This year, Bindi Irwin was unable to attend the annual Steve Irwin Gala since her brother Robert Irwin disclosed that she is now experiencing a health issue. As a result, she was unable to attend the event.
During the event that took place in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 10, Robert, who is 21 years old, disclosed that his elder sister, who is 26 years old, was having surgery due to a rupture in her appendix.
“She is going to be okay, but surgery — out of all the things we were ready for, that was not one of them,” Robert tells PEOPLE in an exclusive interview. He also adds that their mother, Terri Irwin, who is sixty years old, will also be absent from the gala, which is being held in honor of the late crocodile hunter Steve Irwin, in order to assist Bindi during her recovery.
“She’s just come out the other side of endometriosis and now the appendix goes,” according to the Crikey! In addition, the Irwins star continues by saying, “Health is so important — it really is.”
“Bindi has become an incredible advocate for women’s health, particularly, and I think it’s really important to prioritize getting help,” Robert describes his older sister to PEOPLE. “I think it’s really important to prioritize getting help.”
In March of 2023, Bindi made the first announcement that she had been diagnosed with endometriosis on Instagram. In August of the same year, she went on to provide a more in-depth account of her health struggle in a cover story for People magazine. At the 12th Annual Blossom Ball held by EndoFound in New York City the following May, Bindi made history by being the first worldwide person to be honored with the 2024 EndoFound Blossom Award that was presented to her.
PEOPLE has been informed by Robert that Bindi was originally adamant about attending the event that would take place on Saturday.
“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 said in his interview. “However, the surgeon informed me that your appendix will be removed. It’s time for that object to be pulled out. Priority must be given to one’s health.
“She is in a really depressed state. She is heartbroken that she and her mother are unable to be here, but I am certain that she will make a quick recovery,” he continues.
Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix, as stated by the Mayo Clinic. This inflammation often leads to the necessity for a patient to have surgical removal of their appendix. It is possible for an appendix to rupture, which is another name for a burst appendix. This condition causes infection to spread throughout the abdomen and may occasionally be fatal.
Just one day before the event, Bindi posted fresh images on Instagram of herself, her mother, and her brother in Las Vegas. They were getting ready to attend the gala that was held in honor of her late father.
“During the day, you are in Khaki, and at night, you are in Bellagio elegant! ✨ Bindi, who is 26 years old, noted in the caption that she was in Las Vegas for the Steve Irwin Gala, which was held to raise money and awareness for Wildlife Warriors. It is important to honor Dad’s remarkable legacy while also supporting conservation efforts. An enormous amount of thanks is extended to each and every one of you for your support as we continue to do all in our power to preserve natural areas and animals for the benefit of future generations.
After more than ten years of “being really, really sick” prior to receiving a diagnosis of endometriosis, Bindi provided yet another update on her health by providing an update in February.
During her appearance on the edition of the A Life of Greatness podcast that was hosted by Sarah Grynberg on February 3, she spoke up about the fact that she had been suffering with covert health problems for more than a decade.
“The only people who knew that I was incredibly ill were my husband, my mother, and my brother, and behind closed doors I was struggling to do anything and everything,” Bindi said at the time, referring to her mother, her brother, and her husband Chandler Powell, who is 28 years old and with whom she shares a daughter named Grace who is three years old.
Endometriosis, according to her, “is an enormous problem for so many people, and it’s not being talked about a lot.”
“I went for 10 years undiagnosed because doctors really didn’t know enough, they diagnosed me with a million other things, like IBS, or hormones or ‘It’s just part of being a woman,'” she said in her interview. “The symptoms continued to snowball, and it took me such a long time to find help and it’s a story that so many women and girls know all too well.”
Bindi expressed her gratitude by saying, “I am so thankful to be on the other side of surgery.” in another part of the podcast interview. Endometriosis is a condition that cannot be cured; however, if you are able to have surgery, you will have a greater chance of survival. It’s possible that another operation may be necessary for me in five to ten years, but for the time being, it’s completely gone, and I’m extremely thankful for that.
