Rosie O'Donnell To Leave 'The View' After Split From Wife
Rosie O'Donnell is set to leave ABC's "The View," after splitting from her second wife, Michelle Rounds, according to multiple media reports.
O'Donnell, 52, and Rounds, who had been married for three years, have been living apart for several months, and O'Donnell feels that she needs to focus on caring for her five children, Page Six reported. In 2013, the couple adopted a daughter together.
"Rosie is an immensely talented star who comes in each and every morning brimming with ideas, excitement and passion for the show. When she told us that she wanted to exit 'The View,' we respected and understood her desire to put her well-being and her family first," a spokesperson for the network said in a statement.
O'Donnell's departure marks the second time the star has departed the ABC show, this time after less than six months back on air. She first hosted the show during the 2006-2007 season, but left before her contract ended after falling out with co-host Elizabeth Hasselbeck, according to People.
Next week will be O'Donnell's last on the show, ABC reportedly confirmed.
“I can confirm that Rosie and her wife Michelle split in November. Rosie has teens and an infant at home that need her attention,” O’Donnell’s rep, Cindi Berger, said in a statement, cited by Variety. “This has been a very stressful situation. She is putting her personal health and family first. ABC has been wonderfully understanding and supportive of her personal decision to leave ‘The View.’ Next week will be her last.”
The popular ABC show has been in turmoil since its creator and former host Barbara Walters retired last year. New hosts Nicolle Wallace and Rosie Perez have failed to win over viewers, and ratings are down 8 percent among its target demographic of women aged 18-49, USA Today reported.
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