Korie Robertson and Phil Robertson attend the A+E Networks 2012 Upfront at Lincoln Center on May 9, 2012.Credit : Michael N. Todaro/FilmMagic

NEED TO KNOW

Duck Dynasty patriarch Phil Robertson’s family announced that he died on Sunday, May 25, at age 79. He had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in December
Prior to his death, his daughter-in-law Korie, who is married to Phil’s son Willie, gave rare insight into how the star was doing amid his declining health
Korie also said that Phil’s wife, Kay, is not in good health, either

New details are emerging about how Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson was doing in the weeks before his death.

The patriarch and A&E star’s death was announced by his son Jase Robertson on Sunday, May 25, five months after the family shared that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. He was 79.

Prior to his death, his daughter-in-law Korie Robertson, who is married to Phil’s son Willie, told the New York Post that his health was “declining really rapidly,” which was “so hard to watch.”

“He’s not saying very much anymore,” Korie, 51, revealed. “He doesn’t speak a lot.”

Tom Pennington/Getty

Korie, who married Willie, 53, in 1992, said that despite Phil’s bad health, he was “so loved and all the family is just coming around him and taking really good care of him” prior to his death.

She also revealed that Phil’s wife, Kay, 77, is not doing well either, as she said she’ll only appear in a few episodes of Duck Dynasty: The Revival.

“As the season went on, she had some health issues, too. And she’s not been able to be on anymore,” Korie told the outlet.

“So we’re just thankful that Kay got to be on some of the earlier episodes, and we’re going to really cherish those.”

Willie Robertson, Korie Robertson, Phil Robertson, Miss Kay Robertson and Si Robertson attend the A+E Networks 2012 Upfront at Lincoln Center on May 9, 2012.Michael N. Todaro/FilmMagic

On Sunday, tributes from the family poured in on social media following the news of Phil’s death.

In a joint post, Korie and Willie shared the news and thanked fans for “the love and prayers of so many whose lives have been impacted by his life.”

“We know so many of you love him and have been impacted by his life. We’re having a private service for now, but we’ll share details soon about a public celebration of his life,” they wrote.

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Willie’s brother Jase also posted a tribute, writing on X, “He will be missed but we know he is in good hands, and our family is good because God is very good! We will see him again!”