Phil Robertson Dies at 79 After Controversial Public Career

Phil Robertson, the late patriarch of the reality TV show Duck Dynasty, passed away at age 79 after battling Alzheimer’s disease. He was known for his rise from a humble upbringing to becoming a multimillionaire entrepreneur and a staunch Christian family man. Early in his marriage to Marsha 'Miss Kay' Robertson, Phil struggled with alcohol abuse, infidelity, and a violent temper, but eventually found faith and turned his life around. Despite his popularity, Robertson was a controversial figure, notably for his outspoken conservative views, including condemning homosexuality as sinful, which led to a suspension from Duck Dynasty in 2013 and drew both criticism and support. He was a vocal supporter of traditional family values, backed politicians like Donald Trump and Senator Ted Cruz, and received conservative accolades such as the Andrew Breitbart Defender of the First Amendment Award. His legacy is marked by both his family devotion and his role as a polarizing culture warrior.