Bindi Irwin Honors Father Steve on 10th Anniversary of His Death: 'You'll Be My Hero for My Entire Existence'

Steve Irwin with his daughter Bindi Irwin in Uluru, Australia. (Photo: Australia Zoo via Getty Images)

It’s been a decade since the “Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin tragically died after being stung by a stingray, but his daughter Bindi continues to see him as her “hero.”

The 18-year-old Dancing with the Stars champion paid tribute to her father on the anniversary of his passing with a throwback photo where Steve is holding his baby girl in one hand with a big smile on his face.

“You’ll be my hero for my entire existence,” Bindi captioned the snap. “I love you more than words can describe.”

Steve’s wife Terri also took to social media to honor her late husband and send a simple reminder to others.

“Happy Father’s Day Australia. Hug your dad,” she tweeted along with a photo of Steve holding a young reptile with his two children, Bindi and Robert, who were 8 and 2 years old when their father passed.

(Sunday marked Father’s Day in Australia.)

Earlier this week, Steve’s parents shared a touching tribute he wrote to his parents, thanking them for their support and friendship.

The conservationist and TV star wrote the note in 1998, telling his parents: “Probably one of the most unfortunate things in a ‘Bloke’s Life’ is that it takes over 30 years to realize how essential you have been to build my character, my ethics and, most importantly, my HAPPINESS.”

He continued, “At 32, I am finally starting to figure it out. In good times and in bad, you were there. Your strength and endurance to raise me will not go unrewarded. My love for you is my strength!”

Bob Irwin released the letter for the first time in The Last Crocodile Hunter: A Father and Son Legacy.

Bindi, who turned 18 last month, revealed to Entertainment Tonight that celebrating the monumental year was “bitttersweet” without her father.

“I can feel that he’s not here anymore on most of the days that are really big for our family,” Bindi said. “On days like birthdays, Christmases, it’s really a tough time because he’s not here. It’s sad because you want him to be right next to you and experiencing all these milestones, but I truly believe that, in some way, he is still with us.”