Phil Robertson of Duck Dynasty Faces New Health Setbacks Amid Show Revival

WEST MONROE, LA — Phil Robertson, the patriarch of the Robertson family from the popular reality show Duck Dynasty, is facing new health challenges, including multiple fractured vertebrae, according to his son Jase Robertson.

Jase revealed on a recent episode of the ‘Unashamed Podcast’ that Phil, 78, has fractured more vertebrae in his back, bringing the total number of broken bones to at least eight. The condition was discovered after Phil’s initial back surgery in 2023 to repair several broken vertebrae caused by an aluminum boat accident.

“He has these conditions that, they do not seem like he’s getting better,” Jase Robertson said, expressing concern over his father’s deteriorating health.

Phil has been battling multiple health issues, including a blood disorder and early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. In 2023, he fractured his back while trying to load an aluminum boat, leading to surgery to repair the broken vertebrae. Despite the initial treatment, further complications have arisen, with doctors finding additional fractures.

“Missy went down Monday and he seemed fine mentally,” Jase shared. “But then yesterday (Tuesday) … he was gonna lead the prayer and he couldn’t lead the prayer. It was just a long pause.”

Phil’s health struggles come as the Robertson family prepares for the revival of Duck Dynasty, set to premiere on the A&E Network later this summer. The new season, titled Duck Dynasty: The Revival, will feature Willie and Korie Robertson, their children, and grandchildren, but Phil will not appear due to his health challenges.

“We’re trying to figure out the diagnosis, but according to the doctors, (Phil) has some sort of blood disease causing all kinds of problems,” Jase explained in a previous podcast episode. “We’ve got a team of doctors, and then we have another set of doctors who are looking at all the tests, and they’re all in agreement that there’s no curing what he has.”

Phil has remained optimistic despite his health struggles, often discussing his faith and resilience. In a previous statement, he wrote, “I will live out however many years the Almighty has for me with purpose. I will never fall prey to the temptation to give up and throw in the towel because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead.”

The original Duck Dynasty series, which debuted in 2012, became a massive hit for A&E, running for 11 seasons before its conclusion in 2017. The revival is expected to bring back the show’s signature humor and family dynamics, focusing on the next generation of Robertsons and their endeavors in Louisiana.