Steve Irwin Gala Hit by Sudden Bindi Irwin Surgery Scare

Bindi Irwin was all set to honor her father’s legacy at the annual Steve Irwin Gala in Las Vegas.

However, just before the big event, the wildlife warrior experienced a sudden medical emergency that required immediate surgery, forcing her to miss the emotional night entirely.

Her absence didn’t go unnoticed, especially as her family stepped up to share the news and carry her torch for the evening.

The Annual Steve Irwin Gala was scheduled for May 10 in Las Vegas. However, while some members of the Irwin family were present to honor the late icon, Bindi was nowhere to be found.

Unfortunately, according to the 26-year-old’s brother, Robert Irwin, Bindi’s absence was due to an emergency surgery for a ruptured appendix.

“She’s going to be OK, but surgery — out of all the things we were ready for, that was not one of them. She’s just come out the other side of endometriosis and now the appendix goes. Health is so important — it really is. ,” Robert told PEOPLE Magazine.

The 21-year-old also noted that their mom, Terri Irwin, would miss the gala as she had to stay back to care for Bindi.

“Bindi has become an incredible advocate for women’s health, particularly, and I think it’s really important to prioritize getting help,” he shared.

Bindi may have been fighting for her life, but she made efforts to attend the annual event.

Robert confirmed it when he spoke about how far his sister went, even traveling to Las Vegas.

“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,'” Robert revealed. “But the surgeon said, ‘No, your appendix is going. That thing’s gotta come out.’ Health has to come first.”

He also shared that Bindi was emotionally down and devastated that she and Terri couldn’t attend the gala. However, Robert remained positive that his sister would make a speedy recovery.

Bindi has struggled with her health for a long time and has always remained open about it. In March 2023, the television personality took to social media to reveal she had been diagnosed with endometriosis.

In an Instagram post, the actress shared a picture of herself in a hospital bed and accompanied the photo with a lengthy write-up.

“For 10 years I’ve struggled with insurmountable fatigue, pain & nausea. Trying to remain a positive person and hide the pain has been a very long road. These last 10yrs have included many tests, doctors visits, scans, etc,” she wrote.

Bindi noted that she had given up until a friend “set me on a path of regaining my life.”

Eventually, she underwent endometriosis surgery, during which the doctor found 37 lesions and a chocolate cyst.

The zookeeper said it was difficult, but thanks to her family and loved ones, she was encouraged to keep searching for a solution.

In her final words, Bindi Irwin encouraged women going through a similar situation to keep searching for answers.

Months after the revelation, Bindi went into more detail about her health journey before her diagnosis.

In the PEOPLE Magazine cover story for August 2023, she recounted how she got tested for almost everything.

“I was tested for everything. Every tropical disease, Lyme disease, cancer, you name it. I had every blood test and scan imaginable. It’s so hard because you feel like it’s inescapable,” she said.

She added, “You don’t know what’s wrong with you, and then when people tell you ‘It’s all in your head’ or ‘you’re hormonal’ or ‘just have a cup of tea, lay down,’ you end up feeling so desperately alone because there’s no answers.”