Terri Irwin Posts Nostalgic Birthday Tribute to Magda Szubanski
Terri Irwin has shared a heartfelt tribute to her close friend Magda Szubanski, honouring the beloved comedian's 65th birthday as she continues her recovery from a rare form of cancer. The reality television star, aged 61, posted a precious throwback photograph from the early 2000s on social media this Sunday, capturing a joyful moment with her late husband Steve Irwin and Szubanski at their Australia Zoo in Queensland.
Throwback Photo Captures Iconic Friendship
The celebrity conservationists beamed with happiness as they proudly posed alongside the Kath and Kim star, introducing her to one of the zoo's most iconic reptiles—a large python. In the photograph, Magda Szubanski appeared thrilled, happily cuddling the reptile while Steve and Terri looked on with warm smiles. Terri Irwin captioned the image with sincere words, writing: 'Happy birthday to the fearless and fabulous @magda_szubanski.'
The Irwin family has maintained a long-standing friendship with the iconic Australian comedian, which began when she co-starred with Steve and Terri in the 2002 Australian film Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course. This connection has endured over the years, making the birthday tribute particularly meaningful.
Magda Szubanski's Cancer Battle and Recovery
In May of last year, Magda Szubanski announced on social media that she was battling a rare and aggressive form of cancer known as Mantle Cell Lymphoma. She appeared on camera with a shaved head after beginning treatment, stating: 'Hello my lovelies. So, the head is shaved in anticipation of it all falling out in a couple of weeks because I have just been diagnosed with a very rare, very aggressive, very serious lymphoma.'
She described it as 'one of the nasty ones' but expressed gratitude for her support system, saying: 'The good thing is I'm surrounded by beautiful friends, family and an incredible medical support team. Honestly, we have the best in the world here in Australia, particularly in Melbourne. I feel very fortunate.' Szubanski acknowledged the confronting nature of the diagnosis but remained hopeful, noting that new treatments are continually emerging.
Magda Szubanski began a treatment called the Nordic protocol, which targets mantle cell lymphoma by shrinking tumours through a combination of drugs administered in five phases. Fortunately, she responded well to the treatment, and in February, she shared a positive health update amid her stage four cancer battle.
Positive Health Update and Humorous Response to Trolls
The Babe star, diagnosed with mantle cell lymphoma in 2025, informed her followers that she is now in remission after completing chemotherapy. Posting to her social media stories, the Kath and Kim star humorously addressed trolls who had spread a cruel hoax claiming she had passed away. She quipped: 'I’m not dead, but I'll have to check that with social media because they know more about me than I do,' while thanking fans for their support and paying tribute to her medical team.
Magda Szubanski looked lively and described her news as 'fantastic', marking a significant milestone in her recovery journey. This update adds a layer of celebration to Terri Irwin's birthday tribute, highlighting Szubanski's resilience and the enduring bond between the friends.
