Rosie O'Donnell's Child Clay: Why The Comedian Moved Her Non-Binary Child To Ireland For 'Safety'

The life of Rosie O'Donnell’s youngest child, Clay O'Donnell, has become a focal point of recent celebrity news, not for typical Hollywood drama, but for a profound, personal decision made by the famous comedian. As of late 2025, the most significant update regarding Clay is the family's recent, dramatic relocation from the United States to Dublin, Ireland, a move Rosie O'Donnell explicitly stated was for the "safety" and well-being of her non-binary child. This decision underscores the complex challenges faced by LGBTQ+ youth and their families in the current social climate, even for high-profile figures.

The spotlight on Clay, who was formerly known as Dakota and uses the name Clay, has brought increased public awareness to their journey as a non-binary individual with an autism diagnosis. The family’s transparency about these personal matters provides a powerful look into the realities of raising a diverse family, a theme Rosie O'Donnell has consistently championed throughout her career as an outspoken advocate for adoption and LGBTQ+ rights.

Biography and Profile of Clay O'Donnell

Clay O'Donnell is the youngest of Rosie O'Donnell's five children, adopted during her marriage to her second wife, Michelle Rounds. Their life has been kept relatively private, though Rosie has shared key, impactful details about their identity and health journey.

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• Full Name: Dakota "Clay" O'Donnell
• Current Age (as of late 2025): 12–13 years old (adopted in 2013)
• Parent: Rosie O'Donnell (Comedian, Actress, TV Personality)
• Adoptive Parent (Deceased): Michelle Rounds (Married to Rosie O'Donnell from 2012–2015)
• Siblings: Parker Jaren O'Donnell, Chelsea Belle O'Donnell, Blake Christopher O'Donnell, and Vivienne Rose O'Donnell (all adopted, except Vivienne who was born to Rosie and Kelli Carpenter)
• Identity: Non-Binary (uses the name Clay)
• Diagnosis: Diagnosed with autism at an early age.
• Current Residence: Dublin, Ireland (as of 2024/2025)

Clay was adopted by Rosie O'Donnell and her then-wife, Michelle Rounds, in 2013. The child's early years were marked by a diagnosis of autism, a detail Rosie shared publicly to raise awareness about the condition. More recently, the child came out as non-binary, choosing the name Clay, a transition Rosie has openly supported, often referring to Clay as "my child" or "them" in public statements and social media posts.

The Shocking Move to Ireland: A Quest for Safety

The most compelling and recent development in Clay's story is the family's international move. In a series of candid social media posts in early 2024, Rosie O'Donnell confirmed that she and Clay had left the United States and relocated to Dublin, Ireland. This was not a vacation or a temporary change of scenery; it was a deliberate, permanent decision driven by fear for her child's well-being.

Rosie O'Donnell, a long-time vocal critic of political and social movements she perceives as hostile to the LGBTQ+ community, stated that she felt the U.S. was no longer a safe place for her non-binary child.

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"I miss many things about life there at home and I'm trying to find a home here in this beautiful country and when it is safe for all citizens to have equal [rights] and to have the freedom to be who they are, I will come back," O'Donnell shared.

This dramatic relocation highlights the increasing anxiety among parents of LGBTQ+ youth in the face of rising anti-trans and anti-gay legislation and rhetoric in the U.S. By moving to a country with more progressive and protective laws regarding gender identity and expression, Rosie O'Donnell made a powerful political and personal statement, prioritizing her child's mental health and physical safety over her established life and career in America.

Clay's Identity and Rosie's Public Advocacy

Rosie O'Donnell has consistently used her platform to discuss her family’s experiences, particularly regarding Clay’s identity. When Clay came out as non-binary, Rosie expressed her deep support, noting that the relationship between them "changed irrevocably" for the better, creating a deeper, more connective force in their household.

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Navigating Non-Binary Identity and Autism

Clay's journey is unique in that it intersects two significant, often misunderstood, areas: non-binary gender identity and autism. Rosie O'Donnell has been open about the process of learning and adapting to her child's needs.

• Name Change: The change from Dakota to Clay was a significant step in the child's self-discovery and affirmation of their gender identity. Rosie has publicly embraced the new name.
• Autism Diagnosis: Clay was diagnosed with autism at a young age, and Rosie has spoken about the challenges and joys of raising a child on the spectrum. This diagnosis is often intertwined with gender identity exploration, as many individuals on the autism spectrum report being non-binary or transgender.
• Parental Support: Rosie has described the experience of raising a non-binary child as "the most interesting thing" and a continuous learning process, emphasizing the importance of unconditional love and acceptance.

The comedian’s candidness serves as a form of powerful advocacy, providing visibility and normalizing the experience for other families navigating similar paths. This openness is a cornerstone of her public persona and her commitment to the LGBTQ+ community.

The O'Donnell Family Dynamics and Topical Authority

While Clay is the focus of this discussion, their story is part of the larger, complex tapestry of the Rosie O'Donnell family. Rosie is a mother to five children: Parker, Chelsea, Blake, Vivienne, and Clay. The family has faced its share of public challenges, most notably with her eldest daughter, Chelsea Belle O'Donnell, whose struggles with addiction and legal issues have been widely publicized.

The stark contrast between the public challenges with Chelsea and the protective, supportive environment Rosie is actively building for Clay in Ireland further emphasizes her role as a dedicated, though often controversial, mother. The topical authority of this story lies not just in the celebrity connection, but in the universal themes of parental protection, gender identity, and the search for a safe haven. Rosie O'Donnell's decision to uproot her life for her child's safety is a testament to the profound lengths a parent will go to ensure their child can live authentically and without fear. The move to Dublin is the latest, most tangible evidence of her unwavering commitment to Clay's well-being and identity.