Irwins Terri’s fear
As Bindi’s romance hits the rocks, Terri goes into panic mode
With tension between Bindi Irwin and her US boyfriend Chandler Powell simmering for weeks, no one is more concerned about the state of their young romance than the wildlife warrior’s mum, Terri.
After the pair were spotted feuding in public not once, but twice last month, we’re told Terri, 52, is now preparing for the worst – the uncovering of the Irwin family’s innermost secrets.
Over the course of Bindi and Chandler’s two-year relationship, the 20-year-old professional wakeboarder has become an honorary member of the Irwin clan, and has been trusted with helping run Australia Zoo and representing the Irwin name.
But if the couple are indeed headed for a split, Chandler would be free to spill everything the world has always wanted to know about the Irwins.
While Terri has done everything she can to keep up appearances, we’re told there’s mounting pressure on her as Australia Zoo fails to bring in the big bucks it once did.
And not only would Chandler be in a position to tell all as far as the family’s financial situation is concerned, he’d also be one of the few people privy to Terri’s plans for the future of “brand Irwin”.
While rumours have been rife about Bindi’s dreams to forge a name for herself in Hollywood and her 13-year-old brother Robert’s budding showbiz career, Terri has continually remained mum on the family’s next move.
On a far more personal note for Terri, Chandler will also know the ins and outs of her rumoured relationship with Russell Crowe.
The actor is a longtime friend of the family, and while they’ve never confirmed their romance, Russell is open about his admiration for Terri, describing her as “amazing” for keeping her late husband Steve’s “love and ambition relevant”.
Perhaps most concerning for Terri is the fact Chandler knows the truth behind the bitter Irwin family rift, which has for years remained a mystery. As has been widely reported, Terri, Bindi and Robert are no longer in contact with Steve’s dad, Bob Snr, and in 2015 Bindi, 18, explained how after the untimely death of her
dad in 2006, her grandfather “decided his own path”.
“Everyone deals with grief differently. When my dad passed away, [Bob] chose to distance himself from everything Dad loved most,” she said at the time. “There was one year where we sent birthday presents to him and he opened them up and sent them back. At the moment, we’re really just respecting his wishes.”
But it’s believed Bob was upset when Bindi failed to visit him after a near-fatal heart attack in 2008, and with the family refusing to comment further, Chandler could potentially make a fortune revealing what really went on.
While the young couple have been doing their best to keep up appearances on social media in recent weeks, it’s thought their problems are now coming to a head with the mounting pressures being placed upon them. And Bindi appears to have been leaning on Terri for support more than ever– she recently posted a tribute to her mum on Instagram.
“When I need a hug, her arms are always open,” she wrote.
Of course, it’s not all about business for Terri when it comes to Bindi and Chandler – as a mother, she’d hate to see her daughter lose yet another man she loves, after losing her dad at such a young age.
It would be a sad loss for her, too. As well as teaching Chandler the ways of the zoo, it was revealed earlier this year that Terri had invested $11 million in a Californian love nest for the pair – a sign she’s given their romance her blessing.
“He’s adorable, well-mannered and has a beautiful nature,” Terri has said of Chandler.
‘He’d be one of the few people privy to Terri’s plans’