Willie Jess Robertson (born April 22, 1972) is an American TV personality, businessman, outdoorsman, hunter, and author. He is best known for his appearances on the reality TV series Duck Dynasty on A&E, and is the current CEO of the company Duck Commander. Robertson lives in West Monroe, Louisiana with his wife: Korie (m. 1992); and children: John Luke, Sadie, Willie "Lil Will", and Bella. Willie and Korie also foster a child from Taiwan named Rebecca.
Childhood
Robertson was born on April 22, 1972, at Tri-Ward General Hospital in Bernice, Louisiana, to Phil Robertson and Marsha Kay Robertson. He has two older brothers, Alan and Jase and one younger brother, Jep. As a child, Willie grew up around hunting and the outdoors, as well as a small business run by his father, Duck Commander. As a boy, Willie handled myriad tasks at the company, including building duck calls and even handling business calls.
Business
Ever since childhood, Willie Robertson and his brothers have been interested in the duck call business started by their father, Phil Robertson. He attended Harding University and graduated from The University of Louisiana at Monroe. In 2014 Harding University declared Willie and Korie Howard Robertson jointly as Outstanding Young Alumni. His business degree helped take Duck Commander from a family business to a multi-million dollar empire. Duck Commander is the company that generated a great portion of the wealth that he has acquired and also generated the interest to start the TV show Duck Dynasty. In 2006, Robertson started another pursuit, the company Buck Commander. This company has also created the Buckmen series of DVDs and the television show Buck Commander Protected by Under Armour on the Outdoor Channel. Along with Si, he appeared on an episode of Last Man Standing and makes a cameo in the Christian film, God's Not Dead, with his wife.
Willie Robertson was the guest of United States Representative Vance McAllister at the 2014 State of the Union Address by President Barack Obama.
Other characteristics
Robertson is known for his Christian faith and often strives to preach and bring people to Christ. He is a member of the Churches of Christ. He is also almost always seen wearing a bandana in the pattern of an American Flag on his head, and he often wears a white suit jacket to look more professional, though the jacket has drawn comparisons to The Dukes of Hazzard character Boss Hogg (Willie's Twitter handle is "williebosshog").
He is estimated to be worth approximately $20 million. Robertson, like many of his family members featured on Duck Dynasty, is known for his ZZ Top-style beard.
Filmography
- Duck Dynasty (2012â€"present)
- Last Man Standing (2013)
- God's Not Dead (2014) - Cameo appearance
Awards
Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal presented Willie Robertson with the inaugural Governor's Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence in February, 2014, at the Duck Commander warehouse in West Monroe.
References
External links
- Willie Robertson on Twitter
- Official website DuckCommander.com
