As Duck Dynasty alum Phil Robertson continues to battle Alzheimer’s, his wife, Kay Robertson, is facing health challenges of her own.
“Dad’s not doing well at all. It’s definitely progressing,” their son Willie Robertson exclusively shares in Us Weekly’s latest cover story. “And mom has shown the same type of symptoms of Alzheimer’s or dementia. It’s just part of life — and mom has her good days.”
Willie, 53, notes it was “great” to have his mother make an appearance on the upcoming series Duck Dynasty: The Revival, but tells Us fans of the original reality show shouldn’t expect frequent cameos. “She’s probably not going to be able to do that in the future,” he says. “She also has more health problems, as well. But we’re there.”
The family’s close-knit relationship has been stronger than ever amid Phil, 79, and Kay’s health struggles. “We [still] spend time together, but they lived a great journey and taught us a lot,” Willie tells Us. “[My wife] Korie [Robertson] and I are very appreciative of what we were able to do on Duck Dynasty, to be able to see that.”
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.
