Rosie O’Donnell has excluded her daughter Chelsea from her $80 million estate after relocating to Ireland as a protest against Donald Trump’s presidency, revealing deep family tensions alongside political dissatisfaction.
At a Glance
- Rosie O’Donnell has cut her daughter Chelsea out of her $80 million estate shortly before moving to Ireland
- O’Donnell relocated to Ireland with her 12-year-old daughter Dakota following Donald Trump’s re-election
- Chelsea has petitioned to change her last name to her birth mother’s maiden name, Neuens
- Chelsea is currently in a sober living facility while her youngest child is in foster care
- The mother-daughter relationship has been strained by Chelsea’s troubled past and legal issues
O’Donnell Leaves America for Ireland
Television personality Rosie O’Donnell confirmed on January 15 that she has moved to Ireland with her 12-year-old daughter Dakota. The 62-year-old comedian is pursuing Irish citizenship based on her grandparents’ heritage as she establishes a new life abroad. O’Donnell’s decision comes directly after Donald Trump’s presidential victory, which she cited as a primary motivation for her relocation despite the personal costs of leaving other family members and friends behind in the United States.
O’Donnell has been vocal about her adjustment to life in Dublin, sharing updates on social media about everyday challenges like driving on the opposite side of the road. She joins other celebrities including Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi who have also departed America following the recent election, with the latter couple choosing the United Kingdom as their new home base.
Family Estrangement Becomes Financial
In a dramatic development that coincided with her international move, O’Donnell has officially cut her adopted daughter Chelsea from her substantial $80 million estate. Legal documents confirm that Chelsea and any of her descendants have been specifically excluded from O’Donnell’s will and life insurance benefits. The disinheritance marks a formal escalation in their already troubled relationship, which has been characterized by public disagreements and periods of estrangement over the years.
Chelsea, currently residing in a sober living facility, has responded to the estrangement by filing to legally change her surname to Neuens, her birth mother’s maiden name. This apparent rejection of the O’Donnell family name comes amid reports that Chelsea feels unloved by her adoptive mother, with concerns that extend beyond the financial implications of being cut from the will.
A History of Conflict and Struggles
The relationship between O’Donnell and Chelsea has been fraught with difficulties for years. Chelsea has faced significant legal troubles, including arrests for child neglect and drug possession. Her youngest child currently remains in foster care, while her other children live with their father. Sources close to the situation indicate Chelsea has criticized O’Donnell for allegedly not providing adequate support during these legal challenges, further straining their already tenuous bond.
“I was never someone who thought I would move to another country, that’s what I decided would be the best for myself and my 12-year-old child. And here we are,” says Rosie O’Donnell.
O’Donnell has addressed aspects of Chelsea’s situation obliquely through poetry posted on Substack, acknowledging the name change petition but remaining silent about the financial disinheritance. Despite the personal turmoil, O’Donnell continues to focus on political concerns, advising her followers to “protect your sanity” in the current American political climate while expressing hope for positive changes in the future.
New Beginnings Abroad
As O’Donnell establishes her new life in Ireland, she has publicly praised the local population for their warmth and hospitality. The comedian, who has five adopted children in total, has indicated that the move represents a necessary fresh start for herself and Dakota. O’Donnell’s grandparents’ Irish roots have provided a pathway to citizenship, making the transition more feasible from a legal standpoint.
“Protect your sanity is all I can say. Protect your sanity as much as you can, and try not to swim in the chaos if possible, but I know it’s nearly impossible when you’re there in the middle of it,” concludes Rosie.
The timing of these major life decisions—cutting Chelsea from her estate and relocating internationally—underscores the complex intersection of family dynamics and political convictions in O’Donnell’s life. While she begins anew in Dublin with her youngest daughter, the decision to formally exclude Chelsea from her financial legacy suggests that some family wounds may not heal despite the geographical distance from previous conflicts.
