Terri Irwin, who has not spoken in public since Steve 'Crocodile Hunter' Irwin's death at the Great Barrier Reef, 22 days ago, was interviewed by Barbara Walters, the celebrated American television personality, for ABC television's 20/20.
She told Walters: the day Steve died was the day she lost her prince.
Terri, who hails from Oregon, USA, met Steve when she visited the Australia Zoo at Beerwah, in western Australia, on a holiday in 1991.
'I went into this little reptile park, and Steve was doing the crocodile show, coincidentally... I was absolutely floored. That was it. This man was a real-life hero. I fell then and there, love at first sight,' she said.
Steve told her he had a girlfriend and introduced Terri to his dog Sue. By May 1992 they had wed.
Fourteen years, and and the birth of Bindi Sue, 8, and Bob, 3, to them, had only added strength and romance to their relationship, Terri said. She said if she had to do it all over again she would, in spite of the tragic end.
'I had romance like I didn't think existed anymore, a wonderful romance. He was passionate and determined and enthusiastic' was how she put it.
Terri spoke about Steve's giant-sized enthusiasm and how he was always in a rush to execute his vision as if there was no tomorrow. His message for all was to get close to wildlife because it would change the way one looked at life and help everyone change the world.
Steve, she said, appreciated the simplicity of life and everyday fun -- like splashing in puddles, 'He didn't sweat the little stuff. He followed the big picture'-- and she plans to live by that motto.
Terri says she is, at the moment, taking each day as it comes 'with great faith, great determination.' She wonders why god dealt her such a blow but seeks consolation in her 'two beautiful children'.
The Croc Hunter's wife plans to keep Steve's dreams alive and run his zoo and translate his initiatives into reality. She spoke about how Bindi is in her dad's mould and is already going down Steve's path.
Terri related how the other day she found little Bob fiddling with a screwdriver. He told her, 'I'm fixing the motorbike so Daddy can drive it from heaven.'
© 2024 Rediff.com -