‘SHE NEEDS TO KNOW’ — Duck Dynasty’s Phil Robertson left family STUNNED by late-life CONFESSION of SECRET LOVE CHILD that shattered everything they thought they knew before his passing

In the final years of his life, Duck Dynasty patriarch Phil Robertson made a confession that would change his family forever. He revealed he had fathered a secret child—a daughter no one knew about until decades later. The news didn’t just shock the tight-knit clan—it stirred up questions of betrayal, forgiveness, and legacy. Why did he wait so long to share this truth? How did the family react behind closed doors?

Find out how one revelation shook a dynasty to its core in the full story.

DUCK Dynasty star Phil Robertson discovered he had a secret daughter just five years before his tragic death.

Patriarch Phil, who has passed away at the age of 79, only learned about Phyllis’ existence in 2020.

Phil Robertson of Duck Dynasty holding a call to his mouth.
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Duck Dynasty’s Phil Robertson discovered he had a secret child in 2020Credit: Shutterstock Editorial

Phil Robertson of Duck Dynasty with a woman, promoting his podcast, Unashamed.
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The reality star learned about daughter Phyllis five years before his deathCredit: YouTube/Phil Robertson
Phyllis was born after deeply religious Phil had an affair in the 1970s and she reached out to the family in a letter.

Speaking on the family’s Unashamed podcast five year ago, Phil’s eldest son Al explained how he had been contacted by a woman aged 45 who believed she was his sister.

Al said at the time, “So basically, it was from a woman who said that by a DNA search, she thinks that dad might be her dad.”

Phyllis’ letter was initially dismissed by Al due to her age, however they then realised she was conceived just before Phil had committed to Christianity.

“Well once we get into that and start looking at it a little more deeply, I’m like, ‘Oh woah, woah… there might be something to this’,” Al admitted.

Phyllis also sent a letter to Al’s brother Jase and they decided to tell Phil about her getting in touch.

Phil – who was already married to wife Miss Kay when Phyllis was conceived – agreed to take a DNA test and it proved he was a 99.9 per cent match to her.

Revealing they had met in person, Phil said in May 2020, “It’s a pretty cool explanation of redemption, reconciliation, love.

“As it turns out, 45 years, you have a daughter that you don’t know about, and she has a father she doesn’t know about.

“Forty five years that doesn’t sound like very long but you say, that’s a while. So finally, after all those years, we come together.”

Duck Dynasty dad Phil Robertson brings secret daughter on podcast as wife Kay says she’s ‘thrilled’ over husband’s love child
Last year, Jase revealed his dad had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

He told how the disease had accelerated and admitted his father was struggling.

Phil’s son, Willie, revealed his dad was battling several issues.

“He’s got a blood disorder, and then he’s got the mental issue that could be early Alzheimer’s… and probably some mini-strokes because of his blood,” he told Fox News Digital.

Willie also revealed that his dad was suffering from back pain.

The Duck Commander’s daughter-in-law Korie confirmed on (Monday) that Phil had died.

Jase also wrote on X, “My dad has gone to be with the Lord today!”

Statement announcing the death of Phil Robertson

“We celebrate today that our father, husband, and grandfather, Phil Robertson, is now with the Lord.

“He reminded us often of the words of Paul, “you do not grieve like those who have no hope.

“For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.

“Thank you for the love and prayers of so many whose lives have been impacted by his life saved by grace, his bold faith, and by his desire to tell everyone who would listen the Good News of Jesus.

“We are grateful for his life on earth and will continue the legacy of love for God and love for others until we see him again.

“We know so many of you love him and have been impacted by his life.

“We’re having a private service for now, but we’ll share details soon about a public celebration of his life.”

Source: Korie Robertson

Thankfully, Phil was able to spend time with his long lost daughter Phyllis before his health deteriorated.

Phyllis even appeared on Unashamed and told listeners how she had discovered Phil was her dad.

She said a commercial DNA test had shown her siblings were half siblings, so she and her husband began researching her family tree online.

“A little digging, internet searches, looking through the site, and put together a family tree, so to speak,” Phyllis said. “My husband helped me with it. We filled in a lot of blanks.”

Phyllis eventually managed to work out who she believed her father to be and delivered her letter to the Robertson’s church while he was preaching.

Recalling the moment they first met, Phil said he told his daughter, “Girl, you’re the best thing that ever came out of my past.”

At the time, Phyllis admitted she had never properly watched A&E’s Duck Dynasty and decided she didn’t want the show ‘to give her preconceived ideas’ of who her newfound family were.

Embracing her into his brood, Phil meanwhile told his daughter, “All I have to say it, welcome aboard.”

Phil and Kay Robertson visiting the "Extra" TV show in Times Square.
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Phil was already married to wife Kay when Phyllis was conceived during an affairCredit: Getty

Large group of people walking on a grassy field in front of a large painting.
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Phyllis met the family after bravely getting in touchCredit: Instagram/duckdynastyae