Robert Irwin Chokes Up Seeing Wax Figure of Late Dad Steve: 'First Time in a Long Time He's Not Just a Picture'

Mar. 15, 2025

Robert Irwin stands beside dad Steve’s wax figure on Nov. 28 in Sydney, Austrlia.Photo:Don Arnold/WireImage

Don Arnold/WireImage

Robert Irwinhas been immortalized as a Madame Tussauds wax figure, and the unveiling was made all the more special thanks to its placement next to his late dad,Steve Irwin.

Robert, 20, was overcome with emotion on Thursday, Nov. 28 in Sydney, Australia, when he caught a glimpse of dad Steve’s wax figure for the first time.

Robert Irwin on Nov. 28, 2024.Don Arnold/WireImage

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“This is one of the most surreal moments of my entire life. This is just incredible,” Robert told the Australian morning showSunriseof receiving his wax figure, in which he’s holding a snake. “I just keep looking at every little bit going, ‘It’s me! It is me!’ I don’t know if the world is ready for two of me.”

“It was the first time I’d ever gotten to see my dad’s wax figure. I’d seen pictures of it, but I’d never seen it in real life,” he said. “I was overcome with emotion. And I didn’t think that was gonna happen, but I was actually quite emotional seeing it. Dad, for the last 17 years of my life, has been pictures and video, and to actually see him kind of just standing there, it was a lot. It was actually a lot to take in.”

At that point, Robert appeared to once again choke back tears but pulled himself together.

“It was very emotional,” he said. “But you know what? My life’s about continuing his legacy, so the fact that I get to be there with him now means a lot. I’m truly so grateful.”

Robert Irwin and Steve Irwin at the Australia Zoo in 2005.Newspix/Getty

Newspix/Getty

Robert is the youngest Australian celebrity tobe featured in Madame Tussauds Sydney, according toSunrise.

He and his family have dedicated their lives to carrying out Steve’s legacy and starred together in the Animal Planet seriesCrikey! It’s the Irwins. In September, Robert wasnamed a global ambassadorforPrince William’s Earshot Prize, an initiative that seeks solutions to some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.

source: people.com