Bindi Irwin missed an important family function due to an unexpected medical emergency.
The 26-year-old was hospitalized and underwent emergency surgery after her appendix ruptured, her brother, Robert Irwin, confirmed at their late father Steve Irwin’s annual gala on Saturday.
“She’s going to be OK, but surgery — out of all the things we were ready for, that was not one of them,” Robert, 21, said about Bindi in an interview with People at the event in Las Vegas.
“She’s just come out the other side of endometriosis and now the appendix goes,” Robert continued. “Health is so important — it really is.”
Robert said his sister, who underwent surgery for endometriosis in March 2023, was initially going to attend the gala despite her health issues.
“She came to Las Vegas and was ready to come to the gala, put on a brave face in a lot of discomfort and a lot of pain and said, ‘Nope, I’m just going to tough it out, I’m going to go for it,’ ” Robert explained. “But the surgeon said, ‘No, your appendix is going. That thing’s gotta come out.’ Health has to come first.”
Robert confirmed that his mom, Terri Irwin, 60, was also skipping the gala to help Bindi recover.
“She’s very sad,” he said about Bindi. “She’s devastated that she and Mom can’t be here, but I know she’ll make a speedy recovery.”
Robert added of his sister, “Bindi has become an incredible advocate for women’s health, particularly, and I think it’s really important to prioritize getting help.”
One day before the gala, Bindi shared photos of herself with her brother and her mom in Las Vegas.
“Khaki by day – Bellagio chic by night! ✨ Here in #LasVegas for the #SteveIrwinGala raising funds and awareness for Wildlife Warriors,” she wrote. “Supporting conservation and remembering Dad’s extraordinary legacy. Enormous gratitude to everyone for your support as we continue to do all that we can to protect wildlife and wild places for the future generations.”
The Steve Irwin Gala takes place annually and raises funds to continue the late star’s conservation work worldwide. Steve died from a stingray attack at age 44 in Sept. 2006.
This story is developing…
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
