Terri Irwin reveals her chance meeting with her late husband Steve and reflects on their love story…as she celebrates the 17th anniversary of his tragic death at the hands of a stingray

Terri Irwin has spoken about her chance meeting with her late husband Steve Irwin at Australia Zoo in 1991.

The 59-year-old spoke about the couple’s heartwarming love story in a resurfaced clip on her TV show The Crocodile Hunter and said she found Steve incredible.

“I was sold. I thought, “This man is the most incredible guy I’ve ever seen. He’s probably married. He needs to be taken,” she said.

In the old footage, Steve also revealed his version of the first meeting.

“When I saw Terri in the crowd, I looked up and our eyes met and my heart just went, ‘BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG,'” he said in the same episode.

Terri Irwin has revealed her chance meeting with Steve in a resurfaced clip, just days after celebrating 17 years since his tragic death by a stingray on the barrier reef in 2006

“It was love at first sight,” he confirmed, adding: “I know it sounds like it’s from a Mills & Boon romance novel, but it’s true.”

“So I ended the demo with, ‘Yeah, thanks for coming’ – and then she stayed back and talked to me.”

Terri recalled Steve joking about how he should “introduce her to his girlfriend” after she suspected he already had a wife.

The 59-year-old spoke about the couple’s heartwarming love story in a resurfaced clip on her TV show The Crocodile Hunter and said she found Steve incredible

Two seconds later, Steve revealed that the “girlfriend” he was referring to was a dog named “Suey.”

“He called out, ‘Hey, Suey,’ and here comes this little dog, Suey,” Terri said.

“I said, ‘Boom! No girlfriend!”

When Terri first saw Steve at Australia Zoo, she said, “I was amazed.” I thought, “This man is the most incredible guy I’ve ever seen.” He’s probably married. “He needs to be kidnapped.” Both pictured

Terri revealed how Steve introduced his “girlfriend” Suey, which left her heartbroken. Except she realized it was his dog. The couple began dating soon after. Terri, Robert, Bindi and Steve are all pictured

The couple began a relationship and married eight months later, in June 1992.

Terri publicly celebrated and paid tribute to the 17th anniversary of Steve’s death earlier this month on September 4th.

The wildlife star shared a rarely seen photo of Steve sitting huddled in a cabin with a dog next to him as light illuminates him.

Steve was equally in love with Terri, saying: “It was love at first sight,” he confirmed, adding: “I know it sounds like it’s from a Mills & Boon romance novel, but it’s true. “

To mark the 17th anniversary of her husband’s death, Terri kept it short but deeply meaningful, leaving the caption “Remembering Steve” with just a glowing red love heart.

Steve tragically died when a stingray pierced his chest on September 4, 2006, while filming near Batt Reef, Queensland, in his native Australia.

He was just 44 years old at the time.

Fans of Steve were quick to pour their hearts out to Terri, expressing their love and support for the beloved conservationist as they too remembered Steve.

“Thank you for keeping him alive and being present for all of us.” “You have paved a path for the rest of us widowed mamas to follow,” one fan wrote.

To mark the 17th anniversary of her husband’s death, Terri kept it short but deeply meaningful, leaving the caption “Remembering Steve” with just a glowing red love heart

“I wish I could say how much Steve Irwin and you, Terri, meant to us as children… I wish you had spent more time together, but he is always with you and has shaped the next generation in many ways.” Best wishes to you and your family from the USA!’ wrote another one.

Another wrote that her daughter wanted to become a veterinarian after being inspired by Steve’s work with animals and his passion for wildlife.

“My daughter grew up watching him. She is currently completing her veterinary studies. “He played a big role in her love of animals,” wrote another.

Terri famously took over the Australia Zoo after becoming widowed with the couple’s two children. Bindi was only eight years old at the time.

The couple’s son, Robert, was just two years old at the time of his death.

Terri famously took over the Australia Zoo after becoming widowed with the couple’s two children. Bindi was only eight years old at the time. Pictured: Steve, Terri and Bindi in Sydney