Robertson household opens up about Phil’s Alzheimer’s analysis on “Duck Dynasty: The Revival ”premiere

Duck Commander isn't the identical with out patriarch Phil Robertson on the helm. However even earlier than his demise on Could 25 on the age of 79, the Robertson household was grappling with Phil stepping again from his function as the pinnacle of the Duck Dynasty empire after his early Alzheimer's analysis in December 2024. The premiere episode of A+E's new installment within the franchise, Duck Dynasty: The Revival, opens the lid on what these conversations regarded like among the many Robertsons.

"Right here's the factor I used to be desirous about: You’ve labored actually arduous for a very long time, and I really feel like, possibly you're going via just a few issues proper now," Korie Robertson tells her husband, Willie, on Sunday's premiere.

In 2002, Willie took over for Phil as CEO of Duck Commander, the searching attire and equipment firm Phil based that has since grown right into a multi-pronged conglomerate comprised of a publishing home, manufacturing firm, podcast studio, and extra. Although Willie dealt with the majority of the day-to-day affairs across the Duck Commander HQ in West Monroe, La., throughout Duck Dynasty's six years on the air, Phil nonetheless served as president of the corporate. His commanding presence additionally made him its de facto face, even after homophobic remarks he made in an notorious 2013 GQ profile led A+E to quickly take away him from the present.

In a quiet second at dwelling on the finish of the action-packed Revival premiere, Korie entreats Willie to open up about his larger-than-life father out of the blue being absent from every day enterprise at Duck Commander.

"We're in that center place of, like, caring for growing old dad and mom, and caring for youngsters and grandkids nonetheless. How are you doing with all this?" she asks and, for a second, thinks she's getting a honest reply.

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"I'm completely, 100-percent superb," Willie says, with a slight falter in his voice whereas chopping greens for a big pot of stew for a number of of his six grownup kids with Korie. Willie begins to tear up, and Korie rushes to his aspect to console him.

"I do know it's not very Robertson to speak about your emotions, however you can speak about your emotions. I'm pleased with you, babe," she says.

And not using a hint of sentimentality in his voice, Willie responds, "God, these are the strongest onions. They're burning the crap out of my eyes. You don't scent them?"

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Korie is aware of she's hit the well-known Robertson wall, previous which no ooey-gooey feelings are allowed. So she helps course of Willie's emotions for him in a confessional interview.

"So just lately, Willie's dad was identified with early Alzheimer's, and it's been a wrestle for all of us," she says. Along with Willie and Korie's six youngsters — Rebecca, John Luke, Sadie, Bella, Will, and Rowdy — their Louisiana homestead offers non permanent and longterm respite to Kay, Willie's mom; Willie's three brothers, their spouses, and their eight collective kids; Si and Christine, Willie's uncle and his spouse; and Willie and Korie's eight grandchildren.

Korie causes that, with a lot duty as the brand new head of Duck Commander — and the Robertson household — "he wouldn't need to admit it, however I positively suppose it's affected Willie, and I feel it's made him suppose actually arduous about his personal legacy."

Willie pronounces on the premiere episode that he's "totally semi-retiring" as CEO of Duck Commander. With so many potential successors and with out his dad's counsel, this season of Duck Dynasty: The Revival may play out like Recreation of Thrones.

Duck Dynasty: The Revival premieres on Sunday, June 1 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on A+E.

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