Rosie O'Donnell says daughter cried during first meaningful talk in 10 years
Rosie O'Donnell is making progress with daughter Chelsea after years of estrangement.
The comedian revealed to Page Six that a recent visit to see her 28-year-old daughter in prison marked their first meaningful conversation in a decade that "lasted more than 25 minutes."
"The first time that I saw her in a consistent way was the four hours in the prison," O'Donnell said in the interview published Sunday, July 12.
During the emotional reunion, Chelsea O'Donnell cried, she said, though their visit was cut short after a tornado touched down nearby.
"And that's the first time I've seen, kind of, an empathetic emotion from her," the former "The View" cohost said. "So, you know, she's growing up... and I hope that her future is brighter than this past decade has been."
Chelsea O'Donnell was sentenced to prison last year for violating the terms of her probation following a series of arrests.
The "A League of Their Own" actress previously reflected on the visit in a poem published June 12 on Substack.
O'Donnell wrote that she warned her daughter she "may cry when I see her" in prison clothes. Chelsea O'Donnell reassured her, saying, "Why mom – it's not bad in here – I have friends now."
When Chelsea O'Donnell entered the visiting room looking "healthy" and "calm," O'Donnell said her heart skipped a beat. The two embraced and held each other "tight."
"I go splash cold water on my face as tears drop from my eyes," she wrote. "I try to shake the sadness. It's hard enough for her … she turns 29 this summer. And all I see when I look at her is a blonde baby in diapers."
She continued: "We have gotten closer thru these tense times, and I'm grateful for that. That she's alive. Looking forward to her release. Planning her post prison journey. Drug free."
O'Donnell adopted Chelsea O'Donnell as a baby in 1997 with her first wife, Kelli Carpenter.
Chelsea O'Donnell was arrested three times in 2024 on charges including maintaining an alleged drug trafficking place, child neglect, domestic abuse and possessing methamphetamine, THC, drug paraphernalia and an illegally obtained prescription.
After her daughter's third arrest, O'Donnell wrote on Instagram that Chelsea O'Donnell was "facing many charges related to her drug addiction." Chelsea O'Donnell later pleaded guilty to bail jumping, possessing methamphetamine and resisting or obstructing an officer, according to Entertainment Weekly.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental and/or substance use disorders, you can call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's free and confidential treatment referral and information service at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). It's available 24/7 in English and Spanish (TTY: 1-800-487-4889).
Contributing: Brendan Morrow and Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rosie O'Donnell says daughter cried during first meaningful talk in 10 years
Reporting by Charlie Carballo, USA TODAY / USA TODAY
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This story was originally published July 13, 2026 at 3:56 PM.