Bindi Irwin has announced that she is taking a break from public life, after she shared a scathing Facebook post about her grandfather, Bob Irwin, on Sunday.
In an Instagram post on Monday, the Wildlife Warrior, 22, shared a black and white photograph in which she cuddled her three-month-old baby daughter Grace, and said she was ‘working hard to protect her mental health’.
She wrote at length in the caption: ‘Hi guys, Just a note to say thank you for your support. I’m taking a break from social media and most of my work in the public eye for a month to be with my beautiful daughter and my wonderful family.
Rest: Bindi Irwin has announced that she is taking a break from public life, after she shared a scathing Facebook post about her grandfather, Bob Irwin, on Sunday. Sharing a black and white photograph to Instagram in which she cuddles three-month-old baby daughter Grace, on Monday, the Wildlife Warrior, 22, discussed her mental health. Pictured with Grace
‘I feel tremendously grateful to share our life and conservation work with you but I need some time to focus on the happiness that is my family (both human and animal). You can keep up with our adventures by following my family and Australia Zoo on social media.
‘Recently, I’ve had many people reaching out to share their own stories of working hard to protect their mental health. Thank you for sharing and speaking your truth.
‘To my friends who are dealing with depression, anxiety and other battles every day – I see you. These issues are very real and deserve to be discussed and addressed.
She wrote at length in the caption: ‘Hi guys, Just a note to say thank you for your support. I’m taking a break from social media and most of my work in the public eye for a month to be with my beautiful daughter and my wonderful family. Pictured with husband Chandler Powell
‘Surround yourself with the light of people who genuinely care about you and will support you during the good times and the hard times. Remember there are helplines available.
‘Mental health deserves more understanding and support instead of being dismissed or patronised. You are absolutely worthy of love and kindness,’ she concluded.
Earlier on Monday, Bindi shared a cryptic post about finding ‘strength’ while ‘pulling yourself out of a mental dark place’.
Cryptic: Earlier on Monday, Bindi shared a cryptic post about finding ‘strength’ while ‘pulling yourself out of a mental dark place’
She posted a quote by U.S.-based author Steve Maraboli, which read: ‘I don’t think people realize how much strength it takes to pull yourself out of a dark place mentally. So if you’ve done that today or any day, I’m proud of you.’
She also took to Facebook to repost a photo of husband Chandler Powell, 24, cuddling their daughter Grace to mark Father’s Day in the USA.
The posts come after Bindi sensationally spoke out about her strained relationship with her estranged grandfather Bob Irwin Snr in a scathing Facebook comment.
On Sunday, she shared a sweet post celebrating Father’s Day in the USA, saying she was thankful for the ‘three most incredible fathers in her life’; her late father Steve Irwin, her husband Chandler and her father-in-law Chris.
Claims: The posts come after Bindi sensationally spoke out about her strained relationship with her estranged grandfather Bob Irwin Snr in a scathing Facebook comment. Pictured with mother Terri (second right) and brother Robert (second left) in 2007
When one fan asked why she hadn’t included her grandfather – Steve’s father, Bob – Bindi gave an uncharacteristically raw account of their relationship, claiming he’s ignored her since she was a ‘little girl’.
The mother-of-one wrote: ‘I really wish that my entire family could spend time with Grace. Unfortunately, my grandfather Bob has shown no interest in spending time with me or my family.’
She went on to claim that Bob had ‘returned gifts I’ve sent after he opened them’, and ignored any letters sent from her.
‘From the time I was a little girl he has ignored me, preferring to spend time doing anything else rather than being with me,’ she continued.
Speaking out: When one fan asked why she hadn’t included her grandfather – Steve’s father, Bob – Bindi gave an uncharacteristically raw account of their relationship, claiming he’s ignored her since she was a ‘little girl’
Thankful: Bindi had commented on a sweet Father’s Day post celebrating the ‘three most incredible fathers in her life’ ; her late father Steve Irwin, her husband Chandler Powell and her father-in-law Chris
‘He has never said a single kind word to me personally. It breaks my heart.’
She went on to say that her mother Terri still writes to him and sends birthday cards and Christmas gifts, but claims they have received no reply.
‘We have also been his financial support since 1992 when he returned from Australia Zoo, sending him funds every week,’ she added.
‘We built him a house on a beautiful property and will always do our best to ensure his wellbeing.
No response: She went on to say that her mother Terri still writes to him and sends birthday cards and Christmas gifts, but says they have received no reply
Strained: ‘He has never said a single kind word to me personally. It breaks my heart.’ Bindi claims. Pictured: Bob holding a photograph of Bindi in 2008
‘I hope everyone remembers to be kind to one another but most of all care for your own mental health.
‘I have struggled with this relationship my entire life and it brings me enormous pain.’
Bindi, who welcomed her first daughter Grace in March, concluded by saying she has to ‘choose to care for her own mental health now’.
Bob previously spoke to the media about the alleged family feud that left him estranged from his granddaughter.
‘We have also been his financial support since 1992 when he returned from Australia Zoo, sending him funds every week,’ she added. Pictured, Bob Irwin and wife Judy at the RSPCA in Brisbane in 2008
Helping hand: ‘We built him a house on a beautiful property and will always do our best to ensure his wellbeing,’ said Bindi. Pictured, Bob Irwin’s farm outside Kingaroy, 2008
In September 2019, he told the Courier Mail that he had not received a response since writing a letter to Bindi in which he wished her well after she announced her engagement to her now-husband Chandler in July.
He claimed their latest dispute stemmed from a misunderstanding after a reporter walked onto his property hoping to get a comment on what he thought about the engagement.
When Mr Irwin refused to answer, it was mistakenly taken as a begrudged silence. Photos of him at his home were also splashed across the tabloids, only fuelling the false impression that he was unhappy with the upcoming marriage.
Feud: In September 2019, Bob told the Courier Mail that he had not received a response since writing a letter to Bindi in which he wished her well after she announced her engagement to her now-husband Chandler in July. Pictured in 2016
He said he wasn’t invited to the wedding, and didn’t expect to be.
‘If they wanted to, of course I would,’ he had said.
‘I get messages (from friends) constantly about how Bob and Bindi are doing, what achievements they’ve made, what interests they have, and I also watch television like everyone else.
‘They keep me up-to-date. Both Bindi and Bob have achieved a lot in a short space of time; mind you, they’re both only young yet. But they’ve done well and I would say Steve would be pretty happy with the way they’re doing.’
Family: Bob is the father of legendary Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin (centre), who passed away in 2006. Pictured: The family in 2004
