Robert Irwin, the 19-year-old Australian conservationist and son of the late Steve Irwin, recently made his debut on the red carpet alongside his well-known girlfriend. It’s astonishing to see how much he has grown.
At the Sydney premiere of Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning, Robert and his 18-year-old girlfriend, Rorie Buckley, made quite an impression. The amateur photographer looked dashing in an all-black suit, while Rorie stunned in a black asymmetrical dress with side cutouts.
Rorie is not new to the spotlight either, as she happens to be the niece of the late Australian actor Heath Ledger. Many may recognize her as the sister of the renowned star of “10 Things I Hate About You.”
While the movie premiere marked their first public appearance as a couple, the adorable duo had already caught the attention of paparazzi back in November when they were spotted cuddling on a beach in Queensland. Witnesses observed them arm in arm, enjoying burgers while basking in the sunset’s glow over the water.
In December, Rorie joined Robert and his mother Terri at Australia Zoo’s crocodile show to celebrate Robert’s 19th birthday.
It is difficult not to remember the tragic loss of Robert’s father, Steve, who was killed in 2006 by a stingray barb during a documentary filming in the Barrier Reef. Robert was only three years old at the time and had to grow up without his father. However, he has found solace in bonding with Matilda Ledger, Rorie’s cousin, who also lost her father at a young age.
Matilda, although not spending much time in Australia, has maintained a connection with her Australian family, including Rorie, thanks to her mother, Michelle Williams.
The focus on Robert’s love life intensified after he revealed that his older sister Bindi had encouraged him to find a girlfriend to divert media attention from her own life. Bindi and her husband Chandler Powell had recently welcomed their daughter Grace Warrior in March 2021.
Robert humorously shared with E! News in December that there were always wild rumors surrounding his sister’s life, such as the speculation of her having a second child or even triplets. To ease the media scrutiny on her, Bindi insisted it was Robert’s turn to find a partner.
Robert and Rorie reportedly maintain a long-distance relationship, with Rorie residing in Western Australia while Robert lives on the East coast.
