“Duck Dynasty” star Phil Robertson has died. He was 79.
The news of the professional hunter’s passing was shared by his family on social media this past Sunday, merely six months following the announcement of his Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
Willie Robertson, Phil’s son, along with his wife, Korie Robertson, expressed in a shared Instagram message, “Today, we rejoice in knowing that our father, husband, and grandfather, Phil Robertson, is with the Lord…”
“We are thankful for the support and prayers from many whose lives were touched by his life redeemed by grace, his unwavering faith, and his eagerness to share the Good News of Jesus with anyone willing to listen. We cherish his time on earth and are committed to upholding his legacy of devotion to God and love for others until we reunite.”
The couple, who have been married since 1992, expressed that they “know so many […] love him and have been impacted by his life,” before revealing that they will be hosting a private service before doing a public one.
Willie’s brother Jase Robertson also took to X to post his own tribute to his father, 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!”
Meanwhile, Phil’s granddaughter Sadie Robertson shared a series of photos via Instagram to remember her grandfather, including one from her wedding day to Christian Huff and another of her holding hands with Phil.
“As I was sitting with Papaw Phil today, I thought about this verse… he has already experienced this on earth—going from dead to alive by the power of Christ!” she wrote in part.
“It was his testimony that changed his life, our families [sic] life, and thousands of others. Now he is experiencing it in the fullness. Fully alive in Christ. The new has come. One of the last things he said to me was ‘full strength ahead!’ Amen!”
His wife, Kay Robertson, with whom he had been married since 1966, has yet to comment on social media about his death.
Back in December, Jase revealed via the family’s podcast, “Unashamed with the Robertson Family,” that the patriarch’s health had been declining in recent years due to what doctors believe was a blood disease.
“I think I spoke on the 1000th podcast. We were trying to figure out the diagnosis, but according to the doctor, they’re sure that he has some sort of blood disease that’s causing all kinds of problems,” he started.
“He’s had this for a few years, it’s just gotten a lot worse,” his brother Al chimed in.
Jase continued, “It’s accelerated and causing a lot of problems with his entire body and he has early stages of Alzheimer’s. So, if you put those things together, he’s just not doing well. He’s really struggling.”
At the time, Jase explained that his dad kept wanting to return to the podcast but that “his memory [was not] what it once was.”
“So, he’s literally unable to — and I think he would agree — to just sit down and have a conversation,” he added.
He also revealed that his dad had been rapidly losing weight, saying, “He just can’t retain weight, he keeps losing weight, and he’s just not able to do much.”
“Duck Dynasty” aired on A&E from 2012 to 2017 before being canceled. However, the series is set to return this summer as “Duck Dynasty: The Revival.”
