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Where Duck Dynasty's Sadie and Korie Robertson Stand With Phil's Secret Daughter

Three years after Duck Dynasty's Phil Robertson discovered he had fathered a daughter from a past affair, his family opened up about their unique dynamic in an exclusive interview with E! News.

By Gabrielle Chung Aug 23, 2023 10:15 PMTags
Watch: "Duck Dynasty" Star Has a Daughter From Past Affair

Not even a family bombshell can break up this dynasty.

Back in 2020, Duck Dynasty patriarch Phil Roberston discovered that he fathered a daughter from an affair he had decades ago. A DNA tested showed he was a 99.9 percent match with Phyllis Thomas, leading the family—including Phil's adult sons Willie RobertsonJep Robertson, Jase Robertson and Alan Robertson—to welcome her into the fold.

So, where do they all stand with Phyllis today? According to Sadie Robertson and Korie Robertson, who is Phil's granddaughter and daughter-in-law respectively, the family is closer than ever. 

In fact, Sadie exclusively told E! News' Francesca Amiker that she recently caught up with Phyllis during a lunch date. "It was so good," she said. "I was just sitting with her like, 'This is so crazy! I'm talking to my aunt that I didn't know for so long, but now you're my dad's sister.'"

The 26-year-old continued, "It's such a beautiful thing that we get to have this relationship."

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Korie credited the family's "amazing" dynamic to Phil's longtime wife and high school sweetheart Kay Robertson for being so accepting of Phyllis.

"Whenever Phyllis came into the family and we found out," Korie recalled, "Kay, from day one, just welcomed her with opened arms. She became part of the family very early on."

Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic

Since then, Phyllis has been invited to various Robertson gatherings, including Christmas dinner and a special family preview of The Blind, a biopic centered around Phil's younger years living in Louisiana during the 1960s.

Out in theaters Sept. 28, the film also depicts Phil's past struggles with alcoholism, as well as the toll his infidelity took on his marriage to Kay before turning his life around. 

"It's even more so about Kay and her life story," Korie said of the movie. "Kay had to choose to forgive him."

The 49-year-old continued, "That choice to forgive is so powerful. Forgiveness is a powerful thing in any of our lives—no matter if it's as big as what Phil and Kay went through or smaller. In marriage and in life, you have to be able to forgive and move forward."

Sadie said it was Kay's selfless decision to forgive Phil decades ago that allowed the matriarch to be so welcoming to Phyllis when they learned of her paternity.

Instagram/Phyllis Robertson Thomas

"If grandma Kay hadn't forgiven Phil 40 years ago, there's no way she could've welcomed Phyllis with open arms like that," she explained. "She already knew everything that happened—she didn't know there was a daughter, but she knew how bad it was—and there was a lot of confessions, repentance, forgiveness."

The Dancing With the Stars alum added that forgiveness also helped the family realize "something beautiful came out" of a difficult time.

"If you're willing to walk through the hard things," she noted, "walk past that regret, you can open your heart to receive the beautiful things."

The Blind hits theaters on Sept. 28.

To see more family moments with Phil and Phyllis, keep reading.

First Hunt

Duck Dynasty's Phil Robertson discovered in 2020 that he fathered a daughter named Phyllis from an affair he had decades ago, leading him to reconnect with his lost child and take her duck hunting.

"So thankful God brought us together after all these years," Phyllis wrote on her Instagram that November. "His timing is perfect, and every day and new experience is a gift."

Dad and Daughter

"This day ended my first duck season with a great hunt," Phyllis captioned this January 2021 snapshot. "And this day one year ago marks the beginning of my life with my real dad after learning paternity tests came back positive. Positive. Have there been ups and downs on this crazy ride? Yes. But we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose -Romans 8:28. I'm so very thankful this day and this one year anniversary ended on a positive note."

Under One Roof

Phil and his wife Kay "Miss Kay" Robertson invited Phyllis and her husband to celebrate Easter with their side of the family—including his brother Si Robertson—in 2021. 

Jelly Time

Phil taught Phyllis how to make mayhaw jelly in May 2021.

Father's Day

Phyllis celebrated her first Father's Day with Phil in 2021.

"Dad taught me how to make crawfish au gratin," she wrote on Instagram. "Delicious and memorable Father's Day, the first one I've ever spent with him."

Christmas With the Robertsons

Phyllis rang in Christmas 2021 with Phil and Miss Kay, as well as their adult kids Al Robertson, Jase Robertson, Willie Robertson and Jep Robertson.

Quality Time

The Robertson family went duck hunting in November 2022.

Good Hunting

"That's a wrap! From NE Louisiana to SE Kansas, duck season 2022-23 is in the books," Phyllis wrote in February 2022. "Loved spending time with my dad and family and friends. We had theological discussions and enjoyed the wonder of nature. I built some new skills, helped with a missions fundraiser, and shared the Gospel. And we whacked and stacked some waterfowl! I'd call that a successful season."

Easter Sunday

"We wish you a joyous Easter as we celebrate the miracle of the resurrection, our hope in Jesus, and the promise of what's to come," Phil wrote on Instagram in April 2023. "We pray that our story is your story—that you'll find light and hope in the living Savior. Happy Easter from our family to yours!"

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