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Phil Robertson, Duck Dynasty Patriarch, Passes at 79: A Life of Faith, Family, and Unapologetic Truth
On May 25, 2025, Phil Robertson, the bearded heart of A&E’s Duck Dynasty, left this world at 79, succumbing to Alzheimer’s disease and a blood disorder that marked his final days. Korie Robertson, his daughter-in-law, shared the family’s bittersweet farewell on social media, quoting scripture: “We celebrate today that our father, husband, and grandfather, Phil Robertson, is now with the Lord… You do not grieve like those who have no hope.” It’s a fitting send-off for a man whose faith defined him, from the bayous of Louisiana to the hearts of millions.
Phil wasn’t just a TV star; he was a testament to redemption. Born in Vivian, Louisiana, in 1946, he grew up hunting and fishing to survive poverty. A quarterback at Louisiana Tech—edging out Terry Bradshaw—he famously ditched the NFL for duck season, later inventing the Duck Commander duck call that built a multimillion-dollar legacy. Duck Dynasty, airing from 2012 to 2017, hooked 12 million viewers at its peak, showcasing Phil’s love for the outdoors, his rejection of “yuppie” nonsense, and his rock-solid Christian convictions.
His life wasn’t always so steady. Addiction and infidelity once threatened to unravel his marriage to Miss Kay, a raw chapter vividly captured in the 2023 film The Blind. We dug into that movie at Worth It or Woke, exploring how it lays bare Phil’s transformation through grace—a story worth revisiting for its unflinching honesty. You can find our thoughts on it here.
Phil’s bluntness sparked plenty of heat, like in 2013 when A&E suspended him over comments on homosexuality in a GQ interview. Fans rallied, and he was back in nine days, standing firm in his beliefs. In 2015, he backed North Carolina’s bathroom law, unbowed by backlash. Agree or disagree, Phil was no chameleon—he lived his faith.
His final years were tough. Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in December 2024 and battling a painful blood disorder, Phil faded from the vibrant patriarch fans knew. Jase Robertson noted on the Unashamed podcast that his father could no longer hold conversations or join the planned Duck Dynasty: The Revival. Yet, Phil’s faith never faltered, and his family pledged to carry forward his mission of loving God and others.
At Worth It or Woke, we see Phil’s story as a challenge to the world. His journey from rock bottom to redemption, as told in The Blind, speaks to anyone wrestling with their own flaws. Phil leaves behind Miss Kay, sons Alan, Jase, Willie, and Jep, daughter Phyllis, and a sprawling family, plus a legacy through Duck Commander and countless lives touched by his witness. Rest easy, Phil—you hunted well and found eternity.The post Phil Robertson, Duck Dynasty Patriarch, Passes at 79: A Life of Faith, Family, and Unapologetic Truth first appeared on Worth it or Woke.