Terri Irwin offered reassuring words about her daughter Bindi Irwin's health condition after the 27-year-old conservationist was unable to attend the third annual Steve Irwin Gala held Saturday, May 2, at the Bellagio in Las Vegas.
Speaking to E! News during a red carpet interview alongside her son Robert Irwin, the 61-year-old family matriarch addressed Bindi's ongoing struggle with endometriosis and explained why the condition prevented her attendance at the event honoring her late husband's conservation legacy.
"Bindi is doing so much better now," Terri told the outlet while standing with Robert, 22. "Things like a lot of travel are a bit challenging for her at the moment and so she'll be here next year to celebrate this wonderful night."
The gala celebrates the achievements of Steve Irwin, the beloved wildlife expert who died in September 2006 following a fatal snorkeling interaction with a short-tail stingray in Queensland, Australia. He was 44 years old. Terri and Steve were married for 14 years before his tragic death.
Despite her physical absence, Terri emphasized that Bindi was present "in spirit" along with her husband Chandler Powell and their daughter Grace, 5. The family's decision to keep Bindi closer to home reflects the practical challenges posed by her medical condition.
"This year she's just staying a little close to home," Terri explained. "So, ironically, it's less taxing for her to be home feeding crocodiles."
This marks the second consecutive year Bindi has missed the annual gala due to health complications. In May 2025, she was forced to skip the event after undergoing emergency surgery for a ruptured appendix, occurring just one day after she spoke candidly about her endometriosis struggles.
Endometriosis, as described by Mayo Clinic, is "an often-painful condition in which tissue that is similar to the inner lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus." The condition affects millions of women worldwide and often goes undiagnosed for years.
Speaking to Us Weekly in May 2025, just one day before her emergency appendix surgery, Bindi articulated the profound impact of chronic illness. "If you have good health you can do anything, but when you're feeling unwell it's impossible to function in life," she said.
Following that surgery, the Dancing With the Stars season 21 champion shared her recovery journey with followers on Instagram. "Healing," she captioned a carousel of hospital photos. "Thank you for your incredible words of support and kindness. The reason I share my health journey is because more girls and women desperately need answers to their undiagnosed pain."
Bindi has become increasingly vocal about her health struggles, particularly during Endometriosis Australia Awareness Month in March. In a lengthy Instagram post published March 31, she revealed the extensive medical interventions she has undergone in recent years.
"In the last three years, I've had over 50 endometriosis lesions cut out of my body. A chocolate cyst that was adhering my ovary to my side was removed. An appendectomy and a hernia repair. I've felt indescribable, inescapable pain," Bindi wrote. "Trying to keep my invisible illness to myself after being told by doctors it was just 'part of being a woman.' I spent 10 years being undiagnosed."
Her advocacy extends beyond personal disclosure to encouraging others facing similar challenges. She directed followers to resources including @seckinmd and @endofound for additional information and support.
"No one deserves to suffer in silence," Bindi concluded in her March post. "If you're in pain, my heart breaks for you. I believe you. Please find answers. And don't give up on yourself. I know how hard that can be."
The Irwin family continues to balance their public conservation work with private health challenges, demonstrating resilience while raising awareness about conditions that affect countless women worldwide. Terri's update suggests cautious optimism about Bindi's condition, with expectations that she will return to the gala circuit when her health permits more extensive travel.