Who Is Michelle Rounds? Rosie O'Donnell’s Ex-Wife Dies Of Apparent Suicide

Rosie O'Donnell's ex-wife Michelle Rounds died Monday at the age of 46 of an apparent suicide, TMZ reported first on Friday. The comedienne and Rounds were married for more than three years between 2012 and 2015.

“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,” O’Donnell, who shared 4-year-old daughter Dakota with Rounds, said in a statement.

Rounds' mother also released a statement Friday as she mourned the loss. "If anyone would like to give to the National Suicide Prevention it would be greatly appreciated," she said. "There are so many out there in this world that have demons that they think suicide is the only way out."

While reports and Rounds' family said it was a suicide case, a representative for the Orange County (Florida) Sheriff’s Department told Entertainment Tonight: “They are not calling this a suicide at this time," adding, "they are calling it a death investigation. We are waiting for the autopsy to come back.”

Rounds was born in Corning, New York, on May 10, 1971, to Roger and Gayla Rounds. She attended college at the State University of New York from where she moved to become a top recruiter for Modis in New York City, according to her Carpenters Funeral Home obituary.

"Michelle had an affection for animals and was always rooting for the 'underdog.' Michelle will be remembered for her beautiful smile and beautiful long flowing red hair; her signature some would say. The love she had for her family and friends was unconditional. Not to be fooled by her appearance; Michelle was a high-class 'tomboy who was a sharpshooter, enjoyed boxing, golfing and the great outdoors," her obituary states.

In 2012, Rounds was diagnosed with desmoid tumors, a rare disease that affects only three out of every million people. “It is such a rare tumor. It took them quite a while to get an accurate diagnosis. She had several gastrointestinal surgeries to remove the desmoid tumors. She is now on the road to recovery,” O’Donnell’s representative Cindi Berger said at the time. Back in 2015, Rounds was reportedly hospitalized for a drug overdose.

Rounds is survived by her wife Krista Monteleone, her parents, brother Tad (Janet) Rounds, two daughters and one stepson. Her family plans to hold a private memorial service and no public funeral.

O'Donnell filed for divorce from Rounds in February 2015, citing an "irretrievably broken relationship." The divorce was finalized about a year later, and the two were also involved in a custody battle for their daughter — who they adopted during their relationship, which began in 2011.

During the same time of her divorce, O'Donnell announced her exit from the talk show, "The View." "Rosie has teens and an infant at home that need her attention," her representative shared at the time. "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 comedienne is now married to Kelli Carpenter with whom she has four children, ages 4 through 22.