Steve Irwin Net Worth

What Was Steve Irwin's Net Worth?

Steve Irwin was an Australian wildlife expert, conservationist, and television personality who had a net worth of $10 million at the time of his death in 2006. However, as we detail in the next section below, much of his net worth was made up of illiquid real estate assets, and Steve famously poured nearly all of his income into conservation projects, land acquisitions, and the continued maintenance of Australia Zoo.

Known by his fans as "The Crocodile Hunter," Irwin gained a global following with his gripping wildlife television shows. He was especially knowledgeable about crocodiles and other reptiles, having grown up around them as a child.

He became a worldwide phenomenon with the success of his TV series "The Crocodile Hunter," which debuted in 1996 and ran until 2007. Along with his wife, Terri, Steve later went on to host shows like "Croc Files," "The Crocodile Hunter Diaries," and "New Breed Vets." Outside of his television exploits, Irwin co-owned and operated the Australia Zoo with his wife. The zoo was initially founded by Steve's parents.

In 2006, Irwin died in an accident while filming in Australia's Great Barrier Reef. While swimming, he was fatally pierced in the chest by a short-tailed stingray. News of his passing was met by grieving fans around the world. A number of organizations and high-profile celebrities paid tribute to Irwin, and various zoos, parks, and streets now carry his name. His wife and two children continue to operate the Australia Zoo, in Beerwah, Queensland, that Steve's parents established in the 1970s.

Estate Value

Steve and Teri's biggest asset (and passion) was the 750-acre Australia Zoo in Beerwah, Queensland. The zoo was actually founded by Steve's parents, Bob and Lyn Irwin, in 1970. Teri inherited the zoo upon Steve's death.

In a July 2024 interview with a publication called Australian Financial Review, Teri revealed that Steve's death actually left the family in a "precarious" financial position. Despite being one of the most famous people in the world at the time of his death, Teri revealed that Steve poured all of the money he ever earned back into conservation projects and into maintaining the Australia Zoo. The primary benefit Teri received was a single life insurance policy worth $200,000, which apparently was not enough to cover payroll at the zoo. Teri also revealed that Steve had previously set up a 10-year trust to benefit his children, ensuring that royalties and income from his likeness would go to them. Furthermore, upon Teri's death, Robert and Bindi will inherit ownership of Australia Zoo. In 2008, it was rumored that Teri was in talks to sell Australia Zoo to Animal Planet for a significant sum and then help establish a Disney-style wildlife theme park. Teri denied the rumors at the time.

In the years after Steve's death, Teri sold several non-essential properties to help stabilize the family's finances and keep the zoo afloat. These included a luxury waterfront home in Minyama that she offloaded at a $380,000 loss, a 95-hectare rural parcel in Peachester listed for $1.25 million, and multiple undeveloped lots bordering the zoo that had originally been purchased for future expansion. She also completed a strategic land swap with the Queensland government, trading 200 hectares near Mt. Beerwah for more zoo-adjacent forest land better suited for exhibits. While Terri parted with these peripheral assets, she steadfastly held onto all of the family's conservation reserves—including a 118,000-acre sanctuary in the Brigalow Belt and the 135,000-hectare Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve on Cape York—ensuring Steve's conservation legacy remained intact.

In 2024, an Australian Financial Review profile noted that the Irwins' landholdings, primarily in Queensland, were conservatively estimated to be worth at least $25 million.

In July 2022, the Irwin family opened The Crocodile Hunter Lodge, a boutique hotel next door to the Australia Zoo. Guests at the lodge have unlimited access to the zoo and free shuttle service back and forth.

Early Life

Stephen Robert Irwin was born on February 22nd, 1962, in Upper Ferntree Gully, Victoria, Australia. He was raised by Robert "Bob" Irwin, a well-known Australian naturalist and zookeeper who founded the Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park. In 1970, Steve moved with his family to Queensland, where he attended secondary school. His father helped him learn about reptiles from an early age, and he quickly became involved in his father's zoo in a number of different ways, including animal feeding and maintenance of enclosures. At the age of six, he was given a 12-foot scrub python as a pet. By nine, he was an experienced crocodile handler and wrestled his first croc under his father's supervision. In 1991, he took over the management of the park and renamed it the Australia Zoo.

Personal Life

Steve Irwin first met Terri Raines, today known as Terri Irwin, in 1991 while she was visiting the Australia Zoo. The relationship has been described as "love at first sight," and they were engaged within four months. In 1992, they were married, and in 1998, they welcomed their first child into the world, a daughter named Bindi. In 2003, they had another child together, a son named Robert. Irwin stated on numerous occasions that he wanted to be remembered primarily as a "good dad."

The Crocodile Hunter

Terri and Steve Irwin famously spent their honeymoon filming crocodile relocations in the wild—footage that would become the first episode of their breakout television series, "The Crocodile Hunter." Filmed by producer John Stainton, the show debuted on Australian television in 1996 and was introduced to North American audiences in 1997. It quickly became a global phenomenon, eventually reaching over 500 million viewers in more than 130 countries.

The show's success was driven largely by Steve's boundless energy, fearless animal encounters, and thick Australian accent, along with his now-iconic catchphrase, "Crikey!" His genuine passion for wildlife, combined with a playful onscreen presence, helped engage a generation of viewers and brought conservation issues into mainstream entertainment. Legendary natural historian David Attenborough once praised Irwin for his ability to inspire young people to care about the natural world.

"The Crocodile Hunter" continued to thrive for several years and concluded with a posthumously aired three-hour special featuring Steve's adventures in the Himalayas, the Yangtze River, Borneo, and Kruger National Park. In addition to the flagship series, Irwin appeared in spinoffs such as "Croc Files," "The Crocodile Hunter Diaries," and "New Breed Vets." He also made guest appearances on talk shows and in commercials, and starred in the 2002 feature film "The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course," his only leading movie role.

Outside of television, Steve remained deeply involved in the ongoing expansion and modernization of Australia Zoo. He was also widely recognized for his conservation advocacy, frequently encouraging eco-conscious tourism and speaking out against the purchase of products like turtle shells and shark-fin soup. His charisma, authenticity, and relentless dedication helped make wildlife conservation a topic of global conversation.

In 2002, Steve and Terri co-founded Wildlife Warriors, a conservation nonprofit that continues to fund habitat protection, wildlife hospitals, and global rescue efforts. Today, it remains a cornerstone of the Irwin family's conservation mission.

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Death

In September of 2006, Steve Irwin was pierced in the chest by a stingray barb while filming in the Great Barrier Reef. The stinger pierced his thoracic wall and his heart, causing serious trauma and almost instantaneous death. The animal that struck Steve was a short-tailed stingray, and these animals are capable of inflicting lethal wounds, especially if the stinger comes in contact with a vital organ. The stingers also contain a neurotoxin that restricts smooth muscle contraction and slows blood circulation. However, Steve Irwin likely did not experience any of the venom's effects, as his death was caused by the physical puncturing of his heart rather than any neurotoxic effects.

It's worth pointing out that Steve Irwin was incredibly unfortunate to be pierced not only in the heart but also by an animal that is not known to be aggressive. Irwin's death is believed to be the only fatal stingray attack caught on camera, and it remains the most famous example of a fatal stingray attack.

By the time of his death, Steve and Terri Irwin had amassed hundreds of thousands of acres of land across Queensland for conservation purposes—including what would later become the 135,000-hectare Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve on Cape York and a 118,000-acre sanctuary in the Brigalow Belt.

Controversies

Irwin was seen as a slightly controversial figure in many circles. Various critics have accused Steve of disturbing wildlife, and he was known to handle animals in a slightly rough manner at times, once accused of disturbing whales, seals, and penguins while in Antarctica. He also received considerable criticism after feeding a crocodile while holding his one-month-old son in his arms. Irwin later defended the incident, insisting Robert was never in danger and that strict safety protocols had been followed. Nonetheless, the footage led to a media firestorm and prompted changes to Australia's crocodile-handling laws.

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