Phyllis Robertson Thomas and Phil Robertson | Source: Instagram/phyllisduckdaughter
Phyllis Robertson Thomas, the unexpected daughter of "Duck Dynasty" star Phil Robertson, embarked on a remarkable journey that all began with a DNA testing kit.
Self-discovery and unforeseen connections have left an indelible mark on Phyllis Robertson Thomas's life, transforming it in ways she never anticipated. Phyllis once thought she belonged to a family that shared her biological roots.
However, she has now fully embraced the process of reconnecting with her newfound father, Phil Robertson, and wholeheartedly embracing her new family.
Phil Robertson greets fans in the Duck Commander Compound at Texas Motor Speedway on April 5, 2014, in Fort Worth, Texas. | Source: Getty Images
Phyllis's Life before Discovering Her Famous Father
Phyllis, born in Ruston, Louisiana in 1975, developed a strong sense of independence, preferring to do things her way. She thrived academically in school, is a passionate reader, and attended church on her own.
Her childhood and teenage years were challenging until she found a supportive family to live with at the age of 14. At 17, Phyllis moved to Missouri to be closer to her brother, sister, and her new boyfriend, Tony.
She eventually finished high school and married Tony just two weeks later. They settled in Vidalia, Louisiana, and welcomed two children, Grant and Joel.
She pursued a nursing degree in college and later served as a missionary nurse and teacher in Managua, Nicaragua. Phyllis went on to earn a master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University online.
How a DNA Testing Kit Leads Her to Unexpected Connections
Phyllis's life changed unexpectedly when she discovered her connection to "Duck Dynasty" star Phil Robertson. This surprising revelation first unfolded in 2017 when her son's DNA ethnicity test results contradicted what they had been told growing up.
In a separate DNA test she had in 2019, Phyllis discovered that the man she believed to be her father was not her biological father. She also realized that her sister was only her half-sibling.
At first, she was curious about the possibility of reconnecting with her biological father. Despite some uncertainty, she began researching her father's name on her own before finally broaching the subject with her mom to learn her dad's true identity.
Initially, Phyllis's mom spoke evasively about revealing her father's identity but eventually relented after Phyllis had uncovered several family names. It was then that Phyllis's mom admitted that her dad was Phil. She recalled:
"She said, 'Well, he's the one that made the duck whistles.' I immediately went back and thought wow, if you plug that into the family tree, so to speak, it made all of the pieces fall in line."
Phyllis's reconnection to her real dad in 2020 was heartwarming. She recalled that she flew to Monroe Airport after receiving a call to meet with Phil's family. She felt nervous as she disembarked from the plane.
At the airport, she met relatives she had never seen before, which made her feel a strong sense of belonging and acceptance. Afterward, they returned to Phil's home, where he and his wife, Kay Robertson, welcomed them.
Since reconnecting with her real family, Phyllis has moved closer to Phil's residence to spend more time with him and Phil's wife.
The reunion was an emotional moment for Phyllis and Phil. During that time, Phil touched Phyllis's face and looked into her eyes, recognizing their resemblance. He said she was his daughter he didn't know he had, adding, "She was lost, but now she's found."
Phil also admitted that Phyllis was the result of an adulterous relationship that had occurred over four decades ago. Despite the complicated and seemingly unpleasant past, he welcomed his daughter with open arms.
Phyllis Continues to Make New Memories with Her New Family
Since reconnecting with her real family, Phyllis has moved closer to Phil's residence to spend more time with him and Phil's wife. Despite not sharing a blood relation, Kay openly expressed her happiness at having Phyllis as her daughter.
Kay remembered how Phyllis had been worried that this unexpected revelation might upset her, but a family member had reassured her, affirming that Phyllis was the daughter Kay had prayed for.
Phyllis and her dad have enjoyed some beautiful moments and memorable holidays together. They celebrated Father's Day by going to church and attending Phyllis's niece's baptism, and Phil even taught her how to make delicious crawfish au gratin.
"Duck Dynasty" gives glimpses of Phil's family and their business related to duck hunting, and it's one of the many reality series today that continues to captivate viewers.
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