Conservationist Robert Irwin has confessed that he “couldn’t wait” to leave Los Angeles following his Dancing With The Stars win, the Aussie star returning back to his 12,900 hectare home at Australia Zoo.
Australia Zoo, worth an estimated $25 million, doubles as a sanctuary for more than 1200 animals on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.
After the 22-year-old won the mirrorball, he didn’t stay long in California to celebrate. Instead, he hopped on a plane back home to Australia, Realtor reports.
Speaking with The West Australian, The TV personality admitted that the three months he spent living on the West Coast reminded him of how much he loved The Land Down Under.
“Being in L.A. for the last three months has been wonderful, but I am not a city kid,” he said.
“I live out in the bush and have grown up there, so it’s good to be back where there’s a bit of greenery. I couldn’t wait to get here, actually.
RELATED: Rob’s new cashflow, Irwin’s final wealth gone
Robert’s sad fortune left by Steve Irwin
‘Life update’: Irwin quits Aus for US
Robert Irwin has confessed that he “couldn’t wait” to leave Los Angeles following his Dancing With The Stars win. Picture: Eric McCandless/Disney via Getty Images
After the 22-year-old won the mirrorball for his dancing skills, he didn’t stay long in California to celebrate, instead he hopped on a plane back home to Australia. Picture: Marc Grimwade/WireImage
Although he is not currently in Australia, Irwin is still soaking in nature in South Africa while he films I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!
The animal lover grew up in Australia alongside his mum, Terri, his sister, Bindi and her husband, Chandler Powell, and their daughter, Grace Warrior.
Irwin and his family have been honouring his father, Steve, who died at the age of 44 after a stingray accident, through their work at the Australia Zoo.
It is where they help the animals and teach others about life in the wild.
Just a few months ago, Irwin opened up about his love of Australia while speaking to Travel + Leisure, telling the outlet that the land makes him feel closer to his late dad.
“It is where I feel his energy and his passion more than anywhere else,” he said. “If Australia were a person, it would be my dad.
“To love your wildlife, to be passionate, to have that spirit of mateship and camaraderie with everyone. He is just a superhero to me.”
His deserving win came nearly 10 years after Bindi, 27, also won her season of the dancing competition TV series. Picture: Eric McCandless/Disney via Getty Images
Following his win, Irwin revealed that the win meant “everything to him,” adding that the show “absolutely changed my life.” Picture: Eric McCandless/Disney via Getty Images
In November, Irwin solidified his role as a star when he and his partner Witney Carson won the Mirrorball Trophy during the season finale of Dancing With The Stars.
His deserving win came nearly 10 years after Bindi, 27, also won her season of the dancing competition TV series.
Following his win, Irwin revealed that the win meant “everything to him,” adding that the show “absolutely changed my life.”
Irwin has been co-hosting I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! since 2023 and previously revealed that he would be involved in the show in a different manner.
At 21, Robert’s decision to stay at home mirrors many young Australians, but his circumstances are far from ordinary.
His growing wealth, bolstered by recent TV appearances on I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here! and DWTS, sets him apart.
Robert reportedly earned a base salary of $US125,000 ($A188,000) for the first two weeks of Dancing With The Stars.
That figure may have reached a total of $US295,000 ($A447,000) to $US400,000 ($A606,000).
Steve Irwin with baby Robert. Picture: Instagram
Robert’s wealth news comes after Terri revealed she was forced to spend Steve’s final $200,000 on the family’s debts.
With his rising net worth and public profile, onlookers are eager to see if Robert’s property ambitions will extend beyond the iconic Australia Zoo compound.
Family remains a priority for Robert, especially after his sister Bindi and mother Terri temporarily relocated to the US for three months to stay close to him while he’s on US television.
Despite receiving a modest inheritance from his late father, the Irwin family overcame financial struggles to preserve Steve’s legacy.
According to Woman’s Day, the son of the late Crocodile Hunter has an estimated net worth of $US5 million ($A7.5 million).
Steve died on September 4, 2006, aged just 44, after a stingray accident. At the time, his net worth was said to be $US10 million ($A15 million).
Despite his substantial wealth, the TV personality left a life insurance of just $200,000 to his family.
The rest of the conservationist’s fortune went into Australia Zoo and other wildlife work.
After Steve’s death, Terri sold off properties in 2011 from their multimillion-dollar portfolio, which had an estimated worth of $20 million.
At the time, she sold a $1.3 million luxury property at a $380,000 loss.
Parts of this story first appeared in Realtor and was republished with permission.
MORE: Huge twist in Hackman death house exposed
English (US) · 