Duck Dynasty Star Phil Robertson Dies at 79 Following Alzheimer’s Diagnosis

The reality star’s health diagnosis was first made public in December

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Phil Robertson.Credit : Roy Rochlin/Getty Images

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Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson has died at the age of 79
The reality star’s family shared the news through various social media posts on Sunday, May 25, months after they revealed in December that he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease
Phil starred alongside his family on the popular A&E series, which is expected to return to the network as Duck Dynasty: The Revival this summer

Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson has died. He was 79.

The reality star’s family shared the news through various social media posts on Sunday, May 25, months after they revealed in December that he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

Phil’s son, Jase Robertson, posted a tribute on X, writing, “My dad has gone to be with the Lord today! 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!” as Sadie Robertson Huff, Phil’s granddaughter, marked his death with an Instagram post featuring a series of photos of their famous family throughout the years.

In their own joint Instagram post, son Willie Robertson and his wife Korie Robertson wrote, “We celebrate today that our father, husband, and grandfather, Phil Robertson, is now with the Lord.”

“Thank you for the love and prayers of so many whose lives have been impacted by his life,” the pair continued, in part, adding, “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.”

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Phil Robertson.Sarah Glenn/Getty Images for Texas Motor Speedway

Phil’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis was first made public on the Dec. 6 episode of the Unashamed with the Robertson Family podcast. At the time, Jase revealed that his dad was in the “early stages” of the illness.

He further explained that his father’s Alzheimer’s “accelerated, and it’s causing problems with his entire body,” adding, “He’s just not doing well. He’s really struggling.”

Months later, during an April 2 episode of the podcast, Jase spoke more about his dad’s health ordeal, telling listeners that Phil was “not good.”

He continued, “We’re making him comfortable, and we’re doing the best we can. I think that’s just what you do.”

Phil Robertson.Karolina Wojtasik/A&E

Duck Dynasty aired on A&E and followed members of the Robertson family — including Phil and Kay Robertson, alongside three of their sons, Jase, Willie and Jep, plus several grandchildren and a few of their employees as they worked together at their family business, Duck Commander.

The series ended in 2017 after 11 seasons, though it spawned various spinoffs, including Going Si-Ral, Jep & Jessica: Growing the Dynasty, At Home with the Robertsons and Duck Family Treasure. A&E announced in January that the show would return to the network as Duck Dynasty: The Revival.

The Robertson family has grown since the popular series ended, with many of the younger cast members starting their own families.

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Phil, a Louisiana native and the founder and president of the hunting company Duck Commander, started the family business in 1972 with a now-patented duck call. He married Kay when she was 17, after she became pregnant with the couple’s first son.

Duck Dynasty: The Revival is expected to premiere on A&E this summer.