Terri Irwin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Terri Irwin AM
Irwin in 2011
Born	Terri Elizabeth Raines (1964-07-20) July 20, 1964 (age 61) Eugene, Oregon, U.S.
Citizenship	United States Australia
Occupation	Conservationist, author, Zoo Owner
Years active	1987–present
Notable work	The Crocodile Hunter, Crikey! It's the Irwins
Spouse(s)	Steve Irwin ​ ​ (m. 1992; died 2006)​
Children	Bindi Irwin Robert
Relatives	Bob Irwin (father-in-law)

Terri Irwin (born July 20, 1964) is an American-Australian conservationist, author, and television star. She is also the owner of Australia Zoo in Beerwah, Queensland. Terri is widely known as the wife of the famous "Crocodile Hunter," Steve Irwin.

Terri was born in Oregon, USA. When she was 22, she started helping injured wild animals. She met Steve Irwin in Australia in 1991 while visiting animal rescue places. They got married in 1992. Together, they starred in the popular TV show The Crocodile Hunter. They also appeared in spin-off shows like Croc Files, The Crocodile Hunter Diaries, and Crikey! It's the Irwins. Terri and Steve had two children, Bindi and Robert. Steve sadly passed away in 2006 from a stingray injury while filming a documentary.

After Steve's death, Terri became an Australian citizen in 2009. She and her children continue to run Australia Zoo, carrying on Steve's important work.

Terri's Early Life and Animal Rescue

Terri Elizabeth Raines was born in Eugene, Oregon, USA. She was the youngest of three daughters. Her parents, Clarence and Judy Raines, were very interested in protecting the environment. Terri remembers her childhood as being very free. She spent summers riding bikes and hiking, hoping to see wild animals like rattlesnakes.

Her family owned a trucking business. Terri's father often brought home injured animals he found on the roads. This taught Terri from a young age how important it was to help and care for wild animals. In 1986, while working for her family's business, she started her own animal rescue center called Cougar Country. There, she helped predator mammals like foxes, raccoons, bears, and cougars. She would help them get better and then release them back into the wild. Each year, she cared for up to 300 animals.

Terri's Career in Wildlife

In 1989, Terri joined an emergency animal hospital as a veterinary technician. This helped her learn even more about caring for all kinds of animals. Her life was very busy. She was still helping with her family's trucking business, running Cougar Country, and working at the vet hospital. She also had many pets of her own, including 15 cats, several birds, and a dog.

Terri Irwin at Australia Zoo in 1997

In 1991, Terri visited Australia and met Steve Irwin. They fell in love quickly and married just eight months later. Their honeymoon was even filmed for a TV documentary. This footage became the first episode of The Crocodile Hunter, which became a huge success in the US. After their wedding, Terri moved to Australia and closed her Cougar Country project.

Besides their popular TV shows on Animal Planet, the Irwins also released a movie in 2002 called The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course.

In 2018, a new TV series called Crikey! It's the Irwins began. This show focuses on Terri, Bindi, and Robert's lives at Australia Zoo. Bindi's husband, Chandler Powell, also appears on the show. The series has been very popular, with new seasons airing in 2019, 2021, and 2022.

Running Australia Zoo

During their marriage, Steve and Terri owned and ran Australia Zoo in Beerwah, Queensland. They also filmed their wildlife shows there. After Steve's passing, Terri became the sole owner of the zoo. She continues to operate it with her children, Bindi and Robert.

In 2008, Steve's father, Bob Irwin, who originally founded the zoo (as Beerwah Reptile and Fauna Park), decided to step down. He said he wanted to keep his son's dream alive by working on another rescue property.

Australia Zoo continues to grow and add new attractions. In 2019, they announced a new project called "Camp Crocodile." In 2022, the Irwin family also announced "The Crocodile Hunter Lodge," a resort-style hotel on the zoo grounds.

Terri's Personal Life

Marriage to Steve Irwin

Terri (right) and Steve Irwin (left) with Wes Mannion (center)

Terri met Steve Irwin in Australia in 1991. Steve later said it was "love at first sight." They got engaged after four months. On June 4, 1992, they married in Terri's home state of Oregon before moving back to Australia. Terri and Steve had two children: their daughter Bindi, born on July 24, 1998, and their son Robert, born on December 1, 2003.

Terri once spoke about her marriage and working with Steve:

We don't drink, we don't smoke, and we are actually in love and happily married. We love our little girl, we go home to each other at night, and we believe in what we are doing.

Say my husband had a dangerous job and I wasn't with him; I don't know how you go, 'Oh honey, how was it with the police department today? You got all your fingers and toes today?' It would scare me. I'd have to become a police officer and work with him; I couldn't do it.

On September 4, 2006, Steve Irwin passed away after being injured by a stingray while filming an underwater documentary. Terri and her children were in Tasmania at the time.

After Steve's death, Terri announced that a public memorial service would be held at Australia Zoo. She asked people who wanted to attend to donate to Steve's "Wildlife Warriors" fund. The service took place on September 20, 2006, at the zoo's "Crocoseum." Terri thanked everyone for their support.

In an interview, Terri promised to make Australia Zoo even bigger. In October 2006, she presented an award to David Attenborough in London. She said Attenborough was a huge inspiration for Steve. Attenborough praised Steve for teaching many people about the natural world.

Terri wrote a book about her relationship with Steve called My Steve, which was published in 2007.

Terri with daughter Bindi and son Robert, 2011

Terri received the only video footage of the events leading to Steve's death. She stated that the video would never be made public and that her family has not seen it. In a later interview, she confirmed that "all footage has been destroyed."

In a 2018 interview, Terri shared that she has not dated anyone since Steve's death. She said, "There's always the potential to find love again, and that's a beautiful thing . . . but I had my happily ever after." She repeated this in 2024.

Becoming an Australian Citizen

Terri was born in America but became an Australian citizen on November 15, 2009. Her citizenship ceremony was held during the Steve Irwin Day celebrations at Australia Zoo, as a special tribute to her husband.

Terri's Conservation Work

Terri is a strong supporter of wildlife conservation. She has shown her support for the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, an organization that works to protect marine life. One of their ships was even renamed after Steve Irwin.

In 2008, Terri helped fund a three-year research program with Oregon State University's Marine Mammal Institute. This program supported two large research projects on humpback whales. Terri explained that learning about whales helps protect our oceans, which are in danger.

Awards and Recognition

Terri Irwin has received many honors for her work in wildlife conservation and tourism:

• In 2006, she was made an honorary Member of the Order of Australia for her services to wildlife and tourism. When she became an Australian citizen in 2009, this became a full appointment.
• She won the 2007 Queensland Telstra Business Women's Award.
• The University of Queensland gave her an honorary doctorate for her conservation work and support of research.
• In 2014, she was a finalist for Australian of the Year in Queensland.
• In 2023, Terri Irwin was inducted into the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame. This recognized her amazing leadership, her global contributions to wildlife conservation, and her big impact on Australian tourism.

Filmography

See also

In Spanish: Terri Irwin para niños