Bindi Irwin was forced to cancel her appearance at the annual Steve Irwin Gala, an event honoring her late father’s life and legacy, which took place in Las Vegas on May 10.
Health Emergency
According to Robert Irwin, Bindi’s brother, she was unable to attend due to a health emergency. He explained that she had traveled to Las Vegas and was ready for the gala but ended up undergoing surgery after her appendix ruptured.
- "She’s going to be OK," Robert told attendees at the event. "But surgery, out of all the things we were ready for, that was not one of them."
- Bindi had already posted photos on Instagram with her family by the Bellagio resort’s fountains before making plans for surgery.
Robert recalled that Bindi initially wanted to tough it out despite experiencing discomfort and pain. However, after complaining about stomach pains while traveling through airports earlier that month, she required immediate attention due to appendicitis.
- "The surgeon said no, your appendix is going," Robert continued. "That thing’s gotta come out."
- He also revealed that their mother, Terri, would be absent from the celebration to help care for Bindi during her recovery.
Previous Medical Issues
This is not the first major medical issue faced by Bindi. Last year, she underwent surgery related to endometriosis—a chronic condition where abnormal tissue grows outside the uterine walls, causing painful periods among other symptoms. Dr. David Kilmartin shared details about her surgeries last fall:
- "We’re talking enormous chocolate cysts; we’re talking over thirty lesions surgically removed from both ovaries."
Bindi has been open about living with endometriosis since sharing details about her multiple surgeries in January via social media, including graphic images showing the procedures performed on her.
The Steve Irwin Gala
The Steve Irwin Gala honors the late conservationist Steve Irwin, who died in 2006 after being pierced by a stingray barb while filming an underwater documentary series called Ocean’s Deadliest. Steve passed away just days before his daughter Terri gave birth, so he never got to see his children grow up or meet their spouses, including Chippendales dancer Chandler Powell, who married Bindi in March 2022.
Terri has been busy lately hosting a new season of Australia Zoo TV, which airs every Sunday night on Channel Nine. However, she took a break from filming duties to celebrate her father alongside family members, including son Robert, who recently celebrated a milestone birthday.
Event Highlights
Robert participated in several events throughout the day, including meeting fans and signing autographs. He delivered a heartfelt speech thanking everyone involved with this year’s event, which raised thousands of dollars for wildlife conservation efforts across Australia.
- Robert also paid tribute to his wife, Jo Francesca Crews, saying, “I love you more than words can say,” as they shared a romantic dance together under the stars at the Bellagio resort pool area.
In addition, there were several live performances featuring music artists such as Australian singer-songwriter Troy Cassar-Daley and country music star Keith Urban, whose band played hit songs like "Somebody Like You" and "Better Life."
Celebrities, including American actress Nicole Scherzinger, also made appearances, dressed elegantly in a black gown with red lip color while posing at a photo booth alongside her husband, Thom Evans.
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