Why Bob Irwin hasn't spoken to granddaughter Bindi in 10 years
When Bindi Irwin will finally say her vows to fiance Chandler Powell, at Australia Zoo in 2020, her grandfather Bob Irwin will not be there to celebrate with her.
While talking to The Courier Mail, the 80-year-old environmentalist and conservationist said so far, he and his wife Judy had not been invited to his granddaughter's wedding.
They don’t expect to either however, as they have not seen each other in over ten years.
The father of Steve Irwin still insists there is no rift between him and his son’s family, despite the “upsetting rumours”.
Mr Irwin referenced a particularly accusatory article that was published after the couple announced their engagement that interpreted his “no comment” as a sign of a deep split.
“Although a lot of untruths and rubbish and absolute garbage have been written by scumbags in the past, you reach a point where you’ve had enough. It’s important everybody knows the truth, not just Bob and Bindi,” he told the publication.
“No, I haven’t had an invite to the wedding and, to be perfectly honest, I wouldn’t expect to be invited to the wedding.”
Rumours surrounding the relationship between Bob and his grandchildren intensified in 2015, weeks after then 17-year-old Bindi won the US Dancing With the Stars.
Bob told the Herald Sun he was “so proud of her and what she’s achieved”.
“She seems to be able to take on everything that life throws at her — she’s definitely got an amazing future ahead of her,” he said.
The 80-year-old admitted that he and Bindi were not in touch.
“She seems to be able to take on everything that life throws at her — she’s definitely got an amazing future ahead of her,” he said.
“It’s sad but it’s just the way things are.”
Bob was last photographed with his daughter-in-law and grandchildren in 2007, according to Getty Images, at the Steve Irwin Memorial Day at Australia Zoo.
Rumours of a family rift began when Bob resigned from his position at Australia Zoo, due to differences in opinion when it came to operating the national attraction.
Now he lives with his wide in Kingaroy, Queensland and says he just wants what is best for his grand kids.
“I want (Bindi and Robert, 15) to be able to do what they want from day to day, enjoy life, enjoy the animals, achieve things, without worrying about things that should never be presented to them (like that article),” he said.
“Much the same as any other parent or grandparent, I would wish (Bindi and Chandler) all the best — which I do — and hope things go really, really well.”
Scroll through the gallery above to see Bindi Irwin with her fiance, Chandler.