Rosie O’Donnell has been a staple on American film and television since the 1980s. The 60-year-old earned her breakthrough on the 80s television show, Star Search, before going on to host the eponymous daytime talk show, The Rosie O’Donnell Show, which earned her close to a dozen Emmy Awards, and went a long way in inflating her net worth to its current $120 million.
Sadly, these commendable achievements have not shielded O’Donnell from personal and professional struggles. Not only has the 50-year-old had to deal with interminable scandals throughout her career, she’s also endured a messy high-profile divorce, the death of her father, and a strained relationship with her daughter, Chelsea. These stressors notwithstanding, O’Donnell has consistently prioritized her health, losing close to half her body weight in just ten years. So, just how did the Rosie Live star contrive such a remarkable lifestyle transformation? Read on to find out.
8 When Did Rosie O’Donnell’s Weight Issues Begin?
Rosie O’Donnell, who started showcasing her comedic talents as early as 1979, has been grappling with weight issues for most of her life. Things turned dire when the Rosie Live star hit the 200-pound mark at just 35.
“I’ve been trying my whole life,” she told People in 2015. “When I was 35 I got on my show, and that’s when I got over 200 lbs. Before that I was about 175, on League of Their Own, or 170. When I got my show I was over 200. It was a lot of pressure and a lot of stress.”
7 Rosie O’Donnell Suffered A Heart Attack In 2012
Despite being dangerously overweight, O’Donnell’s tipping point wouldn’t come till 2012, when she suffered a heart attack due to a severely blocked artery. Following a life-threatening surgery, O’Donnell realized she’d have to take drastic measures to address her weight issues.
“I had a heart attack at 50,” she said. “When I woke up, they said, ‘You should have died.’ Doctors said, ‘We need you to lose 50 lbs. in the next year, but you can t have surgery or anything in the next year because you’ve had a heart attack.’”
6 Rosie O’Donnell Had Vertical Sleeve Surgery In 2013
Although Rosie O'Donnell's blocked artery was ultimately corrected through surgery, the former The View moderator was still at risk of suffering another heart attack; an eventuality that, according t0 her doctors, was almost guaranteed to be fatal. As such, a year after the heart attack, the famed talk show host underwent vertical sleeve surgery, a procedure that would decrease the size of her stomach to about three or four ounces, curbing excessive food intake.
“One year after my heart attack I had the vertical sleeve surgery because my doctors said if I didn’t, I would have another heart attack,” she revealed to People in 2015. “And there was a very good chance I would not survive.”
5 Rosie O’Donnell Lost More Than 60 Pounds After Vertical Sleeve Surgery
Rosie O’Donnell experienced dramatic weight loss following her vertical sleeve surgery, losing more than 60 pounds in just a year. However, the award-winning talk show has often pointed out that, contrary to popular opinion, weight loss surgery is not a quick fix.
“Everyone has to approach it in a way that feels right with them, [but] once you have the surgery, it’s not a magic pill,” she said in 2015. “It’s still hard. You have to risk your life, and you’re in severe discomfort for a couple of months, and it forces you to modify your behavior when you haven’t been able to before.”
4 Rosie O’Donnell’s Surgery Altered Her Relationship With Food
Following her surgery, Rosie O’Donnell no longer had to contend with an incredibly problematic relationship with food.
“They told me the part of the stomach they remove have hunger hormones in it, called ghrelins,” she disclosed to People. “And that changes the way you think and feel about food. I feel so much freer now in terms of needing to move and play with my kids.”
3 Rosie O’Donnell Is Intent On Keeping The Weight Off
Rosie O’Donnell has implemented drastic lifestyle changes to prevent her weight issues from spiraling out of control yet again. Following her heart attack, the 60-year-old adopted a healthier diet plan and started exercising regularly. O’Donnell also began taking appetite suppressants in 2022, which have been quite useful in curbing her appetite.
“Two months ago, my doctor put me on Mounjaro … and Repatha. One I do every other week and one I do once a week,” she told her TikTok followers in January. “My appetite has decreased significantly. It’s probably the meds.”
2 Rosie O’Donnell Has Also Implemented Some Major Lifestyle Changes
Rosie O’Donnell has also been paying close attention to her diet, especially her fluid intake. The award-winning talk show host recently ditched her preferred beverage, diet coke, in favor of the much healthier alternative, water. O’Donnell has also ramped up on exercise, and consequently, dropped ten pounds during the holidays.
“Christmas I stopped drinking anything except water,” she explained to her TikTok followers. “I have had champagne one night that was a toast and I had wine one night, so it hasn’t been 100 percent.” “But I really stopped drinking like five or six Diet Cokes a day. All I drink is water now. And I’m not eating sugar as much as I can.”
1 Rosie O’Donnell’s Weight Loss Journey Is Paying Off On Multiple Fronts
Rosie O’Donnell’s lifestyle changes have paid off tremendously. Following her miraculous 2013 transformation, the I’ll Do Anything star no longer had to deal with some of the weight-related health challenges she’d become accustomed to. In addition, O’Donnell no longer has to contend with being publicly shamed for being overweight.
“I don’t have sleep apnea anymore,” she disclosed in 2015. “I’m able to run and play with the kids or get a bathing suit. It’s not easy to be obese in America and have everyone feel free to ridicule you. When I was in the midst of some of my spat wars with some Republican candidates, that was always one of the first things that was said. And now it’s like a different reality. We’ll see how long it lasts”