Rosie O’Donnell is going through a very troubling time. Not only is she leaving The View, it has also come to light that she is doing so to concentrate on her family life, as she and wife Michelle Rounds are over. She and Rounds reportedly split up in November, and Rosie is concerned about her children.
Cindi Berger serves as the rep for Rosie O’Donnell. She issued the following statement about her personal life and departure from The View.
“I can confirm that Rosie and her wife Michelle split in November. Rosie has teens and an infant at home that need her attention. This has been a very stressful situation. She is putting her personal health and family first. ABC has been wonderfully understanding and supportive of her personal decision to leave The View. Next week will be her last.”
Michelle Rounds and Rosie O’Donnell got married in June of 2012. The couple adopted a baby girl they named Dakota. Rosie has four older children.
Rosie O'Donnell exiting 'The View' next week after second brief stay to focus on children after divorce: http://t.co/B3gUqNOu5g
— The Associated Press (@AP) February 7, 2015
O’Donnell returned to The View this past fall. There was rumored friction behind the scenes, no doubt due in part to her first exit from the show back in 2007.
ABC also issued a statement confirming Rosie O’Donnell’s upcoming departure from The View.
“Rosie is an immensely talented star who comes in each and every morning brimming with ideas, excitement and passion for the show. When she told us she wanted to exit The View, we respected and understood her desire to put her well-being and her family first. We’re delighted she’s still part of the ABC family with upcoming guest appearances on The Fosters, and we know she’ll return to The View often with her unique point of view and updates on her work and her family.”
Rosie O’Donnell is debuting an HBO special on February 14th about the near-fatal heart attack she suffered in 2012. The show is called A Heartfelt Stand Up.
Are you more surprised to learn that Rosie O’Donnell is leaving The View or that she and Michelle Rounds have split up?