What Bindi Irwin Wanted The World To Understand When She Gave Her Father's Eulogy
Bindi Irwin was 8 years old when her father, "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin, died during a snorkeling accident with a stingray. Though devastated, the little girl stood at Steve's memorial in front of 5,000 fans and 300 million television viewers to deliver her dad's eulogy. It was a heartwrenching moment, but it was something that young Bindi insisted on doing herself, she says.
Speaking with "Oprah: Where Are They Now?", the now-17-year-old wildlife conservationist opens up about delivering that eulogy, explaining that the whole thing was her idea.
"Before the event actually took place, I came to Mom and said, 'I would like to do this for myself and for everyone else,'" Bindi says.
At the heart of her speech was one clear message.
"I just personally wanted to say to the world -- to anyone watching, to anyone who wanted to hear it -- that we would be carrying on," Bindi says. "And that's what we've chosen to do."
Today, Bindi and her family continue to honor Steve through their work with Australia Zoo, which was founded by Steve's parents in 1970. Each day, Bindi thinks of her father and remains focused on the positive, both past and present.
"We dwell on the happiness in life and just try to remind ourselves of Dad every way possible," she says. "In a way, I think you can still feel him here at the zoo."
Bindi's full interview airs this Saturday, Feb. 13, at 9 p.m. ET on "Oprah: Where Are They Now?"
Related: Proof that Bindi Irwin is truly her father's daughter
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