Croc Hunter's Wife Talks About Loss
"Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin's widow says she has not seen the film of her husband's deadly encounter with a stingray and that it will not ever be shown on television.
"What purpose would that serve?" Terri Irwin said in an interview with ABC's Barbara Walters, which is scheduled to air Wednesday in the United States and Australia.
Irwin, 44, died Sept. 4 when a stringray's barb pierced his chest while he filmed a TV show on the Great Barrier Reef.
A memorial service held for him last week at the family-owned wildlife park where he lived in Queensland state was broadcast on three television networks in Australia.
CBS News correspondent Mark Phillips reported that in a separate interview with Australia's Channel 9, aired Wednesday, Terri Irwin still seemed to be struggling to accept Steve's death.
"I'm still at the stage where I think he's going to come home, and it didn't really happen," she said.
The widow added: "There never has been before and never will be again another Steve Irwin."
According to Phillips, that assessment is probably accurate. He reported that Irwin was not merely a popular television personality, but was "the center of an industry."
Since his death, his wife and children have consistently appeared wearing the same Australia Zoo uniforms that the charismatic host made so recognizable through his programs.
Queensland State Premier Peter Beattie announced on Wednesday that the road that runs past the park in the hamlet of Beerwah would be renamed after the television star and conservationist.
"Steve Irwin and his family have put Beerwah on the map, and I can think of no more fitting tribute," Beattie said.
Irwin's friend and business partner, John Stainton, has seen the film of his death. He told Walters he never wants to see it again and does not want anyone else to see it, either. "It's just a horrible piece of film tape," he said.
American-born Terri Irwin said she was on a research trip in Australia with the couple's two children, 8-year-old daughter Bindi and 2-year-old son Bob, when her brother-in-law reached her with the news.
"I remember thinking, 'Don't say it. Don't say it. Don't say it,' " she said. "I looked out the window, and Bindi was skipping … skipping along outside the window. And I thought, 'Oh, my children. He wouldn't have wanted to leave the children.' And I knew it was an accident. It was an accident, so stupid. It was like running with a pencil."
She said it is important for her family to continue the work her husband did in teaching the world about wildlife.
"I've always told Bindi, 'If anything ever happened to me, I will always watch over you from heaven,' " she said. "But she always understood because living at a zoo, animals die, she's seen death. She knows what death is."
Irwin told Walters that she is getting through her grief "one minute at a time."
She said her son Bob recently took a screwdriver out of the drawer and said he was going to fix the family's motorbike.
"Off he goes, very carefully carrying it like it was a lit candle," she said. "Goes up to the motorbike and starts poking at it. I said, 'What are you doing to the motorbike?' He said, 'I'm fixing the motorbike so daddy can drive it from heaven.' "
© 2009 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report. "What purpose would that serve?" Terri Irwin said in an interview with ABC's Barbara Walters, which is scheduled to air Wednesday in the United States and Australia.
Irwin, 44, died Sept. 4 when a stringray's barb pierced his chest while he filmed a TV show on the Great Barrier Reef.
A memorial service held for him last week at the family-owned wildlife park where he lived in Queensland state was broadcast on three television networks in Australia.
CBS News correspondent Mark Phillips reported that in a separate interview with Australia's Channel 9, aired Wednesday, Terri Irwin still seemed to be struggling to accept Steve's death.
"I'm still at the stage where I think he's going to come home, and it didn't really happen," she said.
The widow added: "There never has been before and never will be again another Steve Irwin."
According to Phillips, that assessment is probably accurate. He reported that Irwin was not merely a popular television personality, but was "the center of an industry."
Since his death, his wife and children have consistently appeared wearing the same Australia Zoo uniforms that the charismatic host made so recognizable through his programs.
Queensland State Premier Peter Beattie announced on Wednesday that the road that runs past the park in the hamlet of Beerwah would be renamed after the television star and conservationist.
"Steve Irwin and his family have put Beerwah on the map, and I can think of no more fitting tribute," Beattie said.
Irwin's friend and business partner, John Stainton, has seen the film of his death. He told Walters he never wants to see it again and does not want anyone else to see it, either. "It's just a horrible piece of film tape," he said.
American-born Terri Irwin said she was on a research trip in Australia with the couple's two children, 8-year-old daughter Bindi and 2-year-old son Bob, when her brother-in-law reached her with the news.
"I remember thinking, 'Don't say it. Don't say it. Don't say it,' " she said. "I looked out the window, and Bindi was skipping … skipping along outside the window. And I thought, 'Oh, my children. He wouldn't have wanted to leave the children.' And I knew it was an accident. It was an accident, so stupid. It was like running with a pencil."
She said it is important for her family to continue the work her husband did in teaching the world about wildlife.
"I've always told Bindi, 'If anything ever happened to me, I will always watch over you from heaven,' " she said. "But she always understood because living at a zoo, animals die, she's seen death. She knows what death is."
Irwin told Walters that she is getting through her grief "one minute at a time."
She said her son Bob recently took a screwdriver out of the drawer and said he was going to fix the family's motorbike.
"Off he goes, very carefully carrying it like it was a lit candle," she said. "Goes up to the motorbike and starts poking at it. I said, 'What are you doing to the motorbike?' He said, 'I'm fixing the motorbike so daddy can drive it from heaven.' "
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I don't think that there are words ever that can help, or take away the pain that you all will be feeling for the rest of your lives - But as you wake each morning - Think of your favorite memory of Steve and I bet you will start the day off with a smile that will help carry you through out the day. Terri, you were truely a very lucky lady - We all were able to watch your TRUE Love affair on Television and it really was a Great story - I only wish that we could shut our eyes, make a wish, open and our Loved ones would be there. Steve left a great family to carry on the work that he spent 44 years doing and I know that he will be proud - Steve will be missed and I am truely sorry for your loss ! ! !
you are in my heart and prayers everyday.
and terri,to you, i can only imagine the heartache you feel. i have lost a mother to cancer very unexpectably so i know what it is to loose someone so fast. it seems like they are going to just walk in the door at any minute. i still dream about my mama. sometimes i dream she is still alive and just been gone on a trip that she didn't tell us about. but then the reality of it hits me and then i realize. you children will keep you going.........mine did.
And I wanted to let you know, that you are a lot stronger than you think. May God Bless you and your family, and may you never again know this much pain.
From
Cheryl in Ohio