing I felt the sadness lying beneath as soon it will all be gone. Article continues below I visited Coney Beach for the first time and if I'm not quick it could be my last, which now I realise is such a shame but I am glad to have experienced it.
Metro
3 days ago
- Metro
We charged guests £700 to attend our wedding — even strangers could come
When Steve proposed to Marley on January 1, 2025, on an ice rink in Boise, Idaho, surrounded by their family and friends, the pair got straight to planning their special day. But, after discovering the cost of weddings, an average of $35,000 in the US and £23,700 in the UK, the couple made the unconventional decision to charge guests to attend their nuptials. The idea initially began as a joke, but they warmed up to the idea when they realised they'd be able to have the party they wanted. In fact, the tickets were publicly available online and the bride announced on TikTok that anyone could pay to attend if they wished – even strangers. Marley Jaxx, 34, and her husband Steve Larsen, 37, gave guests the option of paying £42 each to attend the actual wedding day, or £735 for a three-day experience. This included the wedding, a charity rehearsal dinner and a biohacking day which involved health experts, electrolyte and red light treatments, and breath work – followed by a recovery lounge. 'We decided to charge because we started making a big list of everyone who we wanted to come, we were paying per head, and wanted a big party but the cost kept getting higher and higher,' Steve, an entrepreneur from Boise, explains. 'We said instead of people getting us a gift, or donating to a honeymoon fund – pay for your meal, and you can come party with us. For us, it was all about doing a different way of doing things, and changing how people think about weddings.' X Factor icon Diana Vickers and Metro's dating expert Alice Giddings dive into your wildest sex, love, and dating dilemmas – every Tuesday. Listen wherever you get your podcasts or watch on YouTube. And be sure to follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode. You can also join the fun on our WhatsApp Group Chat here – share your dilemmas and Diana and Alice may just give you a call. Marley, also an entrepreneur, says that their decision to charge people to celebrate was met with some raised eyebrows. @marleyjaxx I thought we all knew the deal by now, but just in case… Yes. You can come to the wedding. No, you don't need a secret password. Unless you count CRASHTHEPARTY as a password… in which case, say less. I was on a client call yesterday and someone asked: 'Wait… can I ACTUALLY buy a ticket to your wedding??' BABY. That is why I've been making these videos every day like a wedding-obsessed Willy Wonka with Canva access. YES, YOU CAN COME. YES, YOU ARE INVITED. YES, THIS IS REAL LIFE. 🎟️ It's $57 📅 Please RSVP before July… if you wait till after, sure, you might still get in… but you could be standing in a corner eating ice cubes while everyone else has dinner. No promises. There will be cake. Emotions. Possibly holograms. A portion of every ticket helps build a classroom in Kenya with Village Impact Drop 'CRASHTHEPARTY' below and I'll send you the invitation. Bring a friend. Or five. We'll save you a seat (unless you wait too long, in which case you might be eating air). ♬ original sound – Marley Jaxx 'Most people got it. Of course there were people who did a double take and were like 'wait, what?',' she adds. 'One friend of mine didn't like it, and he didn't hold back either. We debated it, and in the end, he said he understood. Other responses we had were from people saying that if we can't afford a big wedding, then don't do it. 'It was never about what we could afford.' Despite initial hesitations, 300 guests attended, covering the £36,894 cost of the shindig, which took place on August 1. The celebrations featured brass players, an outside ceremony, a three tier cake and fire displays. 'The people who were at the wedding wanted to be there,' Marley says. 'Guests were commenting on how peaceful it was. It changed the feeling of the wedding. 'I thought it would be stressful, but it was peaceful. One of the guests said when people get a wedding invitation, there is an obligation to go. 'But when you choose to pay, it is a different feeling – it shows how much they appreciate you.' The newlyweds also managed to raise £97,807 to be donated to the charity Village Impact, which provides community-led education, leadership, and economic opportunities in Kenya. The couple say the opportunities for guests to donate were through bracelets made by kids in Kenya, a silent auction with art from Ugandan artists, and even a few guests committing to join them on their trip to Africa to build the school in July 2026. Marley and Steve says they're 'thrilled' with how the wedding went. More Trending Despite the backlash on social media, Marley said they were 'frugal' for their wedding. Marley said: 'I hope that any bride can say that there was nothing they wanted to change about their wedding day. We had family who travelled from all over, our three daughters did public speaking, which we were super proud of. View More » 'Everyone was dancing, we had such a great time.' Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: I called my bride my ex's name at the altar — people are telling her to divorce me MORE: 'I'm an elite matchmaker – sometimes you don't know who you're talking to until NDAs are signed' MORE: I'm having the best sex of my life since my husband's gay affair
