Duck Dynasty’s Phil Robertson Dies After Alzheimer’s Diagnosis
You probably *haven’t* mastered your celeb obituaries yet, so let me walk you through Duck Dynasty patriarch Phil Robertson’s final curtain call. Robertson died at age 79, his family confirmed on social media (source: HuffPost), roughly five months after publicly revealing his Alzheimer’s diagnosis. The cause of death remains unannounced, but his legacy—equal parts hit reality TV and divisive commentary—is crystal clear.
First, a quick refresher on why you’ve seen “Duck Dynasty” reruns everywhere: Robertson launched Duck Commander in 1972, a Louisiana-based hunting empire. The A&E reality series ran 11 seasons from 2012 through 2017 and made him a household name. Yes, his long white beard and folksy drawl sold millions of duck calls and launched spin-offs, merchandise lines and endless memes.
Now, let’s tackle the elephant—or rather, the controversy—in the room. Robertson didn’t just reel in mallard ducks; he fired off hot takes, too. Back in 2013, he told GQ magazine that “homosexual behavior” was sinful, prompting a brief A&E suspension (source: GQ interview). That statement sparked a national uproar and cemented his status as both a reality king and a culture-war lightning rod. He doubled down during the 2016 presidential race, endorsing Ted Cruz and labeling same-sex marriage as “nonsense,” “evil,” and “wicked” at a Cruz rally (source: Cruz campaign footage).
Unsurprisingly, Robertson continued wielding his microphone in later campaigns. He backed Donald Trump in both the 2020 and 2024 elections and even joined the then-president on stage in 2019, reinforcing his reputation as a conservative stalwart. His political cameos kept Duck Dynasty in headlines long after the cameras stopped rolling.
On the personal front, Robertson’s Alzheimer’s battle was shared publicly by his family in December, when they asked fans to pray for him. Tributes poured in from supporters and critics alike. Ted Cruz tweeted heartfelt condolences, calling Robertson “one of a kind” and “fearless in speaking the truth.” Cruz’s words underscore how Robertson’s identity was inseparable from his outspoken faith and politics.
So that’s the Cliff’s Notes version: a pioneering businessman turned reality star, whose off-camera convictions made him just as famous as his on-camera exploits. He leaves behind a sprawling family—wife Kay, sons Jase, Willie, and Jep—and an empire that will keep pumping out duck calls for decades.
Was that too much? Probably not, but you’re all set now. Glad I could clear that up for you.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and HuffPost, GQ, A&E Network, Ted Cruz’s Official Twitter
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
