Rosie O'Donnell's Prison Visit With Daughter Was Their Longest Talk in a Decade

What does it take to break a decade of silence? For Rosie O'Donnell, it was a visit to a Wisconsin prison. The actress and talk show host revealed to Page Six that her recent prison visit with her daughter, Chelsea Belle O'Donnell, was the longest conversation they've had in 10 years.

"[It] was the first conversation I’ve had with her in 10 years that lasted more than 25 minutes," Rosie said in the interview published July 12. She described the four-hour visit at Taycheedah Correctional Institution as "the first time that I saw her in a consistent way." The reunion was cut short by a tornado warning, which brought Chelsea to tears—a reaction Rosie noted was the "first time I’ve seen an empathetic emotion from her."

Rosie shared a significant positive update: Chelsea has been sober for "almost two years now." She called that "a very big part" of her daughter's journey, reflecting on Chelsea's difficult start.

Chelsea, 28, is serving time after her probation was revoked for multiple felony charges. Rosie adopted her in 1997 with her ex-partner, Kelly. Rosie is also mom to Parker, 31, Blake, 26, and Vivienne, 23.

The visit has reportedly inspired Rosie's upcoming one-woman show, which seems to focus on their complicated relationship. "I've asked for Chelsea's input," Rosie shared. "I sent it to her and said, 'I'd really love to get you—your voice heard...' and I think she's ready to do that now."

Rosie ended on a hopeful note: "She’s growing up, and I hope that her future is brighter than this past decade has been."