Early Life and Education of Rosie O'Donnell: A Complete Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Rosie O'Donnell, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

Rosie O'Donnell is an American comedian, actress, and talk show host. She gained recognition on Star Search in 1984 before transitioning to film and television. Her daytime talk show, The Rosie O'Donnell Show (1996-2002), earned her Daytime Emmy Awards and the nickname "Queen of Nice" due to her positive demeanor and philanthropic endeavors.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1933: Birth of Edward Joseph O'Donnell

In 1933, Edward Joseph O'Donnell, Rosie O'Donnell's father, was born.

1934: Birth of Roseann Teresa Murtha

In 1934, Roseann Teresa Murtha, Rosie O'Donnell's mother, was born.

March 21, 1962: Roseann O'Donnell Born

On March 21, 1962, Roseann O'Donnell was born. She later became a talk show host, comedian, and actress.

March 17, 1973: Mother's Death

On March 17, 1973, four days before her eleventh birthday, O'Donnell's mother, Roseann, died from breast cancer.

1973: Death of Roseann Teresa

In 1973, Roseann Teresa, Rosie O'Donnell's mother, died from breast cancer.

1980: High School Graduation

In 1980, O'Donnell graduated from Commack High School and subsequently attended Dickinson College before transferring to Boston University.

1995: Adoption of Parker Jaren O'Donnell

In 1995, Rosie O'Donnell adopted her first child, Parker Jaren O'Donnell, as an infant.

1996: Purchase of "Pretty Penny"

In 1996, Rosie O'Donnell purchased "Pretty Penny", a Victorian river home previously occupied by Helen Hayes, located in Nyack, New York.

1997: Birth of Mia

In 1997, Mia was born.

May 2000: Bodyguard Applies for Firearm Permit

In May 2000, O'Donnell's bodyguard applied for a concealed firearm permit due to threats against her and her family.

September 2000: Magazine Launch and Depression Revelation

In September 2000, Rosie O'Donnell's revamped magazine, Rosie's McCall's, covered topics like breast cancer and foster care. In the September 2000 issue, Rosie shared her lifelong struggle with depression and decision to start medication.

2000: Sale of "Pretty Penny"

In 2000, Rosie O'Donnell sold "Pretty Penny", the Victorian river home in Nyack, New York, to businessman Edward M. Kopko.

2000: Took in Mia

In 2000, the family took in foster child Mia and announced intentions to adopt her.

September 11, 2001: Response to 9/11 Attacks

Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, O'Donnell encouraged support for New York City's tourism and performing arts and pledged a $1 million donation for rescue efforts.

2001: Removal of Mia from Home

In 2001, the State of Florida removed Mia from Rosie O'Donnell and Kelli Carpenter's home.

March 14, 2002: Diane Sawyer Interview

On March 14, 2002, Diane Sawyer interviewed Rosie O'Donnell on PrimeTime Thursday where O'Donnell discussed her life and her views on Florida's ban on gay adoption. She also spoke about two gay men in Florida who faced having a foster child removed from their home because of this law.

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2002: Coming Out as Lesbian

In 2002, O'Donnell publicly came out as a lesbian and became an advocate for lesbian rights and gay adoption issues.

2003: Partnership for LGBT Family Vacations

In 2003, Rosie O'Donnell partnered with Gregg Kaminsky to launch R Family Vacations, offering vacation packages for LGBT families. She initiated the idea and came up with the name R Family Vacations.

February 26, 2004: Marriage to Kelli Carpenter

On February 26, 2004, Rosie O'Donnell married Kelli Carpenter in San Francisco. The marriage was a statement against President George W. Bush's support for the Federal Marriage Amendment.

July 11, 2004: Inaugural R Family Vacation Cruise

On July 11, 2004, the first R Family Vacations cruise set sail with 1600 passengers, including 600 children, featuring entertainment, activities, and discussions on LGBT parenting.

August 2004: Marriage Voided

In August 2004, Rosie O'Donnell's marriage to Kelli Carpenter was among thousands voided by the California Supreme Court.

November 2006: Foundation's Emergency Response Initiative

In November 2006, Nightline aired a report about The Children's Plaza and Family Center, an emergency response initiative by Rosie's For All Kids Foundation at a FEMA trailer park in Louisiana for families displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

October 2007: Release of Celebrity Detox

In October 2007, Rosie O'Donnell released her second memoir, Celebrity Detox, focusing on her struggles with leaving fame behind after exiting The Rosie O'Donnell Show and The View.

2007: Kelli Carpenter moves out

In 2007, Kelli Carpenter moved out of the home she shared with Rosie O'Donnell.

2008: Giving Up Alcohol

In 2008, Rosie O'Donnell stated she wasn't an alcoholic and had temporarily given up alcohol to lose weight.

November 2009: Disclosure of Separation

In November 2009, Rosie O'Donnell disclosed that Kelli Carpenter had moved out of their home in 2007 and that their marriage had ended in August 2004.

December 5, 2011: Engagement Announcement

On December 5, 2011, Rosie O'Donnell announced her engagement to Michelle Rounds during a taping of The Rosie Show.

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2011: Parker attends Valley Forge Military Academy

In 2011, Parker successfully lobbied his mother, Rosie O'Donnell, to send him to Valley Forge Military Academy.

June 9, 2012: Marriage to Michelle Rounds

On June 9, 2012, Rosie O'Donnell married Michelle Rounds in a private ceremony in New York.

August 2012: Heart Attack

In mid-August 2012, Rosie O'Donnell suffered a heart attack. An artery was 99 percent blocked, and a stent was inserted. She announced her intention to adopt a whole foods, plant-based diet.

January 9, 2013: Adoption of Baby Girl

On January 9, 2013, Rosie O'Donnell and Michelle Rounds announced they had adopted a baby girl.

February 2015: Filing for Divorce

In February 2015, Rosie O'Donnell filed for divorce from Michelle Rounds after two years of marriage.

August 2015: Daughter Goes Missing

In August 2015, Rosie O'Donnell tweeted that her 17-year-old daughter, Chelsea, had gone missing from their home in Nyack along with her therapy dog. Chelsea was found a week later in Barnegat, New Jersey.

2015: Death of Edward Joseph O'Donnell

In 2015, Edward Joseph O'Donnell, Rosie O'Donnell's father, passed away.

2016: Resuming Drinking

Following President Trump's first election victory in 2016, Rosie O'Donnell resumed drinking alcohol to cope with depression.

September 15, 2017: Death of Michelle Rounds

On September 15, 2017, Michelle Rounds, ex-wife of Rosie O'Donnell, died by suicide.

September 2024: Chelsea's First Arrest

In September 2024, Chelsea was arrested in Marinette County, Wisconsin on charges involving child neglect, domestic abuse, maintaining a drug trafficking facility, possession of methamphetamine, illegally obtaining prescriptions and drug paraphernalia, and misdemeanor possession of THC.

October 2024: Chelsea's Second Arrest

In October 2024, Chelsea was arrested again, this time in Oconto County, and soon afterwards charged with bail jumping, felony possession of methamphetamine and narcotic drugs, and misdemeanor counts involving possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting or obstructing an officer.

November 2024: Chelsea's Third Arrest

In November 2024, Chelsea was arrested a third time, again in Marinette County, on two felony counts of bail jumping, two felony counts of possession of methamphetamine, and a felony count of possession of narcotic drugs.

March 2025: Relocation to Ireland

In March 2025, Rosie O'Donnell revealed that she had moved to Ireland with her child, Clay, in January, citing political concerns and personal well-being.