Bindi Irwin missed an important family function due to an unexpected medical emergency.

At the annual gala of her late father Steve Irwin, the 26-year-old’s brother, Robert Irwin, confirmed that she had to undergo emergency surgery and hospitalization due to a ruptured appendix.

“She’s going to be OK, but surgery — out of all the things we were ready for, that was not one of them,” Robert, 21, said about Bindi in an interview with People at the event in Las Vegas.

Robert said his sister, who underwent surgery for endometriosis in March 2023, was initially going to attend the gala despite her health issues.

“She came to Las Vegas and was ready to come to the gala, put on a brave face in a lot of discomfort and a lot of pain and said, ‘Nope, I’m just going to tough it out, I’m going to go for it,’ ” Robert explained. “But the surgeon said, ‘No, your appendix is going. That thing’s gotta come out.’ Health has to come first.”

Robert confirmed that his mom, Terri Irwin, 60, was also skipping the gala to help Bindi recover.

“She’s very sad,” he said about Bindi. “She’s devastated that she and Mom can’t be here, but I know she’ll make a speedy recovery.”

“She’s just come out the other side of endometriosis and now the appendix goes,” Robert continued. “Health is so important — it really is.”

Robert added of his sister, “Bindi has become an incredible advocate for women’s health, particularly, and I think it’s really important to prioritize getting help.”

This story is developing…