As Duck Dynasty alum Phil Robertson continues to battle Alzheimer’s, his wife, Kay Robertson, is facing health challenges of her own.
According to their son Willie Robertson, dad’s health is declining. Willie shared exclusively in the latest issue of Us Weekly that his mother is also showing signs of Alzheimer’s or dementia, although she still has her good days.
While Willie, 53, was delighted to have his mother appear on the upcoming series Duck Dynasty: The Revival, he mentioned that fans shouldn’t expect her to make regular appearances due to her health issues. Willie emphasized that his mother’s health problems are increasing, but the family continues to support her.
Despite Phil, 79, and Kay’s health challenges, the family’s bond has grown stronger. Willie expressed that they still spend quality time together and have learned valuable lessons from his parents. Willie and his wife Korie are grateful for their experiences on Duck Dynasty and cherish the memories created during that time.
Reflecting on his parents’ reality TV stardom, he continued, “I think people don’t realize [when] the show started for them and Uncle Si [Robertson], they were all in their mid-sixties, and so they were retired and pretty much done. They thought they’d done everything in life. And so, for them to have that last push and be on television, and I’m just glad that people got to see them and enjoy that when we had that time.”
Willie is one of Phil and Kay’s four children, including brothers Alan, Jase and Jep. In 2020, Phil learned he is also father of a daughter named Phyllis following an affair he had in the ‘70s.
On a December 2024 episode of the “Unashamed with the Robertson Family” podcast, Jase, 55, revealed that his father had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Jase told his podcast listeners last month that Phil’s health “hasn’t been good.”
Amid a “really difficult” past year, Korie, 51, tells Us it’s been “sweet” to see how her husband has stepped up to look after his parents. “They’ve just come together and just really, it’s brought the family together in a way,” she explains. “And I know sometimes that can be something that tears families apart, but for our family, everyone’s just come around and brought them together.”
Willie agreed that his parents’ health gives him a greater appreciation for the “small, tiny moments” in life, in addition to bringing him and his siblings closer. “I’m glad they’re here,” he says. “I’m glad I get to see them a lot, too, ‘cause I know a lot of families don’t get to see each other a lot, but we do. It really has meant a lot.”
Fans will soon get to see the famous family back on screen when Duck Dynasty: The Revival premieres on Friday, June 1. The cast includes Willie and Korie’s daughter Sadie Robertson, who also exclusively opens up about her grandparents’ health in Us’ newest cover story. (Willie and Kori share a total of six kids, including Rebecca, 36, John, 29, Will, 23, Bella, 22, and Rowdy, 22.)
“Kind of a silver lining, blessing in disguise, is that their love for one another is so prevalent in the most beautiful way through such a tragic situation,” Sadie, 27, tells Us. “Just seeing two people love each other that much, who have loved each other since they were 15 years old, is so inspiring when it comes to love and going through hard times. And so, it has been very hard to watch them go through what they’ve gone through but seeing them comfort each other and it has been really, really beautiful.”
For more on Phil and Kay, watch the exclusive video above and pick up the latest issue of Us Weekly, on newsstands now.
Duck Dynasty: The Revival premieres on A&E Sunday, June 1, at 9 p.m. ET.
