Who Is Robert Irwin’s Ex-Girlfriend? All About Rorie Buckey.
Robert Irwin and Rorie Buckey split in February 2024 after more than a year of dating.
Robert Irwin and Rorie Buckey have ended their relationship after more than a year together. The couple announced their split in February 2024.
In a joint statement shared on Instagram, they wrote, “We wanted to share that we have decided to go our separate ways but profoundly appreciate all the time spent together and wish one another all the very best into the future.”
The pair were first linked in November 2022 and made their relationship public in July 2023. During their time together, they traveled extensively, and Buckey also collaborated with Irwin at the Australia Zoo, the family-run wildlife sanctuary.
So, who is Robert Irwin’s ex-girlfriend? Here’s what to know about Rorie Buckey.
She is a student
Buckey graduated from high school in 2022 and began studying at Curtin University in Perth, Australia, that same year, per her Facebook. She is working toward a bachelor’s degree in physiotherapy.
She’s the niece of late actor Heath Ledger
Both Robert Irwin and Rorie Buckey have experienced the loss of close family members. Buckey is the niece of actor Heath Ledger, who died in 2008 from an accidental overdose. Her mother, Kate Ledger, is Heath’s sister, and Buckey’s cousin is Matilda Ledger, the daughter of Heath and Michelle Williams.
In 2017, Kate spoke about her daughter and the ways she keeps Heath’s memory alive. “When [Matilda] picks up her pencil, it reminds me of Heath; when she walks, it reminds me of Heath; when she gets on her skateboard, it reminds me of Heath,” she said.
“I tell her about her daddy every time we see each other. I tell her little stories of him growing up and how he used to chase me with the cricket bat.”
She has a twin sister
Rorie Buckey has an identical twin sister, Scarlett, who unlike Rorie, keeps a low profile. Scarlett’s Instagram account is private, and her bio notes that she is a pharmacy student.
The twins inspired their mother, Kate Ledger, to write a book titled Twin Magic in 2013, which explored how siblings could use their unique bond to get out of tricky situations.
“I had the idea years ago when I saw my girls and realized how magical the twin bond really is,” Kate told Perth Now at the time.
She added that while her daughters don’t possess literal magical powers, they do seem to share a form of twin telepathy. “Their teacher tells me that even if Rorie and Scarlett aren’t sitting together, they’ll write the same things or give the same answers,” Kate said.
“The other day Rorie went to the nurse with a headache. Scarlett told me later she had one too but didn’t want to say anything because she didn’t want her teacher to think she was making it up.”
She and Irwin were first rumored to be together in November 2022
Although they did not publicly comment at the time, Rorie Buckey and Robert Irwin were first linked in November 2022 after photos emerged of the pair taking a walk and grabbing burgers in Queensland, Australia, according to The Daily Mail Australia.
Buckey’s father, Nathan, later confirmed the relationship and said the couple had his full support.
The two were seen together at the Australia Zoo on Irwin’s birthday that December, and in April 2023, they were spotted traveling through Perth Airport.
She and Irwin made their red carpet debut in July 2023
The couple maintained a low profile until July 2023, when they made their red carpet debut at Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One. Irwin wrapped his arm around Buckey as they posed for photographers, both dressed in coordinating black outfits.
She and Irwin split in February 2024
Rorie Buckey and Robert Irwin ended their relationship in February 2024 after more than a year together. The former couple shared the news in a joint Instagram statement.
“We wish to express the gratitude and respect we have for one another as we continue our journeys on different paths,” they wrote. “We won’t be commenting further on this, and really appreciate your respect and privacy at this time.”
Bindi says she is a “beautiful friend”
Robert Irwin’s older sister, Bindi, grew close to Rorie Buckey during the couple’s relationship. In October 2023, she praised Buckey in a heartfelt Instagram post.
“My brother’s gorgeous girlfriend, @roriebuckey sweetest soul, beautiful friend, I love her dearly, and you’ll usually see Grace just following her around because she adores her,” Bindi wrote in the caption.