Bindi Irwin Talks Keeping Her Dad Steve's Legacy Alive

Bindi Irwin is opening up about life without her father Steve Irwin, who passed away 12 years ago after a stingray attack.

The 20-year-old animal conservationist and her little brother Robert spoke to People magazine in their latest issue about the ongoing struggle with heartbreak.

“I remember people coming up to me and saying, ‘I’m sorry for your loss, sweetheart. Time heals all wounds.’ But that’s just not true,” Bindi said. “It’s like losing a part of your heart, and when you’ve lost that, you never get it back.”

Bindi and Robert have been keeping their dad’s legacy very much alive with expanding their Australia Zoo, and spreading the word with their tv shows and more about their conservation efforts.

“I sure hope dad would be proud,” she continued. “We really do try every day to make him proud and follow in his footsteps. I hope that somewhere he’s out there going, ‘Yes! You did good!’”

“No matter where we go, or what we do, we’ll always come back here,” Robert added. “This is our passion. It’s a part of us and Australia Zoo will always be home.”

For more from the Irwins, head to PeopleTV.com!