Bindi Irwin‘s health struggles continue, with another absence for her late father’s annual gala.
The daughter of conservationists Steve and Terri Irwin has missed the gala two years in a row due to her ongoing battle with endometriosis and other problems.
Last year, Bindi Irwin skipped the annual gala to undergo surgery for a burst appendix.
Bindi Irwin’s Family Shares Health Update Following Absence From Steve Irwin’s Gala
Bindi’s brother and mother, Robert and Terri Irwin, attended the 3rd Annual Steve Irwin Gala at the Bellagio in Las Vegas on May 2. There, they stopped for an interview to address Bindi’s absence from the event, citing her ongoing battle with endometriosis.
“Bindi is doing so much better now,” Terri began, explaining that her daughter could not attend the event because it would strain her body. “Things like a lot of travel are a bit challenging for her at the moment, and so she’ll be here next year to celebrate this wonderful night,” the matriarch added.
Robert chimed in that his sister’s absence was actually a blessing in disguise because they needed someone to hold down the fort at their Australian zoo. “Bindi’s doing a great job at that,” the doting younger brother told E! News, adding her conservation efforts would have pleased their late father.
The Zookeeper’s Absence Followed Her ‘Inescapable Pain’ Confession
Bindi’s absence from the annual gala came over a month after she poured her heart out in an emotional post on Instagram. In the March 31 update, she shared two pictures of herself in a hospital bed, alongside a lengthy caption about her health battle.
The media personality explained that in the last three years, she had undergone multiple procedures due to her health issues. The list included over 50 endometriosis lesions cut out of her body, a chocolate cyst that was adhering to her ovary, an appendectomy, and a hernia repair.
“I’ve felt indescribable, inescapable pain. Trying to keep my invisible illness to myself after being told by doctors it was just ‘part of being a woman,'” Bindi lamented. She noted that she spent 10 years being undiagnosed, feeling trapped, weak, and deeply insecure until she was diagnosed with endometriosis.
The ‘Bindi The Jungle Girl’ Star Underwent Surgery In 2025
As stated, Bindi has missed her late father’s annual gala for two years, with her first absence in May 2025. PEOPLE reported that she was unable to attend the event due to a ruptured appendix, a narrative her brother confirmed in an interview.
Robert explained that Bindi was absent because she had to undergo surgery, an outcome their family never expected. He explained that his mother, Terri, would also be skipping the event to help Bindi with her recovery. “Health is so important — it really is,” Robert mused.
Robert added that he felt sorry for his sister, who battled endometriosis only to experience a ruptured appendix. Bindi first announced her diagnosis of endometriosis in March 2023 and later became the first international figure to receive the 2024 EndoFound Blossom Award.
The Media Personality’s Surgery Was Successful
After undergoing surgery for her ruptured appendix in May 2025, The Blast reported that Bindi had penned her gratitude to fans in an Instagram post. She thanked them, along with her family and the medical staff, for all the warm messages she received during her recovery, and for their love and support.
Bindi confirmed that her appendix was successfully removed without complications, revealing that doctors also took out 14 endometriosis lesions “after having 37 endometriosis lesions and a cyst removed two years ago.”
Additionally, Bindi shared that she removed the hernia she developed through childbirth four years before the appendix incident. As for what happened, the conservationist explained that she had “a grumbly appendix” that eventually forced her to seek medical attention on the day of her late father’s gala.
Bindi Irwin Once Cautioned Fans About Their Children Queries
Besides her endometriosis battle, Bindi once hinted at having fertility struggles while imploring fans to be more sensitive about asking personal questions. The Blast covered the story in September 2024, sharing that she got candid with fans in an Instagram post.
Bindi warned fans to be careful about their fertility and pregnancy questions, stressing that a family that was perfect on the outside could be struggling behind closed doors. She added that many people “can’t have another baby or can’t have a baby at all.”
Although Bindi acknowledged the good intentions behind the queries about her next child, she declared that her daughter with husband, Chandler Powell, may be their only child. Nonetheless, Bindi stated that they weren’t opposed to having another child if fate willed it.