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Willie Robertson<\/strong> always put on a united front with his family on Duck Dynasty<\/em>, but he went through a phase where he strayed from the path carved out by his relatives.<\/p>\n Willie, 53, and his wife, Korie Robertson<\/strong>, reflected on a time when he tried to make his own way without his family\u2019s business or their signature style.<\/p>\n \u201cI always say Willie\u2019s 20s were his rebellious period,\u201d Korie, 52, told Fox News Digital<\/a> in an interview published on Saturday<\/a>, March 14. \u201cHe shaved and showered regularly and didn\u2019t wear any camo. He wore Polo and Girbaud jeans. He was, like, preppy in his 20s.\u201d<\/p>\n Although Willie is now the CEO of the Robertsons’ Duck Commander business, he didn\u2019t always plan on following in his family\u2019s footsteps.<\/p>\n \ud83c\udfac <\/strong>SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox<\/strong><\/a> \ud83c\udfac<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cIn my 20s, I never would have dreamed I\u2019d have worked at the family business,\u201d he told the oulet. \u201cThat\u2019s not where I thought I would end up.\u201d<\/p>\n As Willie got closer to turning 30, though, he began to embrace his family\u2019s way of doing things.<\/p>\n \u201cGradually, he kind of started turning more into his dad,\u201d Korie recalled. \u201cThe beard started growing, he started wearing more camo and went back to the family business.\u201d<\/p>\n Willie, for his part, added: \u201cYou never know how life changes.\u201d<\/p>\n Courtesy Willie Robertson/Instagram<\/p>\n (Courtesy Willie Robertson/Instagram)<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n Luckily for fans, there is photographic evidence of Willie\u2019s clean-shaven look. From time to time, social media users can catch a glimpse of his younger self in throwback photos he posts from special moments such as his and Korie\u2019s January 1992 wedding<\/a>.<\/p>\n These days, Willie maintains the long beard and hair that viewers first saw on him and his family members\u2014including his late dad, Phil Robertson<\/strong>, uncle Si Robertson<\/strong> and brother Jase Robertson<\/strong>\u2014when Duck Dynasty<\/em> premiered in March 2012. The reality show aired on A&E for 11 seasons until April 2017.<\/p>\n In June 2025, Willie and Korie returned with Duck Dynasty: The Revival<\/a><\/em>. The series centers around the couple, their six adult children<\/a>\u2014Rebecca<\/strong>, 37, John Luke<\/strong>, 30, Sadie<\/strong>, 28, Will<\/strong>, 24, Bella<\/strong>, 23, and Rowdy<\/strong>, 23\u2014and their grandchildren.<\/p>\n Season 2 of the show pays tribute to patriarch Phil, who died in May 2025 at age 79<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve just been talking a lot about him and the impact he had on our family, obviously, but also the show itself,\u201d Willie exclusively told Parade<\/em><\/a> in an October<\/a> 2025 interview. \u201cWe\u2019re so glad we\u2019ve got all the memories and great video content of Phil. So starting off season 2, we get to really celebrate his life and walk the viewer down a little bit of memory lane about him.\u201d<\/p>\n In the wake of Phil\u2019s death, his legacy lives on through his family, with Willie noting, \u201cI can see parts of Phil in us as his kids and our spouses, and then even our grandkids. Our family motto that was started by Phil was faith, family and ducks in that order.\u201d<\/p>\n This story was originally published by Parade<\/a> on Mar 14, 2026, where it first appeared in the News<\/a> section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n