“Duck Dynasty” Patriarch Phil Robertson Dies at Age 79

• May 26, 2025

Phil Robertson, the beloved patriarch of the Robertson family and star of the reality series Duck Dynasty, has died at the age of 79, his family announced.

Robertson became widely known after the A&E reality show Duck Dynasty, which aired from 2012 to 2017, brought his Louisiana family’s duck-hunting business and Christian values to national attention. The show followed the lives of the Robertson family and turned them into household names.

In a heartfelt post on social media, his family expressed their gratitude for the outpouring of support, saying: “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."

The family did not share the cause of death. However, in December, Phil's son Jase Robertson mentioned on the family podcast that his father had entered the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

Jase also shared a personal tribute online, writing: “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!” Robertson’s granddaughter, Sadie Robertson Huff, shared a touching final message from him: “One of the last things he said to me was ‘full strength ahead!’ Amen!”

Before his rise to fame, Phil Robertson was an accomplished athlete. He played as a quarterback at Louisiana Tech University in the 1960s and even started ahead of future NFL star Terry Bradshaw during the 1966 and 1967 seasons.

Robertson later shifted his focus to hunting and entrepreneurship. He invented and patented the Duck Commander duck call, eventually founding a business by the same name in the early 1970s. The company expanded to include a wide range of outdoor products, including deer calls, fishing gear, and truck accessories. Today, Phil’s son Willie Robertson serves as the CEO of Duck Commander.

Phil Robertson was also known for his conservative beliefs. In 2013, he faced a brief suspension from Duck Dynasty after making controversial comments about homosexuality in a GQ magazine interview. A&E later lifted the suspension, and the show continued without disruption. He supported Ted Cruz during the 2016 Republican primaries and later endorsed Donald Trump in both the 2016 and 2020 elections. Phil Robertson’s life was marked by faith, family, and a lasting impact on American pop culture.