NEWNow you can listen to Fox News articles!
Rosie O’Donnell remembers a point in her career when she realized she had amassed more wealth than she thought she could.
The 64-year-old comedian revealed that he chose to leave his successful daytime talk show, The Rosie O’Donnell Show, after learning he had earned an estimated $100 million, saying no pay should be given to missing time with his children.
“When I heard that [number]I thought, ‘Okay, now I’m done,'” O’Donnell told Page Six. And everyone was like, ‘Why are you leaving?’
JENNIE GARTH ADMITS ‘SHOCKING’ MONEY AFTER ‘90210’ FAME
Rosie O’Donnell reveals the jaw-dropping number she acquired at the height of her fame. (Getty Images)
O’Donnell said reaching that financial milestone made him reevaluate his priorities.
“I had enough money to take care of everyone in my life, helpers and strangers,” she said. “I wanted to be at their softball games. I wanted to be at the school games.”
O’Donnell hosted “The Rosie O’Donnell Show” from 1996 until 2002, when it ranked among the most popular daytime talk shows on television.
O’Donnell said Warner Bros. tried to keep the show alive by offering him an additional $100 million to stay on the air for two more years.
However, he refused.
“They were like, ‘Why would you say no?'” O’Donnell recalled. “And I was like, ‘Because I already have that money and if I think I need more, there’s something wrong with me.’
ROSIE O’DONNELL OPENS BACK TO ‘THE SHOW,’ LABELS ‘THEY HAVEN’T ASKED ME’
The actor added that he never understood those whose wealth becomes their main motivation.
“I can’t find billionaires,” he said. “I don’t see how people measure their life only by money, not what they can do for other people.”
While O’Donnell has long insisted that leaving television allowed her to become the mother she is today, she has also opened up about the struggles that come with raising a family – particularly her daughter Chelsea’s year-long battle with addiction and legal troubles.
The actress recently revealed an emotional reunion with Chelsea – who is currently serving time in prison – describing the tour as a breakthrough in their fractured relationship.
Rosie O’Donnell asked for prayers after her daughter, Chelsea, was sentenced to prison for violating her probation. (Oconto County Sheriff’s Office; Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for ELLE)
“It was the first conversation I had with him in 10 years that lasted more than 25 minutes,” O’Donnell told Page Six.
“The first time I saw him in a consistent way was four hours in jail,” he continued, explaining that Chelsea broke down in tears after a tornado warning forced the tour to end early.
ROSIE O’DONNELL QUIETLY RETURNS TO US AFTER LEAVING THE COUNTRY OVER TRUMP’S VICTORY.
“And it’s the first time I’ve seen, kind of, a sense of empathy from him,” O’Donnell said. “So, you know, he’s growing up, and I hope his future is brighter than the last ten years.”
After the visit, O’Donnell wrote a poem about the experience.
“The security guard explained the rules to him,” he wrote. “Only hello and goodbye / No money changed / Hands above the table / No loud voices.”
Elsewhere in the poem, O’Donnell said his heart “skipped[ped] beating” when he saw Chelsea, writing that his daughter looked “beautiful” and possessed a “healthy composure.”
CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
Rosie O’Donnell chose family over fortune at the height of her success. (Dave Bennett/Getty Images)
O’Donnell has publicly supported Chelsea throughout her legal troubles and struggles with addiction.
Last October, the actor shared a childhood photo of Chelsea on Instagram and asked for prayers from fans after his daughter was sentenced to prison after her case was dropped.
“My baby chelsea belle – before addiction took over her life – I loved her and I love her now as she faces a terrible future – prayers are being answered,” O’Donnell wrote.
A few days earlier, Chelsea had her probation revoked and was sentenced to prison, according to court documents reviewed by Fox News Digital.
O’Donnell has been open about his broken relationship with daughter Chelsea. (TheStewartofNY/FilmMagic)
At the time, O’Donnell told Fox News Digital that while the family’s journey was painful, they remained committed to supporting Chelsea.
LIKE YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE FUN NEWS
“I sympathize with those who struggle with addiction – Chelsea was born into slavery and it has been a painful journey for her and her four children,” he said in a statement. “We continue to love him and support him in these difficult times. Prayers are welcome.”
Chelsea’s legal troubles began to escalate in 2024, when authorities charged her with two counts of possession of methamphetamine, one count of drug possession, two counts of illegally obtaining prescription drugs and resisting or obstructing an officer, according to court records reviewed by Fox News Digital.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS PROGRAM
After her arrest, O’Donnell addressed the situation on social media, expressing hope that her daughter would receive treatment.
“So yes this is true – after being bailed out by her biological mother – chelsea was re-arrested – and is facing multiple charges related to being a drug addict,” O’Donnell wrote. “We all hope that he will be able to get the help he needs to turn his life around.”
