Rosie O’Donnell has been candid about her troubled relationship with her adopted daughter, Chelsea.
The comedian, who has long been a public figure with a successful career, has shared her emotions over Chelsea’s decision to petition for a name change and her subsequent exclusion from O’Donnell’s will.
Their relationship, once full of promise, has been marked by public turmoil.
The latest chapter in their story unfolded when Chelsea, 27, filed to drop O’Donnell’s last name in favor of her birth mother’s maiden name, Neuens.
In response, O’Donnell cut Chelsea out of her $80 million estate, and Chelsea took to court with her name change petition.
O’Donnell’s Poetic Response to Chelsea’s Name Change Request
In a surprising move, Rosie took to her Substack account, sharing a deeply personal poem titled “my child chelsea.” In it, she opened up about the complexity of their relationship.
O’Donnell expressed that while Chelsea’s decision didn’t make sense to her, it wasn’t about her—Rosie was simply “here for her,” though Chelsea may not feel the same.
Despite the pain and frustration, Rosie emphasized her love for Chelsea, writing, “Same name or not, that’s my girl, fierce and determined.”
She explained that the love remains, regardless of the circumstances, and shared the poem with Chelsea’s consent.
A Troubled Past and Emotional Struggles
O’Donnell’s poem explored the troubled past between them, reflecting on how Chelsea’s struggles were made public after a series of bad decisions.
Rosie acknowledged that adoption stories are often complicated and that Chelsea’s difficult childhood, marked by troubled decisions in her teen years, played a large part in the public scrutiny.
Rosie also discussed the challenges Chelsea faced as she fought personal demons, including drug addiction and mental health issues.
Despite everything, O’Donnell has continually expressed that she will always love Chelsea, but the path to healing has been fraught with obstacles for both mother and daughter.
Chelsea’s Ongoing Journey to Recovery
In her poem, Rosie also touched on Chelsea’s efforts to turn her life around.
She recalled a recent court hearing where a Wisconsin judge praised Chelsea for completing treatment, something that moved Rosie to tears.
Rosie wrote about how hearing that Chelsea had earned her high school diploma “ten years too late” also brought her to tears.
She acknowledged that Chelsea is now working hard to better herself and that, despite their strained relationship, she is proud of her progress.
Rosie even expressed a desire to erase her own fame to give Chelsea the privacy and peace she needs.
Rosie O’Donnell Cuts Chelsea Out of Her Estate
In a significant turn of events, it was revealed that Rosie O’Donnell decided to remove Chelsea from her will and trusts just before leaving the U.S. to start a new chapter in Ireland.
The decision came after years of public disputes and Chelsea’s repeated run-ins with the law.
Chelsea, who is now in a sober living facility in Wisconsin, was reportedly unfazed by the decision, according to sources close to her.
While some might think Chelsea would be upset about losing access to her mother’s fortune, a source explained that for Chelsea, it’s never been about the money—it’s always been about feeling loved and wanted, something she has often felt deprived of in her relationship with Rosie.
Chelsea’s Legal Troubles and Probation
Chelsea’s recent legal troubles have also added tension to the already fractured relationship.
On March 31, she pleaded guilty to several felony and misdemeanor charges related to drug possession and child neglect.
She was sentenced to six years of probation with strict terms. If she violates any of the conditions, she could face significant prison time.
Her struggles with addiction, compounded by her tumultuous childhood and the public nature of her family drama, have made it difficult for her to find stability.
Rosie has previously pointed to Chelsea’s early struggles with addiction as a major factor in their complicated relationship.
Rosie’s Life in Ireland and Final Decision to Cut Ties
After the final rift with Chelsea, Rosie made the decision to leave the U.S. and start anew in Ireland.
Living in an upscale area near celebrities like U2’s Larry Mullen and actor Brendan Gleason, O’Donnell is seeking a quieter life with her youngest child, Dakota, who is non-binary.
Rosie has expressed a desire to eventually obtain Irish citizenship and feels more at peace in her new surroundings.
However, she has also acknowledged that she misses her other children and her friends back in the U.S. Despite the challenges of her past, Rosie is focusing on the future and trying to find a sense of home in her new life abroad.