Terri Irwin

Terri Irwin was born Theresa Penelope Raines{{Cite web |title=Irwin, Terri - Full record view - Libraries Australia Search |url=https://librariesaustralia.nla.gov.au/search/display?dbid=auth&id=41328668 |access-date=2022-10-18 |website=librariesaustralia.nla.gov.au}} in Eugene, Oregon, United States,{{cite news |last1=Arnold |first1=Gary |date=July 12, 2002 |title=The Steve and Terri Show; Crocodile Hunters Move to the Big screen |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-88820925.html |url-status=dead |url-access= |access-date=April 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170424175944/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-88820925.html |archive-date=April 24, 2017}} the youngest of three daughters of environmentalist parents, Clarence and Judy Raines (d. 2014). Commenting on her childhood, she said, "My friends and I were truly 'free-range kids.' Summers were spent bicycling around Alton Baker Park or hiking up Spencer Butte in the hopes of catching a glimpse of one of the shy rattlesnakes that sought refuge in the rock escarpments. Winters were spent hoping the Willamette Valley would get snow."{{cite web|work=EugeneMagazine|url=https://eugenemagazine.com/feature-stories/before-they-were-stars/|title=Before They Were Stars|access-date=May 1, 2018|date=January 2017|author=Kennedy, William}}

Her family owned a long-haul trucking business and, during her childhood, her father constantly brought home injured animals from the highways on which his trucks traveled; this eventually instilled in her an ongoing commitment to saving and rehabilitating wild animals. While working in the family business in 1986, she started a rehabilitation facility called Cougar Country{{cite web|work=The Courier Mail|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/mess-on-his-wedding-day/news-story/5a82d374b7938403c51f950baf6ebe54?sv=e0caf163b4623008ba161932d77a5f0e|title=Mess on his wedding day|date=September 8, 2006|access-date=April 30, 2018|author=Courier Mail Staff}} to re-educate and release predator mammals such as foxes, raccoons, bears, bobcats, and cougars back into the wild.{{cite news|last1=Gire|first1=Dann|title=Animal Attraction for Wildlife Lovers Steve and Terri Irwin, Life's Greatest Hunt Led to Romance|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-88640271.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170424175946/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-88640271.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 24, 2017|url-access=|access-date=April 24, 2017|work=Daily Herald|date=July 5, 2002|quote=The former Terri Raines grew up in Eugene, Ore., where she started a rehab facility for injured bears, cougars, raccoons and bobcats so they could be safely set free in the wild.}} At the facility, she handled up to 300 animals each year.{{cite web|title=About Steve & Terri|url=http://www.crocodilehunter.com.au/crocodile_hunter/about_steve_terri/about.html|work=The Crocodile Hunter|access-date=May 1, 2018|archive-date=March 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190313114724/http://www.crocodilehunter.com.au/crocodile_hunter/about_steve_terri/about.html|url-status=dead}}

Terri joined an emergency veterinary hospital in 1989 as a veterinary technician to gain further knowledge on the care and support to all kinds of animals. Her life was very busy, as she was still helping her father run the family business, rehabilitating animals through her Cougar Country, and working at the vet hospital. In addition, she had 15 cats of her own, several birds, and a dog.

File:Terri Irwin, The Croc Hunter's Wife.jpg in 1997]]

In 1991, Terri visited Australia and there met Steve Irwin. They married eight months after their first meeting. Their first television documentary was filmed on their honeymoon. The footage, shot by John Stainton, became the first episode of The Crocodile Hunter,{{cite news|last1=Mann|first1=Simon|title=Crocodile Hunter died as he lived in nature's danger zone|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/crocodile-hunter-died-as-he-lived/2006/09/04/1157222072717.html?page=fullpage|access-date=March 1, 2016|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=September 5, 2006}} which later became successful in the US. The couple settled in Australia shortly after their wedding, with Terri making the decision to leave the Cougar Country project.

In addition to their two popular television programs shown on the Animal Planet television network in the US, in 2002, the Irwins released a feature film, The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course.{{cite web |title=The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course |url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=crocodilehunter.htm|website=boxofficemojo.com|publisher=Box Office Mojo |access-date=October 8, 2015 |date=December 2012}}

In 2018, the series Crikey! It's the Irwins began airing, which focuses on the lives of Terri, Bindi, and Robert at Australia Zoo. It also features Bindi's husband Chandler Powell.{{Citation |title=Crikey! It's The Irwins |url=https://www.discovery.com/shows/crikey-its-the-irwins |access-date=2023-05-03 |language=en}} The series was renewed for a second season in 2019 and season 2 officially aired on 5 October 2019.{{Cite web |date=2019-10-08 |title=Showbuzzdaily's Top 150 Saturday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 10.5.2019 |website=Showbuzzdaily.com |url=http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-saturday-cable-originals-network-finals-10-5-2019.html |access-date=2023-05-03 |archive-date=October 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191009062253/http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-saturday-cable-originals-network-finals-10-5-2019.html |url-status=dead }} After a one year hiatus, the show's third season began airing on 7 February 2021, and ended on 18 April 2021.{{Cite news |last=Gani |first=Ayesha |date=2020-12-28 |title=When Will Crikey! It's the Irwins Season 3 Premiere on Animal Planet? |url=https://thecinemaholic.com/crikey-its-the-irwins-hulu/ |access-date=2023-05-03 |website=The Cinemaholic |language=en-US}} The series returned for a fourth season in January 2022.{{Cite web |last=Andaloro |first=Angela |date=2021-10-29 |title=Crikey! It's The Irwins Season 4 - Here's What We Can Tell Fans So Far |url=https://www.thelist.com/646751/crikey-its-the-irwins-season-4-release-date-cast-and-new-details/ |access-date=2023-05-03 |website=The List |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Dean |first=Frances |date=2021-10-27 |title=Crikey! It's The Irwins Season 4 - Here's What We Can Tell Fans So Far |url=https://www.nickiswift.com/644923/crikey-its-the-irwins-season-4-release-date-cast-and-more-information/ |access-date=2023-05-03 |website=Nicki Swift |language=en-US}}{{Citation |title=Crikey! It's the Irwins Season 4 |url=https://trakt.tv/shows/crikey-it-s-the-irwins/seasons/4 |access-date=2023-05-03}}

During their marriage, Steve and Terri owned and operated Australia Zoo in Beerwah, Queensland, as well as filming their TV wildlife documentary series, The Crocodile Hunter.{{Cite web |title=History of Australia Zoo - From The Very Beginning To Now |url=https://www.australiazoo.com.au/about-us/history/ |access-date=2023-05-03 |language=en-AU}} Following Steve's death, Terri became the sole owner of the zoo and continued to operate it with her children.

On March 2, 2008, after Steve's death, it was announced that Steve's father Bob Irwin had resigned from Australia Zoo, which he had founded (as Beerwah Reptile and Fauna Park). In a statement, he thanked the staff of the zoo and stated that this decision was in order to "keep his son's dream alive" while he worked on another rescue property with his wife. At that time, the zoo was being sued for $2.5 million by a debt collection agency,{{cite news |date=March 1, 2008 |title=Bob Irwin quits Steve's zoo |work=The Courier-Mail |url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/bob-irwin-quits-steves-zoo/story-e6freo8c-1111115690240 |access-date=October 8, 2015}} but the lawsuit was later dismissed by the court.{{cite news |last=Ross |first=Norrie |date=May 8, 2008 |title=Terri Irwin and Australia Zoo defeat huge lawsuit |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/national/terri-irwin-defeats-huge-lawsuit/story-e6freuzr-1111116278540 |access-date=September 24, 2013}}

In 2019, the zoo announced a new $8 million project "Camp Crocodile", which was originally expected to draw 39,000 visitors each year.{{Cite web |date=2019-04-15 |title=Australia Zoo announces 'exciting' $8M wildlife camping experience |url=https://startsat60.com/media/travel/australia-zoo-announces-exciting-8m-wildlife-camping-experience |access-date=2023-05-03 |website=Starts at 60 |language=en-AU}} In 2022, the Irwin family announced the construction of "The Crocodile Hunter Lodge", a resort style accommodation centre on the grounds of the zoo.{{Cite web |title=Steve Irwin's Family Just Opened a Luxury Lodge at the Australia Zoo to Honor His Legacy — Take a Look Inside |url=https://www.travelandleisure.com/hotels-resorts/steve-irwin-family-hotel-australia-zoo-opens |access-date=2023-05-03 |website=Travel + Leisure |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Grossetti |first=Carla |date=2023-04-04 |title=Stay in Australia Zoo's new luxurious Crocodile Hunter Lodge |url=https://www.australiantraveller.com/qld/sunshine-coast/crocodile-hunter-lodge/ |access-date=2023-05-03 |website=Australian Traveller}}{{Cite web |title=The Crocodile Hunter Lodge opens on the Sunshine Coast |url=https://www.queensland.com/au/en/plan-your-holiday/news-and-articles/queensland-news/crocodile-hunter-lodge-opens-sunshine-coast |access-date=2023-05-03 |website=Queensland |language=en}}

File:Steve irwin wes terri.jpg (centre)]]

Terri met Steve Irwin in Australia in 1991. In 1991, Terri went on a tour of Australia, and while visiting wildlife rehabilitation facilities, she had a chance meeting with Steve Irwin, whose father had founded Australia Zoo. Steve would later say that "it was love at first sight."{{cite web |date=March 22, 2004 |title=Steve and Terri Irwin |url=http://www.abc.net.au/tv/enoughrope/transcripts/s1071026.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160512204142/http://www.abc.net.au/tv/enoughrope/transcripts/s1071026.htm |archive-date=May 12, 2016 |access-date=May 12, 2017 |website=Enough Rope with Andrew Denton}} They were engaged after four months and on June 4, 1992, they married in Terri's home state of Eugene, Oregon{{cite news |last1=Hogue |first1=Theresa |date=September 22, 2006 |title='Crocodile Hunter' wed by local pastor |work=Corvallis Gazette-Times |url=http://www.gazettetimes.com/news/local/crocodile-hunter-wed-by-local-pastor/article_4ef20700-7e86-594e-b8d9-06a2b67560de.html |access-date=May 12, 2017}} before returning to live in Australia. The Irwins had two children: daughter Bindi on July 24, 1998, and son Robert on December 1, 2003.{{cite news|last1=Mann|first1=Simon|title=Call of the wild|url=http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=smh&kw=terri+irwin&pb=all_pubs&dt=selectRange&dr=entire&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=author&sf=headline&rc=150&rm=200&sp=nrm&clsPage=1&docID=AGE0609051N6FK4HVTNK|access-date=March 1, 2016|work=The Age|date=September 5, 2006}}

In an interview before the birth of their second child, Terri stated about her marriage and working alongside her husband:

{{blockquote|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.{{cite web|last=Murray|first=Rebecca|title="Crocodile Hunter - Collision Course" Interview|url=http://movies.about-dot-com/library/weekly/aa070502a.htm|work=About-dot-com|access-date=September 24, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928024930/http://movies.about-dot-com/library/weekly/aa070502a.htm|archive-date=September 28, 2013|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}}}

Terri and her children were reportedly trekking in Cradle Mountain, Tasmania, on the morning of September 4, 2006, when Steve died after sustaining heart injuries from a short-tail stingray barb that pierced his chest. He was filming an underwater documentary at the time at Batt Reef near Port Douglas in Queensland.{{cite news|last=Staines|first=Jason|title=Crocodile man, Steve Irwin, dies|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/crocodile-hunter-dies/2006/09/04/1157222051494.html|access-date=September 24, 2013|newspaper=The Age|date=September 4, 2006}}

In her first statement after her husband's death, Irwin announced that the Australian memorial service would be open to the public, and that people who wished to attend should make a donation to Irwin's "Wildlife Warriors" fund. The service was held on September 20, 2006 at Australia Zoo's "Crocoseum", a 5,500-seat open-air amphitheater which Steve had built at the zoo. She also thanked well-wishers for their "overwhelming outpouring of love, support and prayers for [her] family."{{cite news|title='Crocoseum' tribute set for Irwin|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/5340906.stm|access-date=September 24, 2013|newspaper=BBC News|date=September 13, 2006}}

Australian TV network Channel 9 screened an interview between Irwin and local presenter Ray Martin, on September 27, 2006. During the interview, she said, "And I'll make Australia Zoo bigger. I'll make it bigger . . . because I promised." On October 31, 2006, Irwin was invited to the Royal Albert Hall to present a Special Recognition Award to Sir David Attenborough at the British National Television Awards.{{cite news | title = Wildlife legend honoured | work = ITN News | publisher = ITN | date = November 1, 2006 | url = http://www.itn.co.uk/news/entertainment_6bf41e7a55ac3b005e7946fe9fb592da.html | access-date = November 1, 2006 | archive-date = March 20, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200320143150/https://www.itn.co.uk/news/entertainment_6bf41e7a55ac3b005e7946fe9fb592da.html | url-status = dead }} During a short speech, she cited Attenborough as a great inspiration for her husband, saying, "If there's one person, other than his father, who directly inspired my husband, it's the person being honoured tonight... [Steve's] real, true love was conservation – and the influence of tonight's recipient in preserving the natural world has been immense." Attenborough reciprocated by praising her husband for introducing many people to the natural world, saying, "He taught them how wonderful and exciting it was; he was a born communicator."{{cite news |date=November 2, 2006 |title=Terri Irwin presents award to Attenborough |work=The Australian |publisher=News.com.au |url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20687207-5006786,00.html |url-status=dead |access-date=November 3, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071101045653/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20687207-5006786,00.html |archive-date=November 1, 2007}}

Irwin published a memoir, My Steve, about her relationship and marriage with Steve Irwin, in 2007.{{cite book |author=Irwin, Terri |title=My Steve |publisher=Simon & Schuster Australia |year=2008 |isbn=978-0-731-81413-8}}

File:Robert and Bindi Irwin (6409144037).jpg and son Robert, 2011|254x254px]]

On January 3, 2007, the only video footage showing the events that led to Steve Irwin's death was handed over to Terri, who said the video would never become public, and noted that her family has not seen the video either. In a January 11, 2007, interview with Access Hollywood, Terri said "all footage has been destroyed."

In a 2018 interview, Terri told People magazine that she had not dated or had a relationship since her husband's death.{{cite web|work=People TV|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dJwkpyM3zk |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/2dJwkpyM3zk |archive-date=December 13, 2021 |url-status=live|via=YouTube|date=January 31, 2018|title=Terri Irwin Hasn't Been On A Date Since Losing Steve: 'Already Had My Happily Ever After'|access-date=May 1, 2018}}{{cbignore}} "There's always the potential to find love again, and that's a beautiful thing . . . but I had my happily ever after," she stated, "[so] I'm doing OK." She iterated this stance when interviewed in 2024 by US Magazine.{{Cite web|url=https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/terri-irwin-isnt-interested-in-dating-18-years-after-steves-death/|title=Terri Irwin Isn't Interested in Dating 18 Years After Steve's Death|first=Kaitlin|last=Simpson|date=May 30, 2024|website=Us Weekly}}

In June 2021, Irwin's daughter Bindi claimed of her grandfather, Bob Irwin, that her entire life "has been psychological abuse from him." She also stated that Bob "never said a single kind word to her personally",{{Cite web|title=Bindi Irwin Reveals Grandfather's "Abusive" Relationship on Social Media|url=https://www.distractify.com/p/bindi-irwin-family-feud|access-date=2021-09-13|website=Distractify|date=6 July 2021 |language=en-US}} and had “shown no interest” in spending time with her or her family. Irwin denied these comments through a spokesperson not long after.{{Cite web|date=2021-06-21|title='He'll take it to his grave': Bob Irwin's biographer on Bindi's 'abuse' claims|url=https://7news.com.au/entertainment/bindi-irwin/bob-irwin-biographer-amanda-french-says-hes-devastated-by-bindis-abusive-claim-c-3181150|access-date=2021-09-13|website=7NEWS|language=en}}

American by birth, Terri became an Australian citizen on November 15, 2009. In a tribute to her husband, Steve, the citizenship ceremony was held during the Steve Irwin Day celebrations in Australia Zoo's Crocoseum.{{cite web |url=http://www.australiazoo.com.au/about-us/zoo-gossip/650-terri-calls-australia-home--officially |title=Terri calls Australia home - officially! |website=australiazoo.com |publisher=Australia Zoo |access-date=October 8, 2015 |date=November 20, 2009 |archive-date=July 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180723004024/http://www.australiazoo.com.au/about-us/zoo-gossip/650-terri-calls-australia-home--officially |url-status=dead }}

Irwin has expressed support for the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and was present at the launching of one of the organization's vessels, which was renamed after her husband.{{cite news|title=Steve Irwin had can-opener plan to take on whalers|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/irwins-plan-to-take-on-whalers/story-e6freoof-1111117965079|access-date= September 24, 2013|newspaper=The Courier-Mail|date=November 6, 2008}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/nov2008/2008-11-08-01.asp|title=Environment News Service – Sea Shepherd Heads for Antarctic Battle With Japanese Whalers|access-date=November 16, 2008|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304050249/http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/nov2008/2008-11-08-01.asp|url-status=dead}}

In 2008, Irwin signed on to a three-year research program in correspondence with Australia Zoo supporting the Marine Mammal Institute at Oregon State University, funding two US$250,000 research projects on humpback whales.{{cite web|url=http://blog.oregonlive.com/breakingnews/2008/06/irwin_osu_announce_funding_for.html|work=The Oregonian|location=Portland, Oregon|title=Irwin, OSU announce funding for whale studies|access-date=May 1, 2018|date=June 25, 2008|agency=Associated Press}} "Learning about whales is part of a bigger picture," she said of the project. "Our oceans are in jeopardy and the more research we gather about whales, the more knowledge we have to help us save, protect and preserve our delicate oceans."

In 2006, Irwin was made an honorary Member of the Order of Australia for services to wildlife conservation and the tourism industry.{{Cite web |title=Mrs Terri Irwin [H] |url=https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1129457 |access-date=1 August 2024 |website=Australian Honours System}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.australiazoo.com.au/australia_zoo/press_releases/2006/?news=70|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060831104345/http://www.australiazoo.com.au/australia_zoo/press_releases/2006/?news=70|url-status=dead|title=Australia Zoo – In The News – Terri Irwin appointed Order of Australia|archivedate=August 31, 2006}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.australiazoo.com.au/australia_zoo/press_releases/2006/?news=95|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060830190753/http://www.australiazoo.com.au/australia_zoo/press_releases/2006/?news=95|url-status=dead|title=Australia Zoo – In The News – Terri becomes a casual honorary Aussie for a day|archivedate=August 30, 2006}} (Honorary appointments to the Order of Australia is the appointment rank to non-citizens of Australia; this became a substantive appointment when she became an Australian citizen in 2009.){{Cite web |url=http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/awards/honorary.cfm |title=It's an Honour – Honours – Awards – Honorary Awards |access-date=September 17, 2006 |archive-date=May 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180505135245/http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/awards/honorary.cfm |url-status=dead }}

Irwin won the 2007 Queensland Telstra Business Women's Award.{{cite web|title=2007 Telstra Business Women's Awards|url=https://www.telstrabusinesswomensawards.com/brilliant-business-women/past-winners/?y=2007|website=Telstra Business Women's Awards|access-date=June 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180816093658/https://www.telstrabusinesswomensawards.com/brilliant-business-women/past-winners/?y=2007|archive-date=August 16, 2018|url-status=usurped}}

She has been awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Queensland for her work in conservation and support of high-quality research.{{cite news|url=http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/terri-irwin-awarded-an-honorary-doctorate-at-the-university-of-queensland-20150724-gik32l.html|title=Terri Irwin awarded an honorary doctorate at the University of Queensland|author=Cameron Atfield|date=July 24, 2015|publisher=Brisbane Times}}

In 2014, Irwin was a Queensland finalist for Australian of the Year.{{cite web|work=Australian of the Year|url=http://www.australianoftheyear.org.au/honour-roll/?view=fullView&recipientID=1163|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011140634/http://www.australianoftheyear.org.au/honour-roll/?view=fullView&recipientID=1163|archive-date=October 11, 2014|title=State Finalist Australian of the Year 2015: Terri Irwin}}

In 2023, Terri Irwin was inducted into the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame in recognition of her exceptional business leadership, her internationally acclaimed contributions to wildlife and habitat conservation, and her significant impact on Australian tourism.{{Cite web |title=Dr Terri Irwin AM |url=https://leaders.slq.qld.gov.au/inductees/dr-terri-irwin-am |access-date=31 May 2024 |website=Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame Fellowship}}

• {{cite book|last1=Irwin|first1=Terri|last2=Irwin|first2=Steve|title=The Crocodile Hunter: The Incredible Life and Adventures of Steve and Terri Irwin|year=2002|publisher=Penguin|isbn=978-1-101-22009-2}}
• {{cite book |last=Irwin |first=Terri |title=My Steve |title-link=My Steve |publisher=Simon & Schuster Australia |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-731-81413-8}}

{{reflist}}

• {{Commons category-inline}}
• [http://www.crocodilehunter.com.au/ The Irwins' website, The Crocodile Hunter]
• {{IMDb name|id=0410457|name=Terri Irwin}}
• [http://www.cbc.ca/thehour/video.php?id=1396 Terri Irwin interview]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070707045824/http://animal.discovery.com/tv/planets-best/terri-bindi/terri-bindi_02.html Animal Planet profile] of Terri Irwin

{{Steve Irwin}}

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Category:1964 births

Category:American conservationists

Category:American emigrants to Australia

Category:American naturalists

Category:American television personalities

Category:American women television personalities

Category:Australian conservationists

Category:Australian naturalists

Category:Australian television personalities

Category:Australian women television personalities

Terri

Category:Living people

Category:Members of the Order of Australia

Category:Naturalised citizens of Australia

Category:Writers from Eugene, Oregon

Category:Zoo owners