Rosie O’Donnell On Wife Michelle Rounds’ Suicide: ‘It Wasn’t The First Time’

Rosie O’Donnell is still mourning the death of her wife, Michelle Rounds, due to apparent suicide.

During her first public appearance since Rounds’ death last month, O’Donnell told Extra that what happened to her was very “sad and tragic.” However, the 55-year-old actress also revealed that it was not the first time that Rounds tried to take her own life. “There was a time in September 2015. You think love has the answer. But mental illness has no say,” she said.

According to People, O’Donnell and Rounds tied the knot in their home in New York in 2012. Almost three years later, “The Fosters” actress filed for divorce, and they battled over the custody of their 4-year-old daughter, Dakota. Rounds initially filed for sole custody of their child, but the estranged couple finally reached settlement months later. In March 2016, their divorce was finalized.

Rounds passed away on Sept. 11, and O’Donnell released a statement to the publication at that time. “I am saddened to hear about this terrible tragedy. Mental illness is a very serious issue affecting many families. My thoughts and prayers go out to Michelle’s family, her wife and their child,” she said.

According to a statement obtained by The Blast, Rounds was found dead on her bed at home with prescription pill bottles nearby. However, suicide has not been ruled out and toxicology reports following her demise have yet to be released.

Meanwhile, Rounds isn’t the only person close to O’Donnell who she claims suffers from mental illness. The “Now and Then” actress previously revealed that her 20-year-old adopted daughter, Chelsea, has also been struggling with the illness. According to the actress, she also suffers from mental illness.

“She’s married now and on her own… But it was very difficult to find the help that she needed. I know for me – I suffer from major depressive disorder – in 1999, after the Columbine high school massacre, I went on medication and have been on it ever since. For me, it works in my life. It’s been a life jacket at times when I felt like swimming down, so for me, it’s something that we have to take the stigma away from,” she said.