Rosie O’Donnell, the outspoken and beloved comedian, actress, and former talk show host, has never shied away from the spotlight—or from discussing her personal struggles. Over the years, fans have seen her grapple with family challenges, public controversies, and notably, her health. Now, at 63, O’Donnell is turning heads once again—not for what she said, but for the transformative journey she’s been on.
On May 23, 2025, O’Donnell shared a revealing Instagram post. Clad in a pale green sweater and collared shirt, she appeared vibrant and slimmer than fans have seen her in years. Her caption? Simple but powerful:
“I can’t believe this is me now #mounjaro #weightloss #bodydysmorphia.”
With those words, she reignited a national conversation around health, weight loss, medication, and what it means to take control of one’s well-being later in life.
While many health transformations begin with a wake-up call or a scary diagnosis, O’Donnell’s started with something quieter—a decision to move. In January 2025, she relocated from Los Angeles to Ireland with her 12-year-old child, Clay. The move was more than a change of scenery; it was a shift in pace, priorities, and perspective.
“I’ve lost more weight here,” she shared in a TikTok video just two months later. “I am on Mounjaro for my diabetes, and one of the side effects is you lose weight. But it’s also because I had a chef for over two years in Los Angeles, and I don’t have a chef now. It’s me cooking for Clay and me.”
Gone were the pre-prepared meals and Hollywood convenience. In Ireland, Rosie found herself in charge of her diet in a new way—choosing the ingredients, preparing food from scratch, and simplifying her relationship with eating. It’s a return to basics that many people romanticize but rarely stick with. For O’Donnell, it’s been a sustainable lifestyle pivot.
The weight loss medication O’Donnell referenced—Mounjaro (tirzepatide)—has become something of a hot topic. Originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes, Mounjaro also induces significant weight loss, leading to its wider use beyond diabetic patients. O’Donnell, like others living with diabetes, was prescribed the drug for glucose control. The weight loss? That was a side effect—albeit a welcome one.
Tirzepatide works by mimicking two gut hormones: GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide). These hormones regulate blood sugar, delay gastric emptying, and reduce appetite, creating a powerful one-two punch for both diabetes control and weight management. Mounjaro’s success has drawn comparisons to similar drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, though early data shows it may be even more effective in terms of pounds lost.
O’Donnell began seeing changes slowly but steadily. Unlike crash diets or quick-fix fitness plans, her progress was gradual—around one to two pounds per month. That slow pace, she notes, was actually reassuring. “It doesn’t feel like a fluke or a gimmick,” she said. “It’s not about starving myself—it’s about balance.”
The results speak volumes. She now wears a size large, down from an XL or XXL—a milestone she admits she’s still adjusting to. “I find it completely shocking,” she said, referencing the deeply personal nature of body dysmorphia and how perception often lags behind physical change.
O’Donnell’s transformation isn’t just medical—it’s psychological. For someone who has battled weight-related issues her whole life, the emotional shifts that come with weight loss can be just as profound as the physical ones.
Food, for many, is more than sustenance—it’s a coping mechanism, a celebration, a crutch. Rosie admitted that her old habits often included comfort foods, stress eating, and unhealthy beverage consumption, including a long-standing Diet Coke habit. Living in Ireland has changed that. Without a chef, she now prepares meals thoughtfully, often with Clay, creating not only nourishment but connection.
She’s also cut back on alcohol and stopped drinking soda entirely. These seemingly small changes—no sugary drinks, more home-cooked meals—are the kind of sustainable habits that many health experts encourage but are difficult to implement in hectic lives. For Rosie, slowing down and re-centering around family has made all the difference.
“I’m sleeping better, I’m not obsessing about food the way I used to,” she said in one candid TikTok video. “It feels like for the first time in my life, I’m living in a way that supports my health, not undermines it.”
Despite her success, O’Donnell is quick to point out the elephant in the room: Mounjaro is expensive. The medication currently costs over $1,000 per month without insurance, making it out of reach for many who might benefit from it.
“I know it’s too expensive,” she stated in a March 31 TikTok video. “It should be free to anyone who needs it, anyone who has diabetes, anyone who’s suffering with all of the comorbidities of obesity. It’s life-altering.”
O’Donnell’s words echo the concerns of health advocates and medical professionals who argue that lifesaving and life-improving treatments should not be limited to those with financial privilege. Although insurance may cover Mounjaro for people with type 2 diabetes, those using it for weight loss alone often find themselves left out. This raises ethical questions about who deserves access to modern medications and how the healthcare system defines “necessity.”
Her outspokenness on the topic puts her in a unique position. As a celebrity, her voice carries weight. And she’s using it not just to share her own success but to advocate for broader change—a shift in public policy, insurance coverage, and cultural thinking around obesity and chronic illness.
O’Donnell is not alone in her journey. She joins the ranks of public figures like Whoopi Goldberg and Eric Stonestreet, who have also shared stories of weight loss aided by medications like Mounjaro. This growing trend reflects a cultural shift: from viewing weight loss as a matter of willpower to recognizing it as a complex issue involving biology, environment, and mental health.
By speaking openly about her experiences, O’Donnell is helping destigmatize medical treatment for weight and diabetes. She’s reminding people that there’s no shame in using every tool available to get healthy—and that sometimes, health means more than just numbers on a scale.
What’s next for Rosie O’Donnell? She’s still on her journey, still adjusting to her new body and lifestyle, and still advocating for change. But one thing is clear: she’s reclaiming her narrative, one pound, one meal, and one honest post at a time.
Rosie O’Donnell’s story is more than celebrity gossip or a social media moment—it’s a testament to the power of self-reflection, science, and sustainable change. It shows that it’s never too late to prioritize your health and that transformation—real, lasting transformation—often starts with a quiet decision to try something different.
Her journey isn’t over, and that’s what makes it inspiring. It’s not about perfection. It’s about persistence, progress, and the courage to take your life back, one step at a time.
