Rosie O’Donnell Says Jailed Daughter Chelsea Is ‘Growing Up’ After Emotional Prison Reunion

Rosie O’Donnell says her jailed daughter is “growing up” and showing signs the worst part of her life is behind her.

The 64-year-old has been detailing more about a recent visit to prison to speak to 28-year-old Chelsea who has battled drug addiction.

Speaking to Page Six on Sunday, July 12, O’Donnell described the June reunion with her eldest daughter Chelsea as “the first conversation I’ve had with her in 10 years that lasted more than 25 minutes”.

She added, “And that’s the first time I’ve seen, kind of, an empathetic emotion from her. So, you know, she’s growing up, and I hope that her future is brighter than this past decade has been.”

O’Donnell had previously described the four-hour meeting in prison on Instagram on June 12, explaining it left her in tears at times, but she was so happy that her daughter looked well.

However, the meeting had to be cut short when there was a tornado warning in the area.

At the time O’Donnell wrote on Instagram on June 13 that “love and forgiveness” was a must.

“Even when it seems impossible. Especially then, we live we learn we grow. Even at 64,” she continued.

O’Donnell is currently back on Broadway in the show, Common Knowledge, that includes themes of childhood, motherhood and her move to Ireland. However, she says her next show will be about her eldest daughter.

Chelsea appeared in court over felony bail jumping, resisting or obstructing an officer and possession of methamphetamine and child neglect in February 2025.

She was sentenced to six years of probation but warned at the time she could go to prison if she violated her probation rules. In October last year, her probation was revoked and she was sentenced to jail.

O’Donnell has previously spoken out about the “scary” sentence her daughter received.