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April 10, 2025 – Rosie O’Donnell, the iconic comedian, actress, and former talk show host, has made headlines after reportedly cutting her daughter, Chelsea Belle O’Donnell, out of her $80 million estate just days before relocating to Ireland. The move marks a significant turning point in both her personal and political life.
The 63-year-old star, who has been an outspoken critic of former U.S. President Donald Trump, left the United States in January 2025 along with her 12-year-old daughter, Dakota. Citing deep concerns over recent policy changes in the U.S., including the dismantling of the Department of Education and new tariff measures under Trump’s renewed leadership, O’Donnell said she felt she could no longer raise her special-needs child in such an environment.
“I couldn’t live here anymore,” she wrote on Substack, adding that she was pursuing Irish citizenship through her family heritage.
Around the same time, it was revealed that O’Donnell had officially removed Chelsea, her 27-year-old adopted daughter, from her will and two trust funds. Sources close to the family indicate the decision came after a string of legal troubles involving Chelsea, who was arrested multiple times in late 2024 and is now serving six years of probation for drug-related offenses.
In response, Chelsea filed a legal petition to change her last name to “Neuens,” her biological mother’s maiden name, signaling a desire to break ties with her adoptive family. The move stunned many fans, but it appears to reflect the ongoing complexities within the O’Donnell household.
Rosie addressed the situation indirectly in a heartfelt poem shared online, expressing a mix of sadness, understanding, and continued love for her daughter. “I support her journey, even if it’s away from me,” she wrote.
Despite the family rift, O’Donnell seems at peace with her decision to leave the U.S., telling People Magazine that “there hasn’t been a moment” where she’s regretted the move. Now residing in the Irish countryside, she’s focused on rebuilding her life and supporting Dakota, away from the political chaos she says has consumed America.
