Bindi Irwin Rushed to Hospital for Emergency Surgery During Las Vegas Trip

While in Las Vegas for the Steve Irwin Gala on Saturday, May 10, 26-year-old Bindi Irwin faced a medical emergency that landed her in the hospital for surgery.

Bindi had planned to attend the event to honor her late father and support her family’s Wildlife Warriors conservation mission. But a sudden health scare forced her to cancel last-minute.

Her younger brother, 21-year-old Robert Irwin, stepped up to speak on her behalf at the gala and shared the news that Bindi’s appendix had ruptured.

“She’s going to be okay, but we weren’t expecting this at all,” Robert told PEOPLE. “Out of everything we prepared for, emergency surgery wasn’t on the list.”

Their mother, Terri Irwin, 60, also skipped the event to stay by Bindi’s side in the hospital. Robert added, “She just recovered from endometriosis, and now her appendix goes. It really reminds you how important your health is.”

Despite being in intense pain, Bindi had still intended to show up at the gala.

“She flew to Vegas and was ready to power through it, even though she was in serious discomfort,” Robert said. “She told us, ‘I’m going to tough it out.’ But the surgeon made it clear — her appendix had to come out. Health has to come first.”

After surgery, Bindi posted a heartfelt video from her hospital bed to thank her fans for their support.

“Hey guys, Bindi here,” she said, appearing tired but determined. “I just got out of surgery about an hour ago. I had my appendix removed, they also found 14 new endometriosis lesions, and they repaired a hernia too.”

“I might seem a little out of it in this video,” she added, “but I just wanted to say I’m on the road to recovery, one step at a time. I’m so grateful for all the love and support from my amazing family.”

Her husband, Chandler Powell, was quick to comment: “Strongest person I know.” Robert added, “Stay strong Bindi! Love you!”

This latest surgery is part of Bindi’s ongoing battle with endometriosis — a painful condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, often causing chronic pain and complications.

She first went public with her diagnosis in March 2023, sharing that she had spent over a decade battling “insurmountable fatigue, pain, and nausea.”

In a candid Instagram post, she revealed that during her initial surgery, doctors found 37 lesions — some deeply embedded — along with a “chocolate cyst.” After the operation, her surgeon told her, “How did you live with this much pain?”

On the A Life of Greatness podcast, Bindi opened up further, saying only her husband, mom, and brother knew the full extent of what she was going through. “Behind closed doors, I was struggling to do everything,” she admitted.

For years, she said doctors brushed off her symptoms as IBS, hormonal shifts, or just “normal” for women. “It took so long to get help, and that’s something so many women and girls unfortunately relate to,” she said.