On her 16th birthday, Bindi remembers her dad.

“I remember after we lost Dad, so many adults came up to me and said, ‘Honey, time heals all wounds’. That is the biggest lie you will ever hear. It doesn’t.”

That is what Bindi told  PEOPLE Magazine on the eve of her 16th birthday. Appearing on the cover for her 16th birthday (which she is celebrating today), Bindi talks about the loss of her father, Steve Irwin, who died in 2006 from a stingray attack.

She says, “That kind of sadness never goes away. It’s like losing a piece of your heart that you never get back.”

While Bindi is known for being in the spotlight – crusading for animals and educating her peers on what’s important – this is one of the first times Bindi has spoken openly about her grief.

“When you lose a loved one, you come to these crossroads. You can take the path that leads you down the aisle of sadness, or you can say, ‘I’m never going to let this person’s memory die. I’m going to make sure everything they worked for continues.’ ” 

That is Bindi has taken over her father’s conservation work.

As for her 16 years, she says, “Every day is a new journey for me and I feel like in my lifetime, I’ve been blessed to experience such a lot.”

Bindi also posted the below photo to her instagram account with the caption:

Happy Birthday Bindi.

CLICK THROUGH the gallery to see Bindi growing up:

Bindi rides on the shoulders of her father.

Bindi and her dad Steve.

Bindi cuddles a giant snake.

Bindi with a baby Koala at Australia Zoo.

Bindi and her first crocodile head jump in 2006.

Bindi and her dad Steve Irwin.

Bindi and Steve.

Bindi appears on Ellen.

Bindi makes her movie debut in Free Willy.

Bindi on the cover of Good Weekend.

Bindi at her 15th birthday. celebrations

Bindi and her brother Bob.

Bindi and her mum Terri.

Dressing up for halloween.

Bindi at the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital.

Stepping out of khaki for a night at the AACTAA awards.

Glammed up with her mum Terri.

Bindi at the Australia Zoo animal hospital.

Bindi made headlines with her "boyfriend" earlier this year.

Bindi holding alligator King Kong.

Bindi and her Easter cupcakes.

Bindi and mum Terri feeding a croc.

Bindi relaxing on Moreton Island.

Bindi Irwin and mum Teri

Teri Irwin with daughter Bindi, 16 and son Bob, 12. Image: Instagram, @bindisueirwin

Bindi Irwin in New York

Bindi Irwin

Bindi

Bindi Irwin and family

Want more? Try:

When Parenting Breaks Your Heart.

Bindi tells her fellow teens to cover up: “You’re trying too hard.”