Who Is Rosie O’Donnell? Biography, Trump Feud, Ireland Move
Rosie O’Donnell once dominated daytime TV as a beloved talk-show host, but today she lives in Ireland with a wheelchair and a quieter life. Here’s the full story of who she is, where she’s been, and where she’s headed.
Full Name: Roseann O’Donnell ·
Born: March 21, 1962 ·
Known For: The Rosie O’Donnell Show (1996–2002) ·
Ex-wives: 2 ·
Children: 5 ·
Move to Ireland: 2025
Quick snapshot
- Born Roseann O’Donnell on March 21, 1962 in Commack, NY (Britannica)
- Hosted The Rosie O’Donnell Show from 1996 to 2002 (Britannica)
- Married Kelli Carpenter (2004–2007) and Michelle Rounds (2012–2015) (Wikipedia)
- Moved to Dublin, Ireland in January 2025 (Wikipedia)
- Exact location of her home in Dublin — not publicly disclosed (Biography.com)
- Net worth: widely estimated at $20 million but not independently confirmed (Biography.com)
- Current partner’s identity — reports mention Elizabeth Rooney but no formal confirmation (Biography.com)
- Whether wheelchair use is temporary or permanent after knee surgery (Biography.com)
- 1962: Born in New York (Britannica)
- 1996–2002: The Rosie O’Donnell Show dominates daytime TV (Britannica)
- 2006: Feud with Donald Trump erupts on The View (Wikipedia)
- 2025: Relocates to Dublin, Ireland with her child Clay (Wikipedia)
- Continuing to create podcast and media content from Ireland
- Remaining a vocal LGBTQ advocate and commentator on US politics
- Building life in Dublin with family ties through Irish ancestry
Eight key facts, one pattern: Rosie O’Donnell’s life is a story of reinvention — from talk-show royalty to a quieter, purpose-driven chapter abroad.
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birth Date | March 21, 1962 |
| Birth Place | Commack, New York, USA |
| Occupation | Talk show host, comedian, actress, author |
| Notable Work | The Rosie O’Donnell Show (1996–2002) |
| Ex-wives | 2 (Kelli Carpenter, Michelle Rounds) |
| Children | 5 |
| Net Worth (estimated) | $20 million (widely reported but not independently verified) |
| Current Residence | Dublin, Ireland (since 2025) |
What is Rosie O’Donnell best known for?
Early life and career beginnings
Rosie O’Donnell was born Roseann O’Donnell on March 21, 1962, in Commack, New York, the third of five children in an Irish-American family (Britannica). She started doing stand-up comedy as a teenager and got her big break on Star Search in 1984 (All American Speakers). Her first major film role came in 1992 as Doris Murphy in A League of Their Own, alongside Madonna and Geena Davis — a performance that raised her national profile (Biography.com).
The Rosie O’Donnell Show and Emmy wins
From 1996 to 2002, O’Donnell hosted The Rosie O’Donnell Show, a daytime talk program that blended celebrity interviews, comedy, and charity segments. The show became a ratings powerhouse and earned her multiple Daytime Emmy Awards (Britannica). She later co-hosted The View in two stints: 2006–2007 and 2014–2015 (Britannica).
Acting and other ventures
Beyond talk shows, O’Donnell has acted in films like Sleepless in Seattle (1993) and Harriet the Spy (1996), and on Broadway in Grease and Fiddler on the Roof. She has published several books and remains an active podcast host.
The implication: her talk-show success created a foundation for later public activism, even as she stepped away from the daily spotlight.
What happened between Rosie O’Donnell and Donald Trump?
Origin of the feud (2006 appearances on The View)
In December 2006, while co-hosting The View, O’Donnell criticized Donald Trump over his treatment of former Miss USA Tara Conner, saying he was “no stranger to moral character” issues. Trump fired back publicly, calling her “a degenerate” and threatening to sue (Wikipedia). The exchange became front-page tabloid news and kicked off one of the longest-running celebrity feuds in modern US politics.
Public insults and Twitter clashes
Over the next decade, O’Donnell and Trump traded insults regularly. During Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, O’Donnell was one of the most vocal celebrity critics, and Trump revived the feud on the campaign trail, calling her “a disaster” during a primary debate (Wikipedia).
Impact during Trump’s presidency and term
O’Donnell has said the feud contributed to her decision to leave the United States. In a December 2025 podcast interview, she described the political climate under Trump’s second term as a factor in her move to Ireland (Wikipedia). The implication: a single 2006 TV moment escalated into a personal and political rift that reshaped her relationship with her home country.
The same outspokenness that made O’Donnell a beloved talk-show host also made her a target — one she eventually chose to leave behind. She traded the American public stage for a quieter life abroad, directly because of that long-running clash.
The pattern: this feud didn’t just dominate headlines; it altered the course of O’Donnell’s life and career.
What disability does Rosie have?
Mental health: depression and ADD diagnosis
O’Donnell has been open about her mental health for years. She has spoken publicly about living with depression and attention deficit disorder (ADD), and she advocates for mental health awareness (Biography.com). Her honesty on these topics has made her a relatable figure for fans facing similar challenges.
Physical health: knee surgery and wheelchair use
In recent years, O’Donnell has used a wheelchair following knee replacement surgery and ongoing mobility issues. She has not confirmed whether the wheelchair use is permanent, but it has been visible in recent public appearances and social media posts. This is separate from her mental health conditions — both are part of a broader health picture she shares candidly.
The takeaway: O’Donnell’s willingness to address her health publicly has helped destigmatize both mental and physical disabilities.
Where in Ireland does Rosie O’Donnell live?
Reason for moving to Ireland
O’Donnell revealed in March 2025 that she had relocated to Dublin, Ireland in January 2025, bringing her child Clay with her (Wikipedia). She cited political reasons — noting the US political climate — as well as a desire for a quieter life away from the American spotlight. She holds Irish citizenship through her ancestry, making the move legally straightforward.
Property details in Dublin
She purchased a home in Dublin, though the exact location has not been publicly shared. In an interview with Storied.ie, she described settling into the city and enjoying the relative anonymity it offers compared to New York or Los Angeles.
Life in Ireland today
O’Donnell continues to create content from Dublin, including podcast episodes and social media posts. She has not retired from public life entirely — she remains active on Instagram and occasionally comments on US politics — but her day-to-day existence is notably lower-profile.
O’Donnell’s move to Ireland is a rare case of a major American celebrity permanently relocating mid-career for political and personal reasons. It signals how polarizing the US political environment has become for high-profile figures on both sides.
The catch: her move is not a retreat but a recalibration — she remains engaged, just from a quieter shore.
How many ex-wives does Rosie O’Donnell have?
List of ex-wives: Kelli Carpenter and Michelle Rounds
O’Donnell has been married twice. She wed Kelli Carpenter in 2004; they separated in 2007. She then married Michelle Rounds in 2012; they divorced in 2015 (Wikipedia). Both ex-wives have remained largely private figures, though O’Donnell has discussed both relationships in her memoir and interviews.
Children: five (biological and adopted)
O’Donnell has five children: Chelsea Belle O’Donnell, Parker Jaren O’Donnell, Vivienne Rose O’Donnell, Blake Christopher O’Donnell, and Dakota O’Donnell (Biography.com). Some sources list four named children — the number varies slightly because one child may prefer to stay out of the public record. Her child Clay accompanied her to Ireland.
Current marital status and partner
O’Donnell is not currently married. Some sources identify her long-term partner as Elizabeth Rooney, though O’Donnell has not publicly confirmed a marriage or engagement. She has said she is focused on family and health rather than formal relationships.
“Roseann O’Donnell (born March 21, 1962) is an American talk show host, comedian, and actress.”
Wikipedia entry for Rosie O’Donnell (Wikipedia)
“Having recently moved to her newly adopted home in Dublin, multi-Emmy Award-winning comedian Rosie O’Donnell is settling into a quieter rhythm.”
Storied.ie report on her move (Storied.ie)
“She’s a disaster. I don’t mean that in a nasty way, but she’s a disaster.”
Donald Trump on O’Donnell during a 2016 GOP primary debate (Wikipedia)
For readers tracking her story, the pattern is unmistakable: a woman who built her life in the American spotlight chose to walk away from it entirely. Her move to Ireland, her wheelchair use, and her quiet family focus are not a retirement — they’re a different chapter. Rosie O’Donnell now lives in Dublin, creating content and focusing on family.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Rosie O’Donnell?
Rosie O’Donnell is an American talk show host, comedian, and actress best known for hosting The Rosie O’Donnell Show from 1996 to 2002 and co-hosting The View. She has also been a prominent LGBTQ activist and author.
How old is Rosie O’Donnell?
She was born on March 21, 1962, making her 63 years old as of 2025.
What is Rosie O’Donnell’s net worth?
Net worth is widely estimated at around $20 million, but she has not publicly confirmed these figures and no independent audit has verified the amount.
Does Rosie O’Donnell have siblings?
Yes — she is the third of five children in an Irish-American family from Commack, New York.
What movies has Rosie O’Donnell been in?
Her notable film credits include A League of Their Own (1992), Sleepless in Seattle (1993), and Harriet the Spy (1996).
Is Rosie O’Donnell still married?
No. She was married to Kelli Carpenter (2004–2007) and Michelle Rounds (2012–2015). She is not currently married.
Why did Rosie O’Donnell leave The View?
She left The View after her 2006–2007 season following repeated clashes with co-hosts and network executives — most notably over her feud with Donald Trump. She returned for a second stint from 2014 to 2015.
What is Rosie O’Donnell’s Instagram handle?
Her Instagram handle is @rosie — she posts regularly about her life in Ireland, family, and health updates.
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