Willie Robertson Shows Rare Moment of Emotion When Discussing Phil

The Robertsons returned to reality TV on Sunday, June 1, with the first episode of their new show, “Duck Dynasty: The Revival.” The 10-episode series gives fans an update on the lives of the famous family after they stopped filming “Duck Dynasty” in 2017, and how the new generation of Robertsons is taking over.

The premiere also coincided with the death of patriarch Phil Robertson, whose passing was announced by his family on Instagram on May 25. He was 79.

Willie Robertson Gets Emotional as He Thinks About Phil’s Ailing Health

Willie Robertson took over from Phil on the business side of things in 2002, when Phil handed his son the reins of his hunting apparel company and the title of CEO of Duck Commander. In the first episode of “Duck Dynasty: The Revival,” which was filmed ahead of Phil’s death, Korie asks her husband about his parents.

“We’re in that middle place of, like, taking care of aging parents, and taking care of kids and grandkids still. How are you doing with all this?” she asked him, Entertainment Weekly reports. “I’m totally, 100-percent fine,” Willie responds. But it is in the moments after this that his emotions get the better of him, and his eyes welled up with tears. “I know it’s not very Robertson to talk about your feelings, but you could talk about your feelings. I’m proud of you, babe,” Korie responds.

And just like that, Willie’s emotional moment is over, as he instead makes light of the situation. “God, those are the strongest onions,” he jokes about the vegetables he was chopping and how they were burning his eyes. But Korie later addresses the cameras and discusses Phil’s health and how his Alzheimer’s diagnosis had been a “struggle for all of us.” In the premiere, the family also chose to honor Phil with an in-memoriam tribute that showed archival footage of him.

What Has Wille Robertson Said About His Father Phil Robertson?

Before Phil’s death, Willie had opened up about his Alzheimer’s diagnosis, which he was diagnosed with in December 2024. “Dad’s not doing well at all. It’s definitely progressing,” Willie told Us Weekly on May 20. “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.”

At the time, it was reported that his mother, Kay Robertson, would make an appearance on “Duck Dynasty: The Revival,” which Willie described as “great.” He continued, “She’s probably not going to be able to do that in the future. She also has more health problems, as well. But we’re there.”

New episodes of “Duck Dynasty: The Revival” air on Sundays on A&E at 9 p.m. ET.