Terri Irwin and Russell Crowe were once considered best friends, with the Gladiator star previously calling the Wildlife Warrior ‘one of the greatest women’ he’d ever met.
So close were the pair, they were forced to consistently shut down romance rumours after Terri’s late husband Steve Irwin passed away.
However, according to New Idea, the pair haven’t seen each other in around five years.
‘They would talk on the phone and text all the time, and Terri even considered him to be a father figure to Bindi and Robert after Steve died — so losing contact with him has been pretty tough for her,’ a source allegedly told the publication.Â
According to the ‘insider’, Russell and Terri reportedly drifted apart around the same time the 61-year-old star began dating his now-fiancée Britney Theriot.Â
‘There is only room for one woman in Rusty’s life,’ the source alleged.Â
Terri Irwin and Russell Crowe were once considered best friends, with the Gladiator star previously calling her ‘one of the greatest women’ he’d ever metÂ
The source added that Terri was happy for Russell when he found love with the 33-year-old blonde bombshell and could ‘see how smitten he was’.
And despite the pair growing apart, Terri knows Russell would be there in a heartbeat if she ever needed him Â
‘Even if they didn’t speak for decades — that’s just the type of man he is,’ the source added.
In 2021, Terri was forced to deny she was dating Russell, saying she was ‘very very single’.
She told Access Hollywood of their friendship in 2017: ‘In all honesty, he (Russell) and Steve became friends many years ago, and after Steve passed, you find out who your true friends are.Â
‘And Russell has been very loyal as a great friend.’
The mother-of-two hasn’t dated anyone publicly since her late husband Steve tragically died in a freak stingray accident in 2006. He was 44.Â
Russell has also gushed over Terri in the past as well.Â
However, according to New Idea, the pair haven’t seen each other in around five years. According to the insider, Russell and Terri drifted apart around the same time the 61-year-old star began dating his now-fiancée Britney Theriot (pictured here)Â
The mother-of-two hasn’t dated anyone publicly since her late husband Steve tragically died in a freak stingray accident in 2006. He was 44Â
‘Terri is one of the greatest women I’ve ever met in my life, without there being implication of intimacy or whatever,’ he said.
‘You know I do love Terri Irwin, I love her kids and I love how she’s kept the memory of Steve alive, and respected the work that the two of them had begun and she’s an absolute champion.’
Meanwhile, Russell recently ignited rumours he is set to tie the knot with Britney in Rome.
The pair had earlier sparked speculation they are engaged when Britney was seen sporting a diamond ring.
Claims were circulating that they are eyeing up an Italian wedding after reportedly visiting a church during their latest visit to the city.
The couple, who started dating in 2020, visited Rome last year when Russell performed with his band The Gentlemen Barbers at the Forum Theatre.
They were spotted sightseeing during their lavish getaway and reportedly visited a church in the city.
‘Italy was always going to be their wedding destination. Every time they go there, they come back more in love,’ an insider told Woman’s Day.
‘It’s always been their dream to get married there.’
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The sad reason why close friends Terri Irwin and Russell Crowe have drifted apart: ‘It’s been pretty tough for her’