As the March issue of The Australian Women’s Weekly hits stands today, another Australian icon is marking a milestone of his own.
Robert Irwin, the 20-year-old son of the late Steve Irwin, has become the third man in modern times to grace the cover of the 91-year-old monthly, following in the footsteps of fellow former covermen Hugh Jackman and Prince Harry.
It’s the Wildlife Warrior’s first big interview since his split from 19-year-old Rorie Buckey.
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Irwin didn’t shy away from speaking about his family, namely his late father – who died weeks before Irwin turned three – as well as his mother Terri Irwin, and 25-year-old sister Bindi Irwin.
“When you are three, you don’t really even know what death means,” Irwin told the publication.
“Whereas for Mum and Bindi, it was pure, unfiltered devastation and loss. The way they helped me navigate my life, I am so grateful for it. I will always feel like I am missing a part of myself, but I never feel like I missed out on anything.”
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Irwin also said not a day goes by where he doesn’t think, “Gosh, I wonder what I’d ask Dad if he was here.”
“When you lose a father figure at such a young age, who’s such a commanding presence of positivity and everything that is good in the world, of course all I want is for him to be here for me; to go, ‘What do you think about this, what do you think about that?’ There are so many things I wish I could ask him on so many levels,” he said.
Irwin’s cover interview comes just five days after he and his girlfriend announced they’d parted ways after more than a year of dating. She is not mentioned in the interview once.
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“We wanted to share that we have decided to go our separate ways but profoundly appreciate all of the time spent together and wish one another all the very best into the future,” a statement shared by Buckey to her Instagram Story on Saturday morning, signed by both Buckey and Irwin, began.
“We wish to express the gratitude and respect we have for one another as we continue on our journeys to different paths.”
“We won’t be commenting further on this, and really appreciate your respect and privacy at this time,” the statement concluded.
Irwin shared a matching statement to his own Instagram Story hours later, but has remained tight-lipped about any details since.
Buckey – who is the niece of late Australian actor Heath Ledger – and Irwin are believed to have started dating in late 2022.
The former couple went public with their romance in July 2023, posing together on the red carpet at the Sydney premiere of Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One.
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Irwin and Buckey’s last official public appearance was at the Australian Open in Melbourne, with Buckey, who is from Perth, and Irwin, who is based on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, spotted in the crowd during the women’s Semi Final singles showdown between Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka.
In November 2023, Irwin opened up about his relationship on Nova’s Fitzy and Wippa with Kate Ritchie.
“I feel like life is amazing right now and [I’m] very, very happy,” Irwin said on-air.
Wippa prodded the wildlife photographer to share how serious his former romance with Buckey was “out of 10”, with the radio host asking: “Is it a 10? You know in your heart when it’s a 10.”
Irwin replied: “Love is not a numbers game. You just feel it.”
The Australian Women’s Weekly’s full interview with Robert Irwin, featured in the magazine’s March issue, is on sale from February 22.