Bindi Irwin Continues to Battle a Range of Health Issues After Years of Struggles

Over the years, Australian television personality Bindi Irwin has been candid about her ongoing health struggles. Back in March 2023, the 20-something daughter of the late Steve Irwin revealed that she dealt with "insurmountable pain" from endometriosis, a condition in which uterine-like tissue grows in places beyond the uterus, for a decade.

Most recently, in May 2025, she was forced to miss the annual Steve Irwin Gala in Las Vegas due to emergency surgery. What happened? Here's everything we know.

On May 10, 2025, Bindi Irwin was forced to miss the annual Steve Irwin Gala in Las Vegas due to an unexpected medical emergency. Her brother, Robert Irwin, later confirmed to People that Bindi had undergone emergency surgery after her appendix ruptured.

"She's going to be OK, but surgery — out of all the things we were ready for, that was not one of them," Robert told the outlet. He added that their mother, Terri Irwin, also skipped the gala to help Bindi during her recovery.

"She's just come out the other side of endometriosis, and now the appendix goes. Health is so important — it really is," he said, referring to Bindi's decade-long battle with chronic pain before her endometriosis diagnosis in 2023.

Robert praised his sister as "an incredible advocate for women's health" and emphasized the importance of seeking medical care.

He also revealed that Bindi had initially traveled to Las Vegas determined to attend the gala despite being in "a lot of discomfort and a lot of pain."

"She came to Las Vegas and was ready to come to the gala, put on a brave face in a lot of discomfort and a lot of pain and said, 'Nope, I'm just going to tough it out, I'm going to go for it,'" he said. "But the surgeon said, 'No, your appendix is going. That thing's gotta come out.' Health has to come first."

He added, "She's very sad. She's devastated that she and Mom can't be here, but I know she'll make a speedy recovery."

When Bindi began menstruating as a teen, she began to experience daily symptoms that weren't normal. She told Today that she would feel severe stabbing pain, fatigue, nausea, and irritable bowel syndrome every day. These symptoms would get worse around her period.

When she had tests done, everything came back normal. This resulted in doctors brushing off her symptoms: "I was often told that it was just the stress of life, and I should work on my mental health," Bindi said.

"This was incredibly disheartening and actually caused me a lot of anxiety and depression as I was constantly in pain with no answers for what was wrong with me," Bindi said. "It was very easy to believe doctors, and I actually gave up searching for answers."

As she got older, the symptoms intensified and began disrupting her regular activities. She stopped doing things she loved, including exercising, hiking, and hugging her loved ones.

"For years, hugs hurt because my body was in excruciating pain every day," she said. "I found that my pain took away my sense of humor and joy. It hurt to laugh."

A social media post made by Bindi's friend immediately resonated with the young woman. After talking to a surgeon, she finally understood why she had waited so long for answers.

"I had no idea if I truly had endometriosis since nothing showed up on blood tests or scans. Unfortunately, this is the same for a lot of people, and endometriosis often goes undiagnosed," Bindi explained. In March 2023, she had surgery to remove more than 30 lesions and a cyst that was filled with menstrual blood.

"I could feel the difference from the moment I woke up," she recalled. "I will never forget when Dr. Seckin asked me, 'How have you been living in this much pain?'"

Since recovering from surgery, Bindi has resumed some of her regular activities, such as hiking, weightlifting, and giving more attention to wildlife conservation work.

She told Today that she hopes sharing her story will help others: "I didn't know how everyone would react and if I was ready to share the most vulnerable part of myself," she said. "I am so thankful that I have been able to talk about my journey and hopefully help others seek real, genuine help."