“It’s just surrounding yourself with great family and friends and people who will support you,” says Terri. “I really miss Steve but, but I’m not a lonely person.”
From left: Robert, Bindi and Terri Irwin.Jason Ierace
Faced with the daunting task of running the zoo and raising two young children alone, Terri, 54, persevered. “It was a little bit terrifying to have to step up and take the till,” she recalls, “but I thought about it and said, ‘Let’s carry on as if Steve was still here.’”
Dedicated to honoring Steve’s legacy, the family continues to expand the Australia Zoo while traveling the world to spread the message of their conservation nonprofitWildlife Warriors. They also made their long-awaited return to television in October with a new series on Animal PlanetCrikey! It’s the Irwins(Sundays at 8 p.m.)
Newspix/Getty
For Terri, finding love again isn’t a huge priority — but she’s not writing it off completely. “I think it’s really important to never say never about anything, but I’m really not looking,” she says, “I feel like 14 years with Steve was like 400 years of real life. It was the most epic, adventurous, amazing experience.”
(As for tabloid rumors linking her to Aussie pal Russell Crowe, Terri has laughed them off, saying Crowe is just “a great friend.”)
For the full story on the Irwin family, pick up the latest issue of People on newsstands Dec. 26.
source: people.com
