Exclusive: Walters Interviews Croc. Hunter's Widow

Sept. 26, 2006 — -- The day that popular television personality Steve "Crocodile Hunter" Irwin died was the day his wife, Terri, says she lost her prince.

It's been almost a month since a stingray barb killed her husband of 14 years, piercing his heart as he filmed a show on the Great Barrier Reef. Terri spoke with Barbara Walters, in her first interview since Irwin's death, about how she is coping.

"One minute at a time. Sometime an hour at a time. With great faith, great determination," Terri says. "I have tremendous faith in God that all things happen for a reason, even if we don't understand. ... I have two beautiful children. And they really are my strength."

Terri met Steve Irwin on Oct. 6, 1991. The Oregon native was visiting Australia with friends. "I went into this little reptile park, and Steve was doing the crocodile show, coincidentally. ... I was absolutely floored. That was it. This man was a real-life hero. I fell then and there, love at first sight."

They started talking, and Terri says it became clear that Steve liked her too. But he told her he had a girlfriend. "I was a little bit devastated, she says." But that lovesick devastation didn't last for long. Steve introduced Terri to his girlfriend Sue, a little dog.

Six months later, they were married.

Terri says she'd marry Steve again in a minute, even knowing how it would end.

Despite the loss of her husband, Terri says she still feels blessed that she had him in her life. "I had romance like I didn't think existed anymore, a wonderful romance. He was passionate and determined and enthusiastic."

He had so much enthusiasm for life, that at times, Terri says, it was hard to keep up with him. "There were so many things that made me crazy, like his desire to do everything now. He had a real sense of urgency with his life and no side view business plan. If you got plans, we'll do them now."

At Irwin's memorial service, it was said over and over again how "Steve changed the world."Terri says he changed the world by giving everyone a message. "If you can reach out and touch and love and be with wildlife, you will forever be changed and you will want to make the world a better place. ... If we do nothing ... we're in trouble. And he did more than anybody. So I think we can all do something."