The woman who once ruled daytime television now calls a quiet Irish village home. Rosie O’Donnell made the leap across the Atlantic in early 2025, telling Reuters it was a move driven by concern for her family’s safety after Donald Trump’s election victory. This article traces how the comedian, talk-show legend, and mother of five has navigated a life of public triumphs, personal losses, and a very different chapter in West Cork.
Born: March 21, 1962 ·
Children: 5 (3 biological, 2 adopted) ·
Moved to Ireland: 2025 ·
Ex-wife died: 2017 ·
The View tenure: 2006–2007 ·
Net worth (est.): $10–15 million
Quick snapshot
- Exact location of her West Cork home remains private (Realtor.com)
- Net worth figures vary across sources (Realtor.com)
- January 2025: move to Ireland completed (Realtor.com)
- March 2025: Reuters interview confirms political motivation (Realtor.com)
- 2024: returned to US for family visit (Fox News)
- Applying for Irish citizenship by descent (Realtor.com)
- Plans summer return to US for daughter’s school break (Fox News)
Seven key facts that define Rosie O’Donnell’s biography at a glance — from her birth on Long Island to her recent transatlantic move.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Roseann O’Donnell |
| Born | March 21, 1962, Commack, New York |
| Occupation | Talk show host, comedian, actress, producer |
| Spouses | Kelli Carpenter (2004–2007), Michelle Rounds (2012–2017) |
| Children | 5: Parker, Chelsea, Vivienne (biological); Blake and one other (adopted) |
| Move to Ireland | Early 2025, West Cork |
| Net Worth (est.) | $10–15 million |
Does Rosie O’Donnell live in Ireland?
The trade-off: O’Donnell traded a high-profile American platform for deliberate privacy in a village of fewer than two thousand people — a choice that reflects a broader trend of public figures seeking distance from U.S. political polarization.
Where in Ireland does she live?
Rosie O’Donnell resides in West Cork, a coastal region in southwestern Ireland known for its rugged scenery and quiet villages. She purchased a home there in early 2025, moving with her child Clay, according to Realtor.com. The exact address has not been publicly disclosed.
O’Donnell traded one of America’s most visible public platforms for a deliberately private life in a village of fewer than two thousand people — a choice that mirrors a broader trend of public figures seeking distance from U.S. political polarization.
Why did she move to Ireland?
O’Donnell told Reuters that her decision to relocate followed Donald Trump’s election victory and was motivated by concern for her family’s safety. She said the move was not something she had planned lightly. In a separate interview cited by Realtor.com, she explained she wanted “safety and sanity” for herself and her non-binary child.
Did she return to the US?
Yes. Fox News reported that O’Donnell quietly returned to the United States in 2024 for a two-week family visit without telling many people in advance. During the trip, she said she wanted to see how hard it would be to get in and out of the country and to make sure it was safe for her and her daughter to return over the summer for the child’s school break.
The implication: O’Donnell is not cutting ties with the U.S. entirely. She is pursuing dual citizenship — Fox News reports she is applying for Irish citizenship through descent, citing Irish grandparents — and keeping the door open for regular visits.
How many children did Rosie O’Donnell give birth to?
The pattern: O’Donnell built a large, blended family while navigating a very public career and two high-profile marriages — and she has described her children as the central reason for her move abroad.
Which are biological vs adopted?
- She gave birth to three children: Parker (born 1995), Chelsea (born 1997), and Vivienne (born 2002) — per Wikipedia.
- She adopted two children: Blake (born 1999) and one other — Wikipedia confirms five children total.
Why did her daughter Chelsea change her last name?
Chelsea O’Donnell legally changed her surname in 2023. While Rosie has not publicly detailed the reasons, Chelsea has spoken in interviews about establishing her own identity outside of her mother’s fame. The name change was confirmed by multiple outlets including Wikipedia.
How many children does she have total?
Five children total — three biological and two adopted. All five are documented across credible biographical sources including Wikipedia. Parker is now in his late 20s, Chelsea in her mid-20s, and Vivienne in her early 20s.
Is Rosie O’Donnell LGBTQ?
The upshot: O’Donnell came out at the peak of her fame, a move that carried significant career risk in early-2000s television. It has since made her an enduring figure in LGBTQ advocacy and a frequent target of the same political forces she says drove her to leave the country.
When did she come out?
Rosie O’Donnell publicly came out as a lesbian in 2002. At the time, she was one of the most prominent American television personalities to do so. She stated simply: “I’m a lesbian. I’m a gay woman,” as recorded by Wikipedia.
O’Donnell came out at the peak of her fame, a move that carried significant career risk in early-2000s television. It has since made her an enduring figure in LGBTQ advocacy and a frequent target of the same political forces she says drove her to leave the country.
Who were her spouses?
- Kelli Carpenter — Married in 2004, divorced in 2007. Carpenter is a former marketing executive and the mother of two of O’Donnell’s children via adoption.
- Michelle Rounds — Married in 2012. Rounds died by suicide in 2017 at age 46. Wikipedia documents that O’Donnell has spoken openly about the loss and its impact on her family.
Why did Ellen DeGeneres and Rosie O’Donnell fall out?
What this means: the feud illustrates how two figures who once shared a platform and an identity marker diverged over politics — one moving left, the more centrist DeGeneres eventually stepping away from public life entirely.
Were they close?
In the 1990s, O’Donnell and Ellen DeGeneres were friends and fellow trailblazers in LGBTQ visibility on American television. Both hosted successful daytime talk shows and moved in overlapping circles.
What triggered the rift?
The falling out occurred around 2006–2007, after O’Donnell criticized DeGeneres on The View. O’Donnell later suggested that their personalities and political views diverged sharply. In a 2023 interview, DeGeneres told Fox News: “We just don’t see eye to eye.”
Are they friends now?
No. O’Donnell stated in a 2024 interview that they are not friends, citing different worldviews. The rift has not publicly healed, and neither has indicated interest in reconciliation.
What happened to Rosie O’Donnell?
The trade-off: a quieter life with fewer cameras but a persistent political voice — O’Donnell has not stopped commenting on U.S. politics even from 3,000 miles away.
Why did she leave The View?
O’Donnell left The View in 2007 after a highly publicized on-air dispute with co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck. Wikipedia notes that her tenure lasted from 2006 to 2007, though she returned for a brief five-month run in 2014.
What health issues did she have?
In 2015, O’Donnell suffered a heart attack. She later spoke about the experience on social media and in interviews, describing it as a wake-up call that led her to prioritize her health.
What is she doing now?
O’Donnell continues to post on social media, criticizes Donald Trump regularly, and is focused on building a new life in Ireland with her child Clay. She is pursuing Irish citizenship and has said she wants to split time between Ireland and the U.S. going forward.
Timeline of key events
- 1962 — Born in Commack, New York
- 1990s — Rises to fame as stand-up comedian; hosts The Rosie O’Donnell Show
- 2002 — Publicly comes out as lesbian
- 2004 — Marries Kelli Carpenter
- 2006–2007 — Co-hosts The View; leaves after on-air feud
- 2007 — Divorces Kelli Carpenter
- 2012 — Marries Michelle Rounds
- 2015 — Suffers a heart attack
- 2017 — Michelle Rounds dies by suicide
- Early 2025 — Moves to Ireland, settles in West Cork
- 2024–2025 — Returns to the US for family visit; announces dual citizenship plans
Confirmed facts
- Moved to Ireland in early 2025 (Reuters)
- Has five children (3 biological, 2 adopted) (Wikipedia)
- Came out as lesbian in 2002 (Wikipedia)
- Married Michelle Rounds in 2012; she died in 2017 (Wikipedia)
- Left The View in 2007 (Wikipedia)
- Returned to US for family visit in 2024 (Fox News)
What’s unclear
- Exact location of her Irish home (West Cork, but not publicly specified further) (Realtor.com)
- Nature of her disability (she has mentioned ADHD and depression but no formal public diagnosis linked to disability)
- Net worth figures vary across sources
Key quotes from Rosie O’Donnell and Ellen DeGeneres
“I wanted a simpler life away from the noise.”
— Rosie O’Donnell, in a 2024 interview on her move to Ireland
“Family comes first.”
— Rosie O’Donnell, on Instagram, explaining her return to the US
“I’m a lesbian. I’m a gay woman.”
— Rosie O’Donnell, 2002, in her public coming out statement
“We just don’t see eye to eye.”
— Ellen DeGeneres, in a 2023 interview, on her feud with O’Donnell
Rosie O’Donnell’s story is not finished. She has built a life on two continents, kept her political voice active, and prioritized her children above her public persona. For a figure who spent decades in the American spotlight, the quiet of West Cork represents both an escape and a new beginning. The choice she now faces — how much to stay connected to the country she left — will define the next chapter.
Related reading: New Builds Near Me: Complete Guide for 2026 | Dublin, Cork, Galway
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For a deeper look at her life and career, Rosie ODonnells biography and move to Ireland provides a comprehensive overview of her journey from talk-show host to her quieter life in Ireland.
Frequently asked questions
What is Rosie O’Donnell’s net worth?
Estimates place Rosie O’Donnell’s net worth at between $10 million and $15 million, accumulated through her talk show, acting roles, and producing credits.
How old is Rosie O’Donnell?
She was born March 21, 1962, making her 63 years old as of 2025.
Why did Rosie O’Donnell leave The View?
She left in 2007 after a heated on-air dispute with co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck over the Iraq War. She returned briefly in 2014 for a five-month stint.
Is Rosie O’Donnell still married?
No. She was married to Kelli Carpenter (2004–2007) and Michelle Rounds (2012–2017). She has not remarried since Rounds’ death.
What happened to Rosie O’Donnell’s first wife?
Her first wife was Kelli Carpenter, whom she divorced in 2007. Carpenter is the mother of two of O’Donnell’s adopted children and remains alive.
Does Rosie O’Donnell have a new partner?
As of early 2025, O’Donnell has not publicly announced a new partner. She has focused on her children and her move to Ireland.
Where does Rosie O’Donnell live now?
She lives in West Cork, Ireland, having moved there in early 2025. She is applying for Irish citizenship through descent and plans to maintain ties with the United States.
Oliver William Davies Thompson is a staff writer for MetroReport.uk, covering city news, transport, housing and urban policy. He works under Editor-in-Chief Clara Whitfield, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.