Rosie O’Donnell has made the unexpected choice to leave the U.S. behind and begin a fresh chapter in Ireland.
The outspoken comedian and actress revealed the news in a nine-minute video, updating fans on her big move.
Speculation about her relocation began earlier in March when she shared a selfie from behind the wheel, describing the struggle of adapting to driving on the opposite side.
“Got myself a little used car to explore the countryside—on the wrong side of the road,” she wrote, later joking: “Clipped the curb three times—thought I ran over a cat!!! #newadventures.”
Her move reflects a growing wave of celebrities heading overseas following Trump’s re-election.
Actor Richard Gere, for example, settled in Madrid, Spain, after selling his $11 million Connecticut estate, calling it a ‘great adventure.’
Similarly, former talk show host Ellen DeGeneres and her wife, Portia de Rossi, relocated to the English countryside in December. DeGeneres shared her excitement in a social media post, expressing how grateful she was for the opportunity to “travel and explore the world together.”
Rosie O’Donnell has made the surprising decision to leave the United States and start a new life in Ireland. Credit: @rosie/TikTok
In a newly released video, 62-year-old Rosie O’Donnell shared that she felt unable to remain in the U.S. under Trump’s leadership, ultimately deciding to leave on January 15—just days before his inauguration.
Opening up about her experience, O’Donnell told her 2.5 million followers that her time in Ireland has been “pretty wonderful.”
She added, “The people are so loving and so kind, so welcoming. And I’m very grateful.”
However, she admitted that there are aspects of her American life that she already misses.
Looking back on the significant life transition, she shared: “I never imagined myself moving to another country. But I realized this was the best choice for me and my 12-year-old child. And now, here we are.”
Though content in her new environment, she admitted: “I miss my other kids. I miss my friends. There’s a lot I miss about life back home, and I’m doing my best to create a home here in this beautiful country.”
The well-known liberal comedian and actress shared the news in a nine-minute video where she updated her fans about her relocation. Credit: @rosie/TikTok
O’Donnell also cited political unrest in the U.S. as a major factor in her decision to leave, stating, “And when it is safe for all citizens to have equal rights there in America, that’s when we will consider coming back.”
She went on to express her heartbreak over the changes following Trump’s election, adding, “It’s been devastating to witness what’s happening politically, and it has been personally difficult as well. The personal is political, as we all know.”
Reassuring concerned fans, she said, “For those of you who were worried and missed me, I’m sorry. We just felt it was important to prioritize our well-being, make tough choices, and follow through.”
“And now that we’re settling in, I felt ready to share this and let everyone know what’s been happening.”
O’Donnell has been an outspoken critic of Trump for years, even before he took office.
Recently, she used TikTok to slam Time magazine for selecting him as its 2024 Man of the Year, declaring: “Man of the Year, Donald Trump. Well, fk you, Time Magazine. Fk you, seriously.
“How about most dangerous man of the year? Or most criminal man of the year? How about the worst president we’ve ever had… of the year?”
