Rosie O’Donnell seems to be strengthening her bond with her daughter Chelsea O’Donnell.
“She’s sober, and that’s changed everything,” Rosie, 64, revealed in an interview with People published on Tuesday, July 21. She added, “She ran away at 17 to her birth mother and a very drug-addled community in Wisconsin. I recently visited her in prison, which was overwhelmingly emotional.”
In October 2025, Chelsea, 28, received a prison sentence after allegedly violating the terms of her six-year probation related to three consecutive drug-related arrests.
Reflecting on her recent visit, Rosie — who adopted Chelsea as a baby with ex-wife Kelli Carpenter — said, “I saw the kid that I used to know. She calls every day, and we talk.”
Earlier this month, the comedian provided further insights into her prison visit. (Chelsea is currently at Taycheedah Correctional Institution, a maximum-security women’s prison in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.)
“[The visit] was the first conversation I’ve had with her in 10 years that lasted more than 15 minutes,” Rosie shared with Page Six earlier this month. “The first time that I saw her in a consistent way was the four hours in the prison.”
She added, “I hope that her future is brighter than this past decade has been.”
Despite the challenges in her relationship with Chelsea due to her daughter’s struggles with addiction, Rosie has always maintained hope for improvement.
“I have compassion for those struggling with addiction,” Rosie previously told Us regarding her daughter’s incarceration. “Chelsea was born into addiction, and it has been a painful journey for her and her children. We continue to love and support her through these horrible times. Prayers welcomed.”
Rosie O’Donnell has been open about the difficulties her daughter Chelsea O’Donnell has faced. Following Chelsea’s arrest in November 2024 for the third time in a short span, Rosie addressed her daughter’s legal issues on Instagram. “So yes this is true – after being bailed out by […]
In a recent interview, Rosie also provided an update on her son Clayton, whom she adopted with her late ex-wife Michelle Rounds in 2013. (Rounds passed away in September 2017 at the age of 46.)
After revealing Clay’s autism diagnosis in September 2022, Rosie continues to be fascinated by her child’s unique talents.
“Clay’s vulnerability has forced me to be more connected and attached, making us closer than I had been with my other kids,” she noted. “Autism is so miraculously curious. Clay understands very big concepts for a kid who’s only 13.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
