Robert Irwin: Finding Strength in the Vulnerability of Grief
3/11/202649 min
Robert Irwin was just two when his dad, “Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin, died. Now 22, Robert talks with Anderson about growing up with grief and how he's able to still "feel" his dad. For more of “All There Is with Anderson Cooper” visit cnn.com/allthereis.
Host: Anderson Cooper
Showrunner: Haley Thomas
Producers: Chuck Hadad, Grace Walker, Emily Williams, Madeleine Thompson
Associate Producer: Kyra Dahring
Video Editor: Eric Zembrzuski
Technical Director: Dan Dzula
Bookers: Kerry Rubin and Kari Pricher
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First 90 secondsAnderson Cooper· Host0:01
Welcome to All There Is. Wherever you are in the world, or in your grief, I'm glad you're here. I'm glad we're together. Today my guest is Robert Irwin. You may remember him from Dancing with the Stars last year, or remember his dad, Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter. Robert was just two when Steve was killed by a stingray while diving. I've been thinking a lot about kids and loss, and how the death of a parent early on can completely change the trajectory of one's life. It certainly did with me, and I worry at times about not making it to see my two little boys grow up to be men. I think I will, but I like to talk to them a lot about how even though my dad died when I was 10, I feel him in my heart now, and how I believe he's with me and with them, and happy to see them growing up. I was really moved by an Instagram post I saw this week from James Van Der Beek's daughter, Emilia. She's just nine years old, and her dad died last month on February 11th.
Emilia Van Der Beek· Soundbite1:00
Today is my dad's birthday, and [clears throat] the number one thing for somebody's passing is to talk to them and let your emotions out. If you miss them, you can cry. You can talk to them. I talk to my dad every day, and I start with a sentence, and