{"id":114672,"date":"2025-09-03T03:09:10","date_gmt":"2025-09-03T03:09:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/114672\/"},"modified":"2025-09-03T03:09:10","modified_gmt":"2025-09-03T03:09:10","slug":"the-sad-reason-why-close-friends-terri-irwin-and-russell-crowe-have-drifted-apart-its-been-pretty-tough-for-her","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/114672\/","title":{"rendered":"The sad reason why close friends Terri Irwin and Russell Crowe have drifted apart: ‘It’s been pretty tough for her’"},"content":{"rendered":"

By MEGAN WATTS, SHOWBUSINESS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA<\/a> <\/p>\n

Published: 21:10 EDT, 2 September 2025 | Updated: 21:13 EDT, 2 September 2025 <\/p>\n

Terri Irwin<\/a> and Russell Crowe<\/a> were once considered best friends, with the Gladiator star previously calling the Wildlife Warrior ‘one of the greatest women’ he’d ever met.<\/p>\n

So close were the pair, they were forced to consistently shut down romance rumours<\/a> after Terri’s late husband Steve Irwin passed away.<\/p>\n

However, according to New Idea, the pair haven’t seen each other in around five years.<\/p>\n

‘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 \u2014 so losing contact with him has been pretty tough for her,’ a source allegedly told the publication.\u00a0<\/p>\n

According to the ‘insider’, Russell and Terri reportedly drifted apart around the same time the 61-year-old star began dating his now-fianc\u00e9e Britney Theriot<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘There is only room for one woman in Rusty’s life,’ the source alleged.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Terri <\/p>\n

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 met\u00a0<\/p>\n

The source added that Terri was happy for Russell when he found love with the 33-year-old blonde bombshell<\/a> and could ‘see how smitten he was’.<\/p>\n

And despite the pair growing apart, Terri knows Russell would be there in a heartbeat if she ever needed him\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘Even if they didn’t speak for decades \u2014 that’s just the type of man he is,’ the source added.<\/p>\n

In 2021, Terri was forced to deny she was dating Russell<\/a>, saying she was ‘very very single’.<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘And Russell has been very loyal as a great friend.’<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Russell has also gushed over Terri in the past as well.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"However, <\/p>\n

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-fianc\u00e9e Britney Theriot (pictured here)\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

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\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘Terri is one of the greatest women I’ve ever met in my life, without there being implication of intimacy or whatever,’ he said.<\/p>\n

‘You know I do love Terri Irwin, I love her kids and I love<\/a> 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.’<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Russell recently ignited rumours he is set to tie the knot with Britney in Rome<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The pair had earlier sparked speculation they are engaged when Britney was seen sporting a diamond ring<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Claims were circulating that they are eyeing up an Italian wedding after reportedly visiting a church during their latest visit to the city.<\/p>\n

The couple, who started dating in 2020, visited Rome last year when Russell performed with his band The Gentlemen Barbers at the Forum Theatre.<\/p>\n

They were spotted sightseeing during their lavish getaway and reportedly visited a church in the city.<\/p>\n

‘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.<\/p>\n

‘It’s always been their dream to get married there.’<\/p>\n

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