Bindi Irwin is sharing more about her harrowing health journey.
The 26-year-old daughter of Terri Irwin and the late Steve Irwin recently detailed what doctors discovered when they performed surgery to remove lesions following her endometriosis diagnosis.
“I had an enormous chocolate cyst that had adhered my ovary to my side,” Bindi said on the Feb. 3 episode of A Life of Greatnesspodcast. “I was just in agonizing pain and it just doesn’t show up on scans for whatever reason. It was just in the perfect spot. And it was attacking the inside of the ovary.”
And the decade of pain caused by the chocolate cyst—an ovarian cyst filled with old blood that results from endometriosis, a condition where internal uterine tissue grows on the outside of the uterus, according to Cleveland Clinic—in addition to the more than 30 lesions doctors found, didn’t just impact her body, it affected her social life, too.
“It resulted in a lot of canceled plans,” Bindi continued. “People must have thought I was just incredibly flaky because I was getting so sick from this disease that I would try to get up and I would just throw up, I was in so much pain all the time.”
In the midst of her struggle, Bindi—who shares daughter Grace, 3, with husband Chandler Powell—kept her pain to her inner circle, which also included her mom and brother Robert Irwin. But she’s taking a different approach going forward.
“Now I feel like I’m standing on my soapbox so often,” she shared, “saying to girls and women, ‘If you’re having a hard time, if your periods are really painful, please go get help because it’s a really scary disease.’”
As for how the wildlife conservationist is doing these days? She’s full of gratitude.
“I’m so grateful to be on the other side of surgery,” Bindi said. “There’s no cure for endometriosis but if you’re able to get surgery you have a better shot at life. Maybe in five or 10 years, I’ll have to get another surgery, but for now, it’s all gone, which I’m very grateful for.”
Keep reading to look back at Bindi’s life over the years, including her love story with Chandler.
Baby Makes Three
After tying the knot on March 25, 2020, the couple welcomed their first child, a baby girl named Grace Warrior Irwin Powell, on March 25, 2021—their first wedding anniversary.
A Pre-Proposal Clue
“Beautiful Bee, I love you so much,” the future groom wrote on Instagram the day before popping the question. “You’re my best friend and whole world. I can’t wait to celebrate your birthday tomorrow at #AustraliaZoo. Here’s to another year and beyond of life changing adventures together.”
Little Laughs
The pair shared a laugh at the Steve Irwin Gala Dinner in 2019.
Adventure Buddies
“Thank you for always being there,” she wrote just a few weeks before the big day. “I’m grateful every day for you. You’re my sunshine. Always.”
Koala Cuddles
The only thing cuter than these two in this 2019 pic was their furry friend.
A Perfect Pair
The couple enjoyed a picturesque hike in this 2019 snap.
All in the Family
Bindi’s brother, Robert Irwin, and her mother, Terri Irwin, joined the couple for the unveiling of Steve’s star. The Crocodile Hunter was honored posthumously in 2018.
Sweet Snuggles
The sweethearts were all smiles in this 2018 photo.
Fun in the Sun
“In all the hustle and bustle of life, let’s find time to adventure, explore and truly LIVE,” Bindi captioned the 2018 photo.
A Little Friend
Chandler had a little something on his face in this adorable 2018 shot.
Birthday Flowers
Proving he really does throw the best birthday surprises, Chandler gave Bindi flowers on her big day last year.
Camel Cuteness
“Sharing life’s most wonderful moments with the one you love…that’s true happiness,” Bindi captioned the 2017 photo.
Super Costumes
The dynamic duo dressed up as Clark Kent and Lois Lane for Halloween 2017.
Some Serious Bling
“When diamonds are out of your budget … buy ring pops instead!” she wrote in 2017.
Valentines
“These really are the pictures of true happiness,” she wrote ahead of Valentine’s Day 2017. “I am blessed to be surrounded with the people that I love with all my heart. The power of love is undeniable and the glue that holds us all together. To have real balance in life, we must find the light in every day. So here’s to love, to hope, to peace and kindness.”
Young Love
The couple attended the Steve Irwin Gala Dinner in 2016.
Lake Life
“We spent this day with our families smiling and laughing by the lake,” Bindi captioned this photo from 2015. “I am so glad we found each other in this great big world. I love you.”
Biggest Cheerleader
Chandler supported Bindi at the filming of Dancing with the Stars season 21 in 2015.
