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Willie Robertson may be known for his signature beard and camouflage, but in his 20s, the “Duck Dynasty” star had a look that outside viewers could see.
According to his wife, Korie Robertson, that clean living period was actually his rebellious phase.
“I always say Willie’s 20s were his rebellious years,” Korie told Fox News Digital with a laugh. “He shaved and showered regularly and didn’t even wear camo. He wore a polo shirt and Girbaud jeans. He was 20 years old.”
It’s a far cry from Duck Commander CEO fans today, but Willie says moving away from the family’s hunting roots felt natural at the time.
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Willie Robertson and wife Korie Robertson reflected on how the “Duck Dynasty” star ended up returning to the Duck Commander family business. (Bryan Tarnowski/A&E 2026)
“In my 20s, I never dreamed that I would be working in the family business,” said Willie. “It’s not where I thought I’d end up.”
At the time, Duck Commander was still a growing project founded by Willie’s father, Phil Robertson. The 53-year-old businessman had ambitions beyond duck calls and hiding.
But as he approached his 30s, something began to change.
WATCH: KORIE ROBERTSON SAYS WILLIE’S CLEAN-SHAVEN 20S WERE THE ‘MAIN’ PHASE
“Little by little, he started to change a lot about being his father,” Korie said. “The beard started to grow, he started wearing more camo, he went back to the family business.”
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Willie and Korie Robertson share stories about their family, the legacy of Duck Commander and the return of the Robertson family on “Duck Dynasty: The Revival.” (Bobby Bank/WireImage)
What started as a comeback eventually turned into leadership. Willie helped grow Duck Commander into a nationally recognized brand and later became one of reality television’s biggest hits with “Duck Dynasty.”
Looking back, he says the path was far from predictable.
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“You never know how life can change,” said Willie. “They might end up being interested.”
Now, decades later, Willie – who recently joked that he was “completely retired” – finds himself in a different role. As the Robertson family returns for the second season of “Duck Dynasty: The Revival,” he watches his children and their spouses step into the spotlight and explore their businesses inside the Duck Commander’s warehouse.
WATCH: WILLIE ROBERTSON SAYS ‘NEVER DREAMED’ OF JOINING FAMILY BUSINESS IN HER 20S
“We’ve grown a lot,” Willie said of the family’s current chapter. “I’m still here.”
“So back in the day, it was just ducks. So now there’s a lot of different flavors of business going on in our area,” he added.
With that growth, he has gained a new perspective.
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“I always want them to do what they love and enjoy,” said Willie about his children. “If that happens to be Dada Commander, that’s fine. If it’s another business, that’s fine.”
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As the next generation takes the stage, some of the Robertson cousins get their first taste of reality television.
Korie said her son-in-law, Christian Huff, welcomed the filming from the start.
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“I will say Christian, I think he was very happy. He loved to record and he burst out loud, he went in,” he said. “That’s kind of our family’s motto, it’s like, value everyone, don’t hold back, just have fun, don’t take yourself too seriously and just go in.”
Willie laughed, joking that Huff might have been auditioning for the role long before the cameras came back.
Willie and Korie Robertson met at summer camp and married in 1992. (Willie Robertson/Facebook)
“Maybe Christian was watching ‘Duck Dynasty’ and he said, ‘I can totally do that. Just turn that camera on and let me go,'” Willie said.
Korie laughed and added, “Give me my chance.”
The return of the Robertson family to the screen continues as “Duck Dynasty: The Revival” enters its second season.
New episodes of “Duck Dynasty: The Revival” air Saturdays at 10 pm ET/PT on A&E.
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