Net Worth Ranker
What Is Rosie O’Donnell’s Net Worth?
Rosie O’Donnell, a prominent figure in American entertainment, has accumulated a substantial net worth of $80 million. This financial standing reflects her success as a stand-up comedian, actress, author, and media personality, spanning several decades in the industry.
Early Career and Rise to Fame
Roseann O’Donnell was born on March 21, 1962, in Commack, Long Island, New York. Growing up as one of five children, she attended Commack High School, where her popularity was evident through her election as homecoming queen, prom queen, senior class president, and class clown. After graduating in 1980, she briefly attended Dickinson College and Boston University but ultimately decided to pursue her career in entertainment.
O’Donnell began her career as a stand-up comedian, touring various clubs across the country from 1979 to 1984. Her breakthrough came with an appearance on “Star Search” in 1984, which opened doors to television opportunities. She made her television debut in 1986 on “Gimme a Break!” and later joined VH1 in 1988, hosting “Stand-up Spotlight.” Although her 1992 sitcom “Stand By Your Man” was short-lived, her film career began to flourish.
Her feature film debut was in 1992 with “A League of Their Own,” alongside stars like Tom Hanks, Madonna, and Geena Davis. She continued to appear in films like “Sleepless in Seattle” (1993), where she played Meg Ryan’s character’s best friend, and “The Flintstones,” where she portrayed Betty Rubble. Other notable roles included “Exit to Eden” (1994), “Beautiful Girls” (1996), “Wide Awake” (1998), and voicing Terk in Disney’s “Tarzan” (1999).
The Rosie O’Donnell Show and Television Ventures
In 1996, O’Donnell launched “The Rosie O’Donnell Show” with NBC Studios. This daytime talk show aired from June 1996 to May 2002, becoming a significant success and winning multiple Emmy Awards. Known as ‘The Queen of Nice,’ O’Donnell’s show covered a range of topics, including Broadway musicals and gun control advocacy following the Columbine shootings.
In September 2006, O’Donnell joined “The View” as a co-host and moderator, replacing Meredith Vieira. During her tenure, the show’s ratings increased by 27%. However, she left in 2007 due to disagreements with the network regarding her contract. Following her departure, she started a video blog on Rosie.com in March 2007, featuring “Jahero,” a series with her hair and make-up artist Helen Macaulay and writer Janette Barber.
From November 2009 to June 2011, O’Donnell hosted “Rosie Radio,” a two-hour radio show on Sirius XM Radio, where she discussed news and current events. In 2011, she began producing content for the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN), including “The Doc Club with Rosie O’Donnell” and specials like “Becoming Chaz” and “Miss Representation.” Her own show on OWN, “The Rosie Show,” aired from October 2011 to March 2012.
O’Donnell returned to “The View” in the fall of 2014 as a co-host alongside Whoopi Goldberg, Rosie Perez, and Nicolle Wallace. She left the show again in 2015, citing personal health reasons. Between 2013 and 2016, she appeared on various shows, including “Bomb Girls” (2013), “Smash” (2013), “Impractical Jokers” (2013), “The Fosters” (2014-2016), “Empire” (2015), “Mom” (2016), “Match Game” (2016), and “The $100,000 Pyramid” (2016). From November 2017 to March 2019, she was a cast member of the Showtime comedy “SMILF.” The diverse roles and appearances have contributed to Rosie O’Donnell’s net worth.
Other Ventures and Business Initiatives
Beyond television, O’Donnell has engaged in various other ventures. In 2000, she partnered with “McCall’s” magazine to create “Rosie’s McCall’s,” but she left in September 2002 due to editorial control disputes, leading to the magazine’s closure in 2003. She is also a published author, with children’s books like “Kids are Punny: Jokes Sent by Kids to the Rosie O’Donnell Show” (1997) and its sequel (1998), as well as memoirs “Find Me” (2002) and “Celebrity Detox” (2007).
Additionally, O’Donnell co-founded R Family Vacations with Kelli Carpenter and Gregg Kaminsky, catering to LGBTQ families. These diverse projects have played a role in shaping Rosie O’Donnell’s net worth.
Real Estate Investments
Rosie O’Donnell has a history of real estate investments, with numerous properties bought and sold over the years. In 1999, she purchased a home on Miami’s Star Island for $6.75 million, selling it in 2003 for $16.5 million. This property was later put up for sale in October 2024 for $54 million by the estate of its subsequent owners.
In 2013, O’Donnell bought a home in Saddle River, New Jersey, for $6.375 million. She initially attempted to sell it for $7 million in 2015, eventually selling it at a $1 million loss in April 2021. In July 2015, she acquired a property in West Palm Beach, Florida, for $5 million, selling it in January 2018 for approximately the same price.
In 2017, O’Donnell purchased a triplex condo in New York City for $8 million, listing it for sale in April 2024 for $7.5 million. She also owns a 2.4-acre compound in Nyack, New York, which she initially listed for $11 million in November 2017, later selling off portions while retaining the majority of the property.
In December 2021, O’Donnell acquired a 4,100 square-foot mansion in Los Angeles’ Beverlywood neighborhood for $4.6 million, listing it for sale just months later for $4.9 million. These real estate transactions reflect a dynamic approach to property investment, influencing Rosie O’Donnell’s net worth.
