Phil Robertson, the entrepreneur best known for his time on Duck Dynasty, has passed away. He was 79.

His passing was announced on social media by his daughter-in-law Korie Robertson, who wrote, “We celebrate today that our father, husband, and grandfather, Phil Robertson, is now with the Lord.”

A cause of death was not shared but it was previously reported that Phil had been battling multiple illnesses, including a blood disorder and Alzheimer’s disease.

His son, Jase Robertson, announced Phil’s diagnosis in December 2024, adding that the family is aiming to “make him more comfortable.”

“He’s just not doing well. He’s really struggling,” Jase said on the Unashamed podcast. He added that Phil’s blood disease had also “accelerated” and was “causing problems with his entire body.”

Phil was remembered by the official Duck Commander social media account.

“In the duck hunting world he was an innovator.. a man with an unwavering love for what he did best…and enjoyed most,” they wrote. “… The lives impacted by one man’s willingness to share the gospel is truly remarkable.. and we can only hope to make him proud by carrying out that legacy throughout our lives moving forward. Thank you Phil.. for always instilling in us what is truly most important. FAITH, FAMILY, and of course…DUCKS.”

Born in 1946 in Vivian, Louisiana, Phil received a football scholarship to attend Louisiana Tech University, where he played first-string quarterback with Pittsburgh Steelers legend Terry Bradshaw as his backup.

According to the Duck Commander website, Phil pursued a career teaching in Louisiana schools before he returned to his passion for hunting. In 1972, he invented a duck call that perfectly imitated the sounds of a duck. He patented the call and created the Duck Commander Company which, decades later, became the central focus of the hit A&E series Duck Dynasty.

The hit show aired on A&E from 2012 to 2017 for 11 seasons. The show ended because the Robertsons reportedly decided “to focus on other ventures” in 2017. However, the show was recently rebooted and expected to return in A&E this summer.

The new series, titled Duck Dynasty: The Revival, will follow Willie Robertson and Korie Robertson and the next generations of the Robertson family.

Phil has been memorialized by several members of his family on social media, including his granddaughter Sadie Robertson. “One of the last things he said to me was ‘full strength ahead!’ Amen!” she wrote.

Jase also wrote, “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!”