The Aussie sweetheart shares a special bond with a young man from the other side of the world, discovers Lucy Chesterton.
At just 11, Bindi Irwin is fast becoming a little lady, and she has a new number one fan to prove it ? her boyfriend!
Australia’s most famous child star has developed a close bond with her friend and fellow member of Hollywood royalty, Jacob Wertheimer ? the grandson of boxing legend Muhammad Ali.
As a long-time family friend happily tells Woman’s Day, Bindi is taking her first steps into the world of boys and dating.
“During the last year Bindi has started calling Jacob her boyfriend,” the friend reveals. “They’ve known each other for years. They’ve been writing to each other since they were young.
“I’ve seen them on the red carpet and even [Bindi’s mum] Terri calls Jacob Bindi’s boyfriend.”
But the friend says there’s no risk the relationship between Steve Irwin’s little girl ? who is currently pursuing a movie career and starring in the fourth instalment of US film series Free Willy ? and Jacob will develop too quickly: the two live in separate countries, only reuniting for events in Australia or the US.
It’s understood the two, who are officially “just friends” according to an Australia Zoo spokesperson, first cemented their friendship at G’Day USA week in America in 2008. They were seen together on the red carpet around the same time as Bindi ditched her khaki Zoo uniform in favour of flattering sandals and pastel dresses.
Read the full story in Woman’s Day (on sale February 28, 2010)
In pictures
They grow up so fast! Don’t miss our gallery of Bindi’s life in the spotlight
