Bindi Irwin MIA From Australia Zoo Event After Revealing Shocking Family Fallout With Steve's Dad Bob
Bindi Irwin was noticeably absent from Australia Zoo's school holiday opening show after revealing that it's far from rainbows and butterflies for her family in the Land Down Under.
The 22-year-old mother of one was nowhere in sight on Saturday, as her 24-year-old husband Chandler Powell and her 17-year-old brother Robert Irwin assisted matriarch Terri Irwin, 56, with a jaw-dropping performance at the conversation's "Crocoseum."
The trio wore the signature Australia Zoo khaki uniform, as they interacted with the large reptiles in the croc enclosure. At one point, a fearless Robert even jumped into the water, where he was just feet away from the deadly beast!
Bindi announced she would be taking a break from both social media and "most of [her] work in the public eye" after making some pretty damning claims against her paternal grandfather, Bob, earlier this month.
It was after a fan asked Bindi why Steve Irwin's dad was not included in a recent Father's Day tribute that the new mother made the claims that Bob "has returned gifts I've sent him after he opened them, he has ignored my correspondence and from the time I was a little girl he has ignored me, preferring to spend time doing anything else rather than being with me."
She added, "He has never said a single kind word to me personally."
She also claimed that her mom "still writes to [Bob] and sends birthday and Christmas gifts to him with no response."
According to Bindi, the Irwins have financially supported Bob since 1992, "when he retired from Australia Zoo." She says they send him money weekly and even "built him a house on a beautiful property."
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Bindi explained that even though the situation "breaks [her] heart," she ultimately knows "it is not healthy to engage in an abusive relationship."
Despite her heartbreak and pain, Bindi said she and her family would "always do our best to ensure his well-being" and that she wanted "Bob's happiness in life" but could not fall victim to his alleged behavior any longer.
To make matters worse, a recently unearthed letter from late Crocodile Hunter star to his dad revealed just how far the family has fallen.
"Dear Dad & Mom," the note began. "Probably one of the most unfortunate things in a 'Bloke's Life,' is that it takes over 30 years to realize how essential you have been to build my character, my ethics and most importantly my 'HAPPINESS.'"
"At 32 I am finally starting to figure it out, in good times and in bad – you were there; you're [sic] strength and endurance to raise me will not go unrewarded," he went on. "My Love for you is my strength!"
"For the rest of my life I will reflect on the unbelievably GREAT times we've shared and will continue to share. You're my best friends!" he concluded, signing off, "Thank you Steve."
Following Bindi's claims, another member of the Irwin family named Bethany Wheeler rushed to Bob's defense by angrily disputing Bindi's statements in a Facebook post of her own.
Bob's biographer, Amanda French, also weighed in on the matter, saying he was "devastated" when he heard his granddaughter's accusations.