Rosie O'Donnell Now Living in Ireland, Would Only Return to America 'When It is Safe'

Out comedian Rosie O'Donnell has verified that she's left the U.S. for Ireland, and says she will only "consider coming back" at a time "when it is safe for all citizens to have equal rights there in America..."

"In a TikTok video posted on Tuesday, March 11, the comedian confirmed she had moved to Ireland on Jan. 15 with her 12-year-old daughter Dakota, four days after she seemingly teased that she was living abroad in an Instagram post," People Magazine reported.

@rosie hello all - here's whats been going on folks - sending love ❤️- follow me on substack - link in my bio #bewell #speakkindlytoyourself #dourbest ♬ original sound - Rosie ODonnell

"I was never someone who thought I would move to another country," the 62-year-old actor and onetime talk show host told her followers, but, she added, "that's what I decided would be the best for myself and my 12-year-old child."

O'Donnell disclosed that she is pursuing Irish citizenship based on her grandparents having been born there.

She's loving her new life. "The people are so loving, and so kind, and so welcoming. I'm very grateful," O'Donnell told her fans.

The actor added that she's been turned off by how "dark and negative" TikTok has become, and said that due to "the hate that comes through" the platform. She's looking to have a presence on Substack instead, even though, she said, she found it harder to use.

O'Donnell said that though she is "happy, Clay [her daughter Dakota] is happy," there are downsides to having relocated, as well: "I miss my other kids, I miss my friends, I miss many things about life there at home, and trying to find a home here in this beautiful country."

O'Donnell was direct about the reason for her move, calling out the political situation in the U.S. under Donald Trump.

"It's been heartbreaking to see what's happening politically, and hard for me personally, as well. The personal is political, as we all know."

Still, "I'm so grateful - really grateful," O'Donnell said of her new life abroad.

Responses to the post were mixed, with some voicing resentment and others support.

"Make sure you leave all the millions you made from America in the US," one person commented. "The rest of the world stays to help America and figure the hard stuff out. Your wealthy arrogance picks up and moves. Good riddance."

Another offered a very different take: "welcome home Rosie 💚🇮🇪," they replied.

"She got the hell out of dodge," one person commented, while another put in, "the US is a sad place to be".

"I can't believe we live in a world where Rosie O'Donnell has to flee from America for safety 😫😫," someone else wrote.

O'Donnell is hardly alone in seeking a more tranquil place. Sharon Stone announced that she was considering moving to Italy, while Ellen DeGeneres reportedly fled the U.S. for the UK with her wife, Portia DiRossi, shortly after last year's election. Similarly, film star Minnie Driver, who had lived for decades in the U.S., returned to England.

The Economic Times took note of places around the globe deemed to be excellent options for American expatriates, which "include Panama City, Budapest, the French countryside, Belize, and Phuket, Thailand," all of which "offer low housing rates and easy ways to gain residency by providing small incomes."