Phil Robertson, a prominent figure in the reality television world and founder of the Duck Commander hunting company, has passed away at the age of 79, according to a family announcement made on Sunday. Robertson, who gained fame through his A&E show “Duck Dynasty,” had been grappling with several health issues, including Alzheimer’s disease.
The news of Robertson’s passing was shared on Instagram by his daughter-in-law, Korie Robertson. She expressed the family’s faith and hope, stating that their patriarch was now with the Lord. She quoted the words of Paul, emphasizing that their grief was not without hope, as they believed in the resurrection of Jesus and the promise of eternal life.
Korie Robertson also mentioned that the family would be holding a private service, with plans to share details about a public celebration of Robertson’s life at a later date. She expressed gratitude for the love and prayers from those whose lives had been touched by Robertson’s faith and his commitment to sharing the Gospel.
Before his rise to fame on television, Robertson was a football player at Louisiana Tech, where he was a starting quarterback with NFL legend Terry Bradshaw as his backup. In 1972, he founded Duck Commander, a company that would become the focus of the “Duck Dynasty” television show, which premiered 40 years later in 2012 and ran until 2017.
In a December episode of “Unashamed with the Robertson Family,” the family revealed Robertson’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis. His son, Willie Robertson, later spoke about his father’s health struggles, which included a blood disorder, potential early-onset Alzheimer’s, and possible mini-strokes.
In addition to these health issues, Robertson had also suffered a back fracture. His family members had been candid about his deteriorating health condition, with his son Jase Robertson admitting that his father was not doing well.