Bella Robertson Mayo, the youngest daughter of Duck Dynasty stars Willie and Korie Robertson, is opening up for the first time about a deeply personal struggle: infertility.

In a recent interview ahead of the premiere of Duck Dynasty: The Revival, Bella, 22, and her husband Jacob Mayo, 26, revealed that they’ve faced a challenging journey toward parenthood—one that has remained private until now.

“We share a story of infertility in the show, and that’s something that we haven’t really shared publicly that much,” Bella told Us Weekly. “I think people just don’t know what they’re talking about or who they’re talking to. When you just look at someone on social media, you can’t know what anyone’s going through.”

Since their wedding on a Louisiana farm in June 2021, Bella and Jacob have faced ongoing questions from fans about when they plan to start a family. But the couple explained that, despite appearances, it hasn’t been a simple road.

“I wish getting pregnant and having kids was as easy as people act like it is,” Jacob said. “Just, ‘Oh, I can just pop out a kid’ or ‘If we want to wait, we get to choose to wait.’ It’s not that transactional of a thing.”

He continued, “When people say stuff, it’s just like, if it was easy or if it was easy not to, we would. But it’s not that simple, I would say.”

Bella echoed that sentiment, saying, “When people comment about us having kids, we’re like, ‘Trust me, you don’t have to ask us.’”

The couple initially hesitated to bring their fertility journey into the new reality series but ultimately felt led to do so as an act of authenticity and encouragement for others who may be silently struggling.

“It was not an easy decision,” Bella admitted. “I don’t think we necessarily intended on sharing it even, but it felt right. … This is just one of the ways that we are showing up and being our authentic selves on this new show.”

She added, “I think that we both felt like if we could help anybody — especially, what are the odds that we’re on this stage where we can share something that is so real for so many?”

Their willingness to share comes at a time when infertility affects millions. According to the World Health Organization, around 17.5% of the global adult population—about 1 in 6—experience infertility. In the U.S., roughly 11 percent of women and 9 percent of men of reproductive age face the same issue.

Christian leaders like DawnCheré Wilkerson, who leads VOUS Church with her husband, Rich Wilkerson Jr., have also spoken openly about the pain of waiting and loss. After enduring eight years of infertility, Wilkerson said she learned the value of community.

“I would encourage anyone going through loss to not isolate,” she said. “It’s not about the words that are said but about having people who love you stand with you.”

Quoting Jesus’ words in Matthew 5 — “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” — Wilkerson emphasized that God’s comfort often comes through His people: “You’re blessed when you’re part of the community of God… even in your deepest, darkest pain, you will receive comfort from those around you.”

For Bella and Jacob, that message of shared pain and hope rings true. Their story is not just a glimpse into their personal life—it’s an invitation to others facing similar struggles to know they are not alone.