Rosie O’Donnell Celebrates Daughter Chelsea’s Journey to Sobriety
Rosie O’Donnell is proudly acknowledging her daughter Chelsea O’Donnell’s achievements — both significant and minor — as she continues her journey to sobriety.
“Another fantastic day in sobriety !!!! #chelsea,” Rosie, 63, shared on Instagram on Tuesday, May 13, featuring a photo of Chelsea, 27, confidently standing at a podium.
Chelsea was spotted beaming while addressing a small audience. Although Rosie did not elaborate on the setting or context of the photo, fans quickly expressed their admiration for Chelsea’s cheerful disposition following a challenging period.
In September 2024, Chelsea faced arrest on charges of felony child neglect — being a mother of four — and drug possession in Wisconsin, to which she pleaded not guilty. She was released on bond, but a month later was arrested again for additional felony drug and bail-jumping offenses.
“Chelsea is in the headlines today — this photo is from a brighter time — here’s the family’s comment: Unfortunately, this isn’t new for us — Chelsea has battled drug addiction for ten years — we all hope she finds a way out of this fatal illness #💔 #love #alanon,” Rosie wrote on Instagram in October 2024, sharing a nostalgic photo of her eldest daughter.
Before being bailed out by her biological mother, Deanna Micoley, Chelsea publicly criticized Rosie, alleging in November 2024 that Rosie refused to assist her. “When I reached out to Rosie for bail, she flatly told me, ‘You belong in there,’” Chelsea claimed during an interview with the Daily Mail. “She added: ‘I really can’t help you; I don’t want to be responsible for you hurting yourself.’”
Later that month, Chelsea was arrested yet again. Us Weekly confirmed that Chelsea, a passenger in a car pulled over for a loud exhaust, faced her third arrest in November 2024.
When the police officer ran Chelsea’s details, they found she was out on bail for prior drug offenses. During a search of the vehicle and her person, a “clear smoking device” was discovered in her bra, which tested positive for methamphetamine, according to court documents.
“After being bailed out by her biological mother — Chelsea was arrested once more and is facing numerous charges tied to her drug addiction,” Rosie confirmed on Instagram in December 2024, adding, “We all hope she can get the support she needs to turn her life around.” Following the arrest, Chelsea was mandated to uphold her sobriety while out on bail.
Chelsea is one of Rosie’s five children. The Harriet the Spy actress adopted Chelsea, born in 1997, as an infant with her then-wife Kelli Carpenter. Chelsea joined her big brother Parker O’Donnell, who was adopted by Rosie in 1995 prior to Carpenter also legally adopting him.
Rosie and Carpenter, 57, later adopted son Blake O’Donnell in 1999 and daughter Vivienne O’Donnell in 2002 before parting ways in 2004.
Rosie welcomed her fifth child, Clay, in January 2013 with then-wife Michelle Rounds. Two years after Clay’s adoption, Rosie and Rounds divorced. (Rosie currently resides in Ireland with Clay. Rounds tragically passed away by apparent suicide in September 2017 at age 46.)
Earlier this month, Rosie shared another update about Chelsea’s new life. “Chelsea at her new job as a painter #🧑🎨 of ships — hard work #keeponkeepingon,” the comedian captioned a photo on social media on Monday, May 12.
After receiving an overwhelming wave of affection from her followers regarding this life update, Rosie remarked, “These replies made me 😢 thank you all.”
If you or someone you know is dealing with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
