Bindi Irwin, daughter of the late legendary conservationist Steve Irwin, is widely known and loved. After an earlier emergency surgery, Bindi took to social media to let everyone know that she had recovered and, more importantly, to shed light on the disease that had caused her so much pain over the years: endometriosis.
This was no minor surgery; Bindi underwent emergency surgery for a ruptured appendix, a hernia repair and the removal of more endometriosis lesions. This sudden health crisis forced her to miss the Steve Irwin Gala, held annually on May 10 in Las Vegas. Her brother, Robert Irwin, confirmed her absence from the gala and explained that she was very unwell and in pain, but initially tried to pull through before doctors intervened.
Robert recounted the situation, saying that Bindi was ready to come to the gala, putting on a brave face in great discomfort and pain and saying, “No, I’m just going to pull through, I’m going to be there.” However, medical professionals recognized the seriousness of her condition. The surgeon said, “No, your appendix is going bad. That thing has to come out.” It came so suddenly that no one expected it.
Prior to this surgery, she had already undergone a major endometriosis procedure, and shortly after her May 12 surgery, Bindi herself shared an update from her hospital bed. Looking noticeably groggy but determined, she recorded a video message for her fans. “Hi everyone, I’m Bindi,” she begins in the clip. “I just want to thank you all so much for your well wishes.” She then details the surgery she underwent.
“I had my appendix removed. I also had 14 new endometriosis lesions that had to be removed and they kindly stitched up my hernia.” She shared in a video posted on Instagram. The surgery took place at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, where she was treated by Dr. Tamer Seckin and Dr. Chu, a team she is very grateful to.
Two weeks later, Bindi offered a more reflective update, sharing photos of herself looking better. In a May 25 Instagram post, she wrote, “Healing,” and thanked everyone for their kindness and support. It’s clear that the encouragement of her fans means a lot to her during this stage of her recovery.
But in addition to sharing her recovery progress, Bindi also used the opportunity to address the bigger issue – the answers women experiencing chronic pain need. “Thank you for your incredible support. I’m sharing my health journey because more girls and women desperately need answers to their undiagnosed pain.”
This isn’t the first time Bindi has spoken publicly about endometriosis.2023 In March of that year, she first publicly revealed her diagnosis, sharing a post-surgery photo and detailing her struggles leading up to the procedure. That initial surgery was significant; doctors found and removed a staggering 37 foci of endometriosis, some described as very deep and difficult to remove, as well as one cyst.
Bindi recalls the surgeon’s words as they asked, “How did you endure so much pain?” The question echoed a decade of pain that had gone largely unrecognized or ignored. It was a moment that confirmed that what she was going through was far from ordinary.
Bindi admits that it was a difficult decision to share such a personal struggle in public. “I struggled for a long time,” she writes, ”wondering if I should share this journey with everyone in such a public forum.” However, she ultimately felt a deep responsibility to be a voice for others who may be suffering in silence.
She describes the long and grueling road she traveled before her diagnosis. She explains, “Over the last 10 years, we’ve had a lot of tests, a lot of doctors, a lot of scans, etc.” The frustrating thing is that based on these tests, she looks healthy. “The interesting thing is that all these tests have not revealed any problems. Based on those tests, I was a healthy young woman.” She recalled the experience in a later podcast interview.
Although standard tests were inconclusive, Bindi knew something was terribly wrong. She says, “I kept saying this can’t be normal because I was in so much pain.” She describes how the initial pain surrounding her period quickly began to affect her daily life.
There was a particularly heartbreaking moment when she sought medical help early on. She revealed that one doctor told her “it’s just something you have to deal with as a woman.” This denial left her feeling defeated. She admitted, “I gave up completely and tried to function through the pain.” This experience highlights a common problem women face, the normalization of serious, debilitating symptoms.
It wasn’t until a friend named Leslie Mosier helped set her on the right path to seek a diagnosis of endometriosis that she found answers. It was with this friend’s guidance that she eventually found a doctor who specialized in this condition and could offer real help. The decision to undergo surgery was scary, but as she says, “I knew I couldn’t live my life the way I had before.”
After her first surgery in 2023, Bindi says her life looked completely different. She was in significant remission, but endometriosis is a chronic condition. The recent discovery of 14 new lesions during emergency surgery in 2025 illustrates the ongoing nature of her battle with the disease.
Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue resembling the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterine cavity, leading to chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and emotional health problems such as depression and anxiety. Diagnosis is challenging because it does not show up on standard imaging or blood tests; a laparoscopy is often required to look directly inside with a camera.
After the birth of Bindi’s daughter, Grace Warrior Irwin Powell, in March 2021, her pain increased significantly. She describes that when the pain was intense, she would “lay on the floor” and “not be able to move.” It was after becoming a mother, she says, that she resumed her search for answers, driven by her desire to be there for her daughter.
Her diagnosis was eventually arrived at through an exploratory surgery by a doctor in the United States. After years of suspicion and suffering, the affirmation given by this doctor upon discovering the severity of the disease was a turning point. This highlights the important role of medical professionals in listening to and investigating complex symptoms.
Since being diagnosed and undergoing surgery, Bindi has become a vocal advocate for women’s health, especially for those with endometriosis. She has used her important public platform to raise awareness and break down the stigma surrounding this often misunderstood disease. Her brother, Robert, also joins her in spreading this important message.
She feels a deep responsibility to share her story. In her March 2023 post, she clearly articulated her motivation: “Ultimately, I feel it is my responsibility to share my story for other women in need.” She recognizes that there are millions of women struggling with similar stories and she wants to be there for them.
Related posts:
Steve Irwin’s Daughter, Bindi Irwin, Updates Fans On Health After Emergency Surgery For Endometriosis
‘It’s been a long journey’: Bindi Irwin shares a health update following her emergency surgery and appendix removal
Inside Bindi Irwin’s endometriosis journey
