Rosie O’Donnell celebrates daughter Chelsea’s sobriety journey following arrest

Rosie O’Donnell throughout the years, has faced her ups and downs with her daughter Chelsea O’Donnell. The comedian and actress, has previously shared clarity publically, regarding her family issues. Recently Rosie O’Donnell, aged 63, has shared positive news regarding her 27 year old daughter. The win comes for the O’Donnell family, amid Chelsea’s struggle with sobriety.

Rosie O’Donnell shared a picture, celebrating her daughter on Tuesday, May 13. The picture uploaded on Instagram, had Chelsea standing at a podium.

“Another great day in sobriety !!!! #chelsea,” the Instagram caption read.

Rosie O’Donnell's daughter Chelsea seen smiling after months of legal struggles:

Chelsea’s latest public appearance, where she was photographed smiling while speaking to a small group, sparked a wave of online support. Though Rosie declined to reveal the photo’s context, fans took notice — many applauding the sight of Chelsea looking happy again after months of upheaval.

In September 2024, Chelsea was arrested in Wisconsin on felony child neglect and drug possession charges. She is the mother of four and entered a not guilty plea. Despite being released on bond, she was arrested again a month later, this time on additional felony drug charges and bail-jumping accusations.

In November 2024, Chelsea O’Donnell publicly accused her adoptive mother, Rosie O’Donnell, of refusing to help her following her arrest. Speaking to the Daily Mail, Chelsea recalled the phone call, saying,

“When I called Rosie to ask her to bail me out, she told me flat out, ‘You belong in there. I really can’t help you get out of there; I don’t want you to kill yourself. I don’t want to be responsible for you killing yourself."

Later that same month, Chelsea was arrested again—her third arrest. As confirmed by Us Weekly, police stopped a vehicle for having a loud exhaust and found Chelsea as a passenger. A background check revealed she was already out on bail for previous drug-related charges. According to court records, officers discovered a “clear smoking device” in her bra, which later tested positive for methamphetamine.

Rosie O’Donnell has always been open about her journey through motherhood. Among her five children is Chelsea, whom she adopted as an infant in 1997 alongside then-wife Kelli Carpenter. At the time, Chelsea joined older brother Parker O’Donnell, adopted by Rosie in 1995, and later legally adopted by Carpenter.

The couple continued to grow their family with the adoption of son Blake in 1999 and daughter Vivienne in 2002. O’Donnell and Carpenter eventually parted ways in 2004, but their blended family remains a central part of O'Donnell’s public life.

Rosie O'Donnell leaves America for Political Differences:

Rosie O’Donnell went ahead with her plans to relocate to Ireland, after President Donald Trump won the latest Presidential election. However her Irish citizenship has not yet been approved. The comedian moved to Ireland with her youngest child, Clay, who is autistic.

In an interview with the New York Times, Rosie shared her decision making process

"I never thought he would win again, But I said, ‘If he does, I’m going to move,’ and my therapist said, ‘Well, let’s make a real plan." she shared.