'Duck Dynasty' star Sadie Robertson reveals touching final words grandpa Phil told her before death at 79

WEST MONROE, LOUISIANA: 'Duck Dynasty' star Sadie Robertson revealed her grandfather Phil Robertson's final words to her before his death at 79 on Sunday, May 25, after battling multiple illnesses and Alzheimer’s disease.

Phil's son, Jase Robertson, revealed on the family's podcast in December 2024 that his father was in the "early stages" of Alzheimer's disease and that he was "really struggling," according to CBS News.

Sadie Robertson opens up about Papaw Phil’s final words to her

The 27-year-old took to Instagram to share a moving tribute to her grandfather, writing, "'Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.' – 2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭17‬ ‭ESV‬‬," per the New York Post.

"As I was sitting with Papaw Phil today, I thought about this verse… he has already experienced this on earth—going from dead to alive by the power of Christ!" she added.

Sadie also mentioned, "It was his testimony that changed his life, our families life, and thousands of others. Now he is experiencing it in the fullness. Fully alive in Christ. The new has come."

Concluding her post, she wrote, "One of the last things he said to me was 'full strength ahead!' Amen!"

Phil's daughter-in-law, Korie Robertson, also posted a tribute on Instagram after his death. "We celebrate today that our father, husband, and grandfather, Phil Robertson, is now with the Lord," she wrote. 

Korie added, "He reminded us often of the words of Paul, ‘you do not grieve like those who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.'"

Phil's son Jase announced his father's death on Sunday in a post on X (formerly Twitter), writing, "My dad has gone to be with the Lord today! He will be missed but we know he is in good hands, and our family is good because God is very good! We will see him again!"

Phil Robertson's Alzheimer's diagnosis was revealed just months before his death

Jase Robertson revealed on the family's podcast in December 2024 that his father was in the "early stages" of Alzheimer's disease.

He explained that his father's Alzheimer's "accelerated, and it's causing problems with his entire body," and added, "He's just not doing well. He's really struggling."

Jase once again spoke more about his father's health on the April 2 episode of the podcast and said that Phil was "not good," according to People.

Notably, Phil was a high school quarterback who went on to play at Louisiana Tech and started ahead of future four-time Super Bowl winner and Hall of Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw in 1966 and 1967.

He created and patented the Duck Commander duck call. He went on to name the company he incorporated in the early 1970s, Duck Commander.

Apart from duck calls, the company expanded into selling a variety of other products under other brand names, such as fishing equipment, deer calls, and even truck accessories. Phil's other son, Willie Robertson, currently serves as the company's CEO.

The A&E reality series 'Duck Dynasty', which ran from 2012 to 2017, followed the lives of the members of the Robertson family.