Duck Dynasty premiered in 2012 and went on to become one of the most successful reality shows of the time. The late Phil Robertson was the heart of the show, as he ran his successful Louisiana-based business, Duck Commander, while surrounded by the chaos of his unique family dynamic. Using his old-school Southern values to deal with the pressures of running a business, the Robertson family patriarch instantly became a fan favorite. His no-nonsense approach to life, along with his deep-rooted faith and love for his family, was a standout element of Duck Commander compared to other reality shows back then.
Phil’s interactions with his sons, in particular, really resonated with the viewers because of how honest and natural they were. His oldest son, Willie Robertson, though, emerged as one of the show’s most important figures thanks to his role as the CEO of Duck Commander. Compared to his father’s more conventional ways, Willie embraced a more modern approach to running his family’s multi-million-dollar enterprise. When the show premiered, Willie had already been married to his wife, Korie Robertson, for 20 years. Now, with Duck Dynasty: The Revival, the couple is stepping into the limelight and taking over the role of sharing their family’s story.
Willie and Korie Robertson Just Celebrated Their 33rd Anniversary
While the original Duck Dynasty ended back in 2017, the Robertson family has kept the fans updated about their lives on social media and through their podcast, Unashamed With the Robertson Family. In January 2025, Korie took to Instagram to commemorate 33 years of her marriage to Willie. The two met at summer camp when they were kids, and despite attending different schools, they would keep running into each other at different events. Their friendship quickly blossomed into a romance, and the reality couple tied the knot after graduating from high school.
Korie’s Instagram post featured a nostalgic throwback to their first photo together, taken during one of their youth group trips. “We had no idea of what was to come! So incredibly thankful for the life we have lived and the family we have made together,” she wrote in the caption. While speaking to Woman’s World, Korie admitted that the secret to her and Willie’s long-lasting marriage is the deep friendship they share. The reality star noted that she has a lot of fun with her husband. According to Korie, they stay true to their family motto of being able to “laugh at yourself,” and that’s what keeps them going through good and bad times.
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The Duo Has Built a Loving Family Over the Years
Through the course of their marriage, Willie and Korie have welcomed three biological kids and adopted three children. They also fostered their daughter, Rebecca, in 2004 when she was a 16-year-old exchange student. Willie and Korie’s journey as parents was a central storyline on the original Duck Dynasty as they attempted to provide a stable and loving home to children in need. Naturally, the fans have always been invested in Willie and Korie’s lives behind the scenes. In many ways, their family dynamic was similar to Willie’s own upbringing in a large, active family living life with a strong sense of tradition. Today, the couple has six children and several grandchildren, many of whom are prominent parts of the revival series.
Korie Robertson’s Grounded Approach to ‘Duck Dynasty: The Revival’
During the premiere episode of Duck Dynasty: The Revival, which aired on June 1, 2025, Willie announced his intent to semi-retire from the business. This set the stage for the next generation of Robertsons to step up and carry their family legacy forward. While the original Duck Dynasty revolved around the expansion and growth of Duck Commander, the revival features Willie’s relentless hunt to find a worthy successor for the empire his late father built. In the same interview with Woman’s World, Korie opened up about the revival’s intent to honor Phil’s unwavering passion for duck hunting.
Korie believes that Duck Commander is more than just a business. It has been Phil’s way of passing on his love for the outdoors and all the lessons he has learned along the way to his children and grandchildren. Korie emphasized that while a large part of the revival catches the fans up with how the business has been doing, she and Willie are focused on preserving the essence of the original show.
By stepping back, Willie is preparing to pass the baton, and Korie is standing by his side as they navigate this shift together. This succession angle has definitely introduced an element of competition into their family dynamic, which makes way for rifts. However, Korie and Willie are committed to guiding their family through this transition and ensuring that they uphold the values of loyalty, respect, and faith that Phil instilled in them.
New episodes of Duck Dynasty: The Revival air every Sunday on A&E.