Willie Robertson opened up about the extent of his dad Phil Robertson’s health problems in a new interview.
Duck Dynasty patriarch Phil Robertson has been battling several health issues in recent months. In a new interview with Fox News Digital, Phil’s son Willie shared more details about those issues.
In an episode of the Unashamed podcast that aired earlier this month, Jase and Al Robertson told listeners that their father, Phil, 78, had been battling a blood disorder and was in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.
“According to the doctors, they’re sure he has some sort of blood disease that’s causing all kinds of problems,” Jase said. “It’s causing problems with his entire body. And he has early stages of Alzheimer’s. So, if you put those things together, he’s just not doing well. He’s really struggling.”
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In an interview published Tuesday (December 17), Willie said that in addition to the health issues previously mentioned by his brothers, Phil has also suffered a fractured back and some possible ministrokes.
“He’s got a blood disorder, and then he’s got the mental issues that could be early [on-set] Alzheimer’s … and probably some ministrokes because of his blood,” Willie said. “And so, it could be some stroke stuff happening, that has happened. So, we’re still checking on all that. But then he also has a back issue; he’s fractured his back, and that’s where the pain’s at. So, he’s kind of battling many different things at the same time.”
He added that getting Phil relief from his back pain is top priority as it affects every aspect of his day-to-day life.
“We’re trying to get his back fixed up so that he can at least move around. We’re trying several different things. We’ve seen many doctors and [are] just getting the best care we can and best things that we can and trying to figure out what’s next,” Willie said.
Specifics about Phil’s blood disorder haven’t been shared, but Willie did say that that his dad’s condition causes him to “produce too much blood” and is possibly causing ministrokes.
“It’s hard with the mental stuff. It’s hard to determine exactly what these causes are, especially with early signs, it’s hard to determine brain damage from stroke or is that Alzheimer’s?”
Phil’s wife, Miss Kay Robertson, has dealt with her share of health problems this year as well.
Kay Robertson, Phil’s wife of 58 years, spent a few months of 2024 recovering from a previously undisclosed injury and sickness. While Kay’s hospitalization and subsequent rehab treatment were discussed on the Unashamed podcast, it was unclear what exactly she was dealing with.
In Willie’s interview with Fox New Digital, he shared that his mom had broken her foot and that it had affected her mobility. He shared that Kay would love to be doing more to help Phil but is content just spending time with him right now.
“They’re both down there, in the same spot. They sit in their chairs, and they’re doing the same thing. So, they’re keeping each other’s company for sure.”
Phil and Kay’s massive family has been candid about it being difficult to see their parents in poor health, but realize that it’s part of getting older and they’re learning on their faith to carry them through this difficult season of life.
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“[Phil’s] faith is such an important part of his life. And life is short and temporary, and he’s always known that. And we’ve always had such an eternal perspective, really, on life itself,” Willie said. “We’re not sad, we realize this is, you know, these are things that happen on this earth, and we deal with them.”
Hear Jase and Al Robertson talk about Phil’s health in the video below.