Steve Irwin’s letter to his father Bob re-emerges amid family feud

An unearthed letter from Steve Irwin to his dad Bob has added extra emotion to the family feud which began last week.

The letter, written in 1992, 14 years before Steve’s passing, highlights the immense changes within the family since his death.

In the handwritten note, Steve expresses his gratitude to his parents and how he realised they were his “best friends”.

“Probably one of the most unfortunate things in a ‘bloke’s life’, is that it takes over 30 years to realise how essential you have been to build my character, my ethics and most importantly my ‘HAPPINESS’,” he writes.

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The Crocodile Hunter goes on to say that it wasn’t until he turned 32 that he realised that his love for his parents is his greatest strength.

“Your strength and endurance to raise me will not go unrewarded,” he continues.

“For the rest of my life, I will reflect on the unbelievably GREAT times we’ve shared together and will continue to share. You’re my best friends!”

The heartfelt letter was published in Bob Irwin’s memoir The Last Crocodile Hunter in 2016, the tenth anniversary of Steve’s death.

Bob said that he found the letter when it fell out of a book, with the envelope reading: “Please be happy to know that your strength and wisdom have been passed on.”

Along with his wife Lyn, Bob established Australia Zoo in 1970 before handing it over to Steve and Terri Irwin in 1992.

It’s rumoured that a rift in the family began shortly after because Bob had strong feelings against the ‘over commercialisation’ of the reptile park.

How the feud was brought up again

Bindi reignited the family feud last Sunday in a social media post celebrating the “most incredible fathers” in her life and didn’t mention her grandfather.

After a fan asked why he wasn't included, the wildlife conservationist revealed that Bob is no longer a part of her life.

“Unfortunately my grandfather Bob has shown no interest in spending time with me or my family,” she began the lengthy reply.

“He has never said a single kind word to me personally. It breaks my heart but it is not healthy to engage in an abusive relationship.”

Members of Bob’s family immediately responded to Bindi’s claims, labelling them as “lies”.

Since then, Bindi announced that she will be taking a month-long break to focus on her family’s happiness.

“Surround yourself with the light of people who genuinely care about you and will support you during the good times and the hard times,” she told her fans online.

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