‘Duck Dynasty’ Patriarch And Devout Christian Phil Robertson Dies At 79

Phil Robertson, whose company and family became the center of the popular A&E television series “Duck Dynasty,” died just months after receiving an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, his family said on Sunday. Robertson was 79.

In a social media post, the Robertson family said their “father, husband, and grandfather, Phil Robertson, is now with the Lord.” An avid outdoorsman, Robertson invented his first duck call in 1972, which was patented, and he started his company the next year. Decades later — under the leadership of his son, Willie — Duck Commander became a multi-million-dollar business and was featured in the show “Duck Dynasty,” which aired for 11 seasons between 2012 and 2017 and became one of the most-watched reality shows on TV.

Robertson is survived by his wife, Kay, his sons Alan, Jase, Jep, and Willie, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Robertson’s condition seemed to worsen in recent months, according to his son, Jase, who said in December that the Alzheimer’s “accelerated, and it’s causing problems with his entire body,” adding, “He’s just not doing well. He’s really struggling.”

On the show and in his life, Robertson often spoke about his Christian faith and how God guided him out of poverty and gave him a successful business and loving family.

“He reminded us so often of the words of Paul, ‘you do not grieve like those who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him,” the Robertson family wrote. “Thank you for the love and prayers of so many whose lives have been impacted by his life saved by grace, his bold faith, and by his desire to tell everyone who would listen the Good News of Jesus. We are grateful for his life on earth and will continue the legacy of love for God and love for others until we see him again.”

Robertson grew up with six siblings in a poor Louisiana family, and from an early age, hunting became an important part of his life. In high school, Robertson excelled in multiple sports and earned a scholarship to play quarterback at Louisiana Tech University. He played two seasons in 1966 and 1967, winning the starting quarterback role ahead of the legendary Terry Bradshaw, who went on to be selected No. 1 overall in the NFL draft and won four Super Bowls with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Robertson didn’t come back to play in the 1968 season, instead choosing to pursue his passion for hunting.

“Terry went for the bucks, and I chased after the ducks,” Robertson said.

Robertson married Marsha Kay Carroway in 1966, and the couple had four children together, including other “Duck Dynasty” stars Jase, Willie, and Jep. The two remained married until Robertson’s death.

Robertson also spoke out about his conservative political views and was a supporter of President Donald Trump, appearing on stage alongside the president at a rally in West Monroe, Louisiana, in 2019. Jase told conservative podcast host Allie Beth Stuckey in February that Robertson shared the message of Jesus personally with Trump during the 2016 campaign, a message that the president remembered nearly four years later.

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“He shared the story of Jesus and he wrote it down, and so he handed the paper to President Trump, and he’s like, ‘You need to move on that. This needs to be the core of everything you do,'” Jase said. “So we’re fast-forwarding four years, and he came to Monroe, and my dad was there … and President Trump pulled out of his pocket that same gospel presentation that my dad had given to him four years before.”

“Duck Dynasty” shared a clip of some of Robertson’s moments on the show, posting on social media, “We are saddened to hear of the passing of Phil Robertson, a hunting industry pioneer and the patriarch of the beloved Robertson family. Our thoughts are with them during this difficult time. We extend our deepest condolences and respect their privacy as they grieve.”

We are saddened to hear of the passing of Phil Robertson, a hunting industry pioneer and the patriarch of the beloved Robertson family. Our thoughts are with them during this difficult time. We extend our deepest condolences and respect their privacy as they grieve. pic.twitter.com/UTlw1SvlcH

— Duck Dynasty (@DuckDynastyAE) May 26, 2025