Steve Irwin family rift widens as sister Joy says she hasn't spoken to his wife, children in three years
In an unfortunate turn of events, the late crocodile hunter Steve Irwin's family feud has grown only bitter in the past 13 years since his death in 2006. In an interview with Daily Mail, Steve Irwin's sister Joy Muscillo opened up about the family's strained relationships since the death of her conservationist brother. Muscillo said she was no more in touch with Terri Irwin, her widowed sister-in-law, and her nephew and niece.
Once, the family worked closely together at their Australia Zoo. However, it all changed after Irwin was killed by a stingray during a diving expedition off the coast of Port Douglas in Queensland, Australia.
Earlier in September, reports of Irwin's father Bob Sr being upset about not being invited to his granddaughter Bindi's wedding had started doing the rounds. A few weeks later, Muscillo weighed in on the matter.
Bob, who had set up the iconic zoo, suddenly decided to leave the sanctuary in 2008, shortly two years after his son died. But other family members continued to work together. Muscillo handled the food park at the zoo and her husband, Frank, used to be the general manager. Frank was allegedly "walked out" of the zoo by Terri Irwin in 2016.
She told reporters that the situation was "very sad." "I keep away from all that," she said. "It's just very sad... family stuff."
She also said that she was bound by a confidentiality agreement that forbade her to speak of the family matters in public. Even though the agreement had lapsed, she said it was her "personal decision" to not discuss the matters.
Bob Irwin founded the Beerwah Reptile Park in the 70s with his then-wife Lyn. The park then became Australia Zoo. After their marriage, Steve and Terri took over but Bob was still pretty much involved in the business.
But differences in the family started brewing and several years after Steve's death, Bob fell out with Terri on the running of the zoo.