Duck Dynasty patriarch Phil Robertson dead at 79

The Associated Press

· Posted: May 26, 2025 1:55 PM EDT | Last Updated: 6 hours ago

Phil Robertson, who turned his tiny duck-calling involvement successful bluish Louisiana into a large concern and was the head of the household featured connected the world amusement Duck Dynasty, died Sunday, according to his family. He was 79.

Robertson's household announced successful December connected their Unashamed with the Robertson Family podcast that the patriarch of the clan had Alzheimer's disease. A statement connected societal media from Robertson's daughter-in-law didn't notation however helium died.

"Thank you for the emotion and prayers of truthful galore whose lives person been impacted by his beingness saved by grace, his bold faith, and by his tendency to archer everyone who would perceive the bully quality of Jesus. We are grateful for his beingness connected Earth and volition proceed the bequest of emotion for God and emotion for others until we spot him again," Korie Robertson wrote.

Phil Robertson skyrocketed to fame successful the aboriginal 2010s erstwhile the A&E web created Duck Dynasty, a world show presented similar a sitcom, which ran for 11 seasons. It followed the adventures of Robertson, his 3 sons — including Willie, who runs the family's Duck Commander institution — their wives and a big of different relatives and friends.

Phil Robertson and his boys were instantly recognizable by their agelong beards and their conservative, Christian and family-oriented beliefs.

That got Robertson into trouble, too. He told a mag newsman successful 2013 that cheery radical are sinners and African Americans were blessed nether Jim Crow laws. A&E suspended him from Duck Dynasty, but reversed people successful a fewer weeks aft a backlash that included erstwhile Alaska politician Sarah Palin.

At the time, Robertson's household called his comments coarse, but said his beliefs were grounded successful the Bible and helium "is a godly man." They besides said that "as a family, we cannot ideate the amusement going guardant without our patriarch astatine the helm."

Robertson was calved successful northbound Louisiana and spent his beingness successful the woods and lakes that marque up the portion called Sportsman's Paradise.

Robertson played shot astatine Louisiana Tech and taught school. He besides loved to hunt and created a duck telephone successful the aboriginal 1970s that helium said replicated the nonstop dependable of a duck.

The calls were the centrepiece of the Duck Commander concern Robertson would turn into a multimillion-dollar endeavor earlier A&E came calling. The household conscionable didn't merchantability outdoor and hunting gear, but a lifestyle.

"The Robertsons look everything from beavers to concern deals successful their ain peculiar mode — with a twist of down-home practicality and a crisp consciousness of humour," A&E wrote successful its promotion for Duck Dynasty.

Tributes determination in

Appreciation for Robertson appeared connected societal media soon aft this decease was announced, mostly from blimpish politicians.

Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, of Texas, wrote connected X: "The large #PhilRobertson passed today. He loved Jesus and he was utterly fearless. One of my fondest memories was duck hunting with Phil — helium was the champion changeable I ever met. And, successful 2016, helium recorded this astonishing commercialized for me. Rest successful peace, my friend."

"Saddened to perceive of the passing of Phil Robertson — a antheral of heavy faith, bold conviction, and unwavering emotion for his family," wrote Ben Carson, erstwhile lodging and municipality improvement secretary, besides connected X. "I'll ne'er hide the clip I spent with Phil and his fantastic household astatine their homestead successful West Monroe, La. We rode done the swamp, stopping astatine his favourite duck blinds earlier being welcomed by Miss Kay with a warm, home-cooked meal, surrounded by their extended household and adjacent friends."

A&E shared its ain tribute to the Duck Dynasty X account, writing: "We are saddened to perceive of the passing of Phil Robertson, a hunting manufacture pioneer and the patriarch of the beloved Robertson family. Our thoughts are with them during this hard time. We widen our deepest condolences and respect their privateness arsenic they grieve."