Phil Robertson, ‘Duck Dynasty’ Patriarch, Dies at 79

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/25/arts/phil-robertson-dead.html

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Phil Robertson, the patriarch of the hit show “Duck Dynasty” and the founder of the duck hunting gear business that became the foundation of his family’s reality television empire, died on Sunday. He was 79.

His death was announced by his son Jase Robertson in a social media post late Sunday. The post did not say where he died or specify a cause.

Jase Robertson said last year on the family’s podcast, “Unashamed with the Robertson Family,” that his father had early-stage Alzheimer’s disease and other health problems.

Mr. Robertson was one of the stars of “Duck Dynasty,” an A&E series that starred his family — Mr. Robertson and his wife, Kay; their sons; the sons’ wives; an uncle; and some grandchildren — and revolved around their business making and selling duck hunting gear.

Mr. Robertson was born on April 24, 1946, in Vivian, a rural town in the northwestern corner of Louisiana. He was one of seven children.

He attended Louisiana Tech University on a football scholarship and, after receiving his bachelor’s degree in physical education and a master’s in education, spent several years teaching in Louisiana schools.