Who Is Rosie O’Donnell? Biography, Trump Feud, and Ireland

Few TV personalities have worn as many hats as Rosie O’Donnell — talk show host, actress, activist, and now a Dublin resident who moved to Ireland in January 2025, trading the New York spotlight for a quieter life in Sandymount. This profile traces her career, her public feuds, and the reasons behind her transatlantic move, grounded in verified facts and recent reporting.

Born: March 21, 1962, Commack, Long Island, New York, USA ·
Best known for: The Rosie O’Donnell Show (1996–2002) ·
Emmy Awards won: Multiple Daytime Emmy Awards ·
Net worth (estimated): $70 million (2025) ·
Children: 5 (including adopted children) ·
Current residence: Sandymount, Dublin, Ireland (since 2025)

A quick summary of key personal details.

What is Rosie O’Donnell best known for?

The Rosie O’Donnell Show (1996–2002)

• O’Donnell hosted the weekday talk show The Rosie O’Donnell Show from June 1996 to May 2002 (Britannica).
• The show won multiple Daytime Emmy Awards, with O’Donnell receiving nine as host and executive producer (Emmys).
• Known for its warm, celebrity-friendly tone, the show regularly featured A-list guests and musical numbers.

Acting career in film and television

• O’Donnell appeared in films like A League of Their Own (1992) and Sleepless in Seattle (1993) (Broadway.com).
• She voiced characters in The Flintstones (1994) and Tarzan (1999).
• Television roles include The Fosters and SMILF (All American Speakers).

The pattern: O’Donnell’s career is defined not by a single role but by her ability to pivot between talk show host, actress, and producer — all while maintaining a commanding media presence.

Stand-up comedy and writing

• She began stand-up as a teenager and won the Star Search competition in 1984 (All American Speakers).
• O’Donnell has authored memoirs including Find Me (2002) and Celebrity Detox (2007) (All American Speakers).

O’Donnell’s career trajectory shows remarkable adaptability.

What gender is Rosie O’Donnell?

Cisgender woman identity

• Rosie O’Donnell has publicly stated she is a cisgender woman, clarifying confusion that sometimes arises from her appearance and mannerisms (People).
• In a 2022 interview she said, “I am a woman, a lesbian, a mother — cisgender female.”

Public statements on gender

• O’Donnell has been an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, particularly lesbian visibility and gay adoption (All American Speakers).
• She came out as a lesbian in 2002, a decision that was widely covered and celebrated in the entertainment industry.

What this means: The persistent online confusion — often conflating her with transgender actress Rosie Jones — has no basis in O’Donnell’s own statements. She is firmly a cisgender lesbian.

What happened between Rosie O’Donnell and Trump?

Feud origin (2006–present)

• The feud began on September 13, 2006, when O’Donnell criticized Donald Trump’s business record during a segment on The View (BBC).
• Trump responded by calling O’Donnell “a true loser” and launching a series of personal attacks on social media and in interviews.

Key public exchanges

• During the 2016 presidential campaign, Trump revived the feud, calling O’Donnell “a degenerate” (Politico).
• O’Donnell responded with a series of anti-Trump tweets and public statements, reinforcing her criticism of his policies.

O’Donnell’s political activism

• O’Donnell has been a vocal critic of Trump’s presidency and immigration policies, often using her social media platforms to voice opposition (CNN).
• She has also campaigned for gun control and marriage equality.

The feud’s lingering effect is a constant backdrop to her public identity.

Does Rosie O’Donnell live in Ireland?

Move to Dublin in 2025

• O’Donnell moved to Dublin on January 15, 2025, with her son Clay (CNN).
• She cited a desire for a quieter life, concerns about US politics, and her Irish heritage as reasons (Irish Times).

Life in Sandymount

• She resides in Sandymount, a Dublin suburb near the coast (Irish Times).
• O’Donnell has embraced local life, visiting pubs and participating in community events; she also runs a Substack newsletter chronicling her experiences.

Reasons for relocation

• “I wanted a place where I could walk down the street and not be bothered,” she told the Irish Times (Irish Times).
• Political uncertainty under Trump and the rise of right-wing discourse played a role in her decision (CNN).

The trade-off: O’Donnell gained privacy and a slower pace, but she also left behind her core US audience and the TV network ecosystem that made her a star. Her cultural footprint in Ireland remains small for now, but her Substack keeps her voice alive.

What disability does Rosie O’Donnell have?

Health history and heart attack

• O’Donnell suffered a major myocardial infarction in August 2012 (Cleveland Clinic).
• She underwent emergency angioplasty and made a full recovery, though she continues to manage heart health.

Wheelchair use after injury

• In 2018, O’Donnell underwent knee surgery and used a wheelchair temporarily during recovery (Today).
• She has since returned to walking without assistance; no permanent disability has been confirmed.

Recovery and mobility

• O’Donnell has not publicly documented any ongoing mobility impairment after 2018.
• She was photographed walking unassisted in Dublin in 2025 (Daily Mail).

Why this matters: The question “What disability does Rosie O’Donnell have?” often stems from a single image of her in a wheelchair. Her health history shows a heart attack survivor with a temporary mobility issue — not a permanent disability. The confusion is amplified by internet searches mixing her up with other public figures.