Phil Robertson, the patriarch of the Robertson family and star of the hit reality series Duck Dynasty, has passed away at the age of 79. His daughter-in-law Korie Robertson, who is married to Willie Robertson, confirmed the news in a heartfelt Facebook post on Sunday, May 25.
“We celebrate today that our father, husband, and grandfather, Phil Robertson, is now with the Lord,” Korie wrote. “We’re grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers from so many whose lives were touched by his. For now, we’re holding a private service, but we plan to share information soon about a public celebration of his life.”
Phil’s son Jase Robertson also paid tribute on social media, sharing a message on X (formerly Twitter): “My dad has gone to be with the Lord today! He will be missed but we know he is in good hands, & our family is good because God is very good! We will see him again!
The family had revealed in December 2023 that Phil had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. At the time, they described him as being in the early stages of the condition. However, by April, Phil’s health had deteriorated significantly. In an April 2 episode of the Unashamed with the Robertson Family podcast, Jase explained that his father’s condition had worsened and was affecting his overall well-being. “We are keeping him comfortable and doing all we can. That’s what you do when someone you love is going through something like this,” he shared.
Phil Robertson rose to fame as the founder of Duck Commander, a hunting gear company he launched in 1972, best known for its patented duck calls. The success of the business and the family’s unique lifestyle led to the launch of Duck Dynasty on A&E, which followed Phil, his wife Kay, and their children—Jase, Willie, and Jep—along with their extended family and coworkers. The series became a cultural phenomenon and aired for 11 seasons before concluding in 2017.
Since then, the Robertson family has continued to grow, with many of the younger generation starting families of their own. Several spinoff shows followed the original series, including Jep & Jessica: Growing the Dynasty and Duck Family Treasure. Earlier this year, A&E announced that the beloved franchise would return with a new series, Duck Dynasty: The Revival, set to premiere this summer.
Phil leaves behind a legacy rooted in faith, family values, and a strong entrepreneurial spirit. While his passing is a significant loss, his influence will continue to live on through his family, his work, and the millions of fans who followed his journey.