“Duck Dynasty” star Phil Robertson has died. He was 79.
The professional hunter’s family revealed the news via social media on Sunday — just six months after they announced he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
Phil’s son Willie Robertson and his wife, Korie Robertson, wrote in a joint Instagram post, “We celebrate today that our father, husband, and grandfather, Phil Robertson, is now with the Lord…
“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 couple, who have been married since 1992, expressed that they “know so many […] love him and have been impacted by his life,” before revealing that they will be hosting a private service before doing a public one.
Willie’s brother Jase Robertson also took to X to post his own tribute to his father, writing, “My dad has gone to be with the Lord today! 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!”
Meanwhile, Phil’s granddaughter Sadie Robertson shared a series of photos via Instagram to remember her grandfather, including one from her wedding day to Christian Huff and another of her holding hands with Phil.
“As I was sitting with Papaw Phil today, I thought about this verse… he has already experienced this on earth—going from dead to alive by the power of Christ!” she wrote in part.
“It was his testimony that changed his life, our families [sic] life, and thousands of others. Now he is experiencing it in the fullness. Fully alive in Christ. The new has come. One of the last things he said to me was ‘full strength ahead!’ Amen!”
His wife, Kay Robertson, with whom he had been married since 1966, has yet to comment on social media about his death.
Back in December, Jase revealed via the family’s podcast, “Unashamed with the Robertson Family,” that the patriarch’s health had been declining in recent years due to what doctors believe was a blood disease.
“I think I spoke on the 1000th podcast. We were trying to figure out the diagnosis, but according to the doctor, they’re sure that he has some sort of blood disease that’s causing all kinds of problems,” he started.
“He’s had this for a few years, it’s just gotten a lot worse,” his brother Al chimed in.
Jase continued, “It’s accelerated and causing a lot of problems with his entire body and he has early stages of Alzheimer’s. So, if you put those things together, he’s just not doing well. He’s really struggling.”
At the time, Jase explained that his dad kept wanting to return to the podcast but that “his memory [was not] what it once was.”
“So, he’s literally unable to — and I think he would agree — to just sit down and have a conversation,” he added.
He also revealed that his dad had been rapidly losing weight, saying, “He just can’t retain weight, he keeps losing weight, and he’s just not able to do much.”
“Duck Dynasty” aired on A&E from 2012 to 2017 before being canceled. However, the series is set to return this summer as “Duck Dynasty: The Revival.”
The post ‘Duck Dynasty’ star Phil Robertson dead at 79 following Alzheimer’s diagnosis appeared first on Page Six.
