Unlike his pairs, Parker Jaren O’Donnell already had dreams of serving in the military at the age of eleven but his mother did not take it likely. He is one of the four adopted children of the media personality and Comedienne, Rosie O’Donnell, and her ex-wife, Kelli Carpenter.
Although his mother was not happy when he made his decision to join the military, she now seems to be very proud of her oldest son’s decision to serve his country. Rosie herself has made a name for herself as an advocate for same-sex couples to adopt children.
Best known as a comedian and a tv host, Parker’s mother has been praised for juggling her Hollywood career while she was forced on raising her five kids in a blended family.
Here Are 10 Intriguing Facts about Parker Jaren O’Donnell
1. Parker Jaren O’Donnell Was Adopted as an Infant in 1995
Born May 25, 1995, Parker was adopted by the American comedian when he was three months in 1995. At that time, his mother was 32 years old and was busy establishing her career but when she realized it would affect her time with her newborn, she made a new schedule.
The actress revealed she was single at that time but did not mind being a mother to parker. Rosie’s ex-partner, Kelli later adopted him also before their marriage was sealed.
2. He Begged His Mother to Attend Military School
While growing up, young Parker surprised everyone around him with his passion for the military. Even before he became a teenager, he had already made up his mind to serve in the military but this did not sit well with his mother, who at that time did not want her 16-year-old son to leave home.
He had in-depth knowledge about all the generals in any war and what kind of tanks they had. He reportedly begged his mother to allow him to go to the military academy. Rosie had no choice but to give in and support his career choice.
He was successfully enrolled in the Valley Forge Military Academy and College in 2011. He enrolled in Hofstra University in 2014 and in April 2021, it was reported that he enrolled at the Los Angeles Film School to study Animation and Interactive Technology.
3. What Does Parker Jaren O’Donnell Do?
Based on his LinkedIn profile, between 2014 and 2016 O’Donnell worked as a bartender and food server in Casa Del Sol and 44&X Hell’s Kitchen.
He joined the US Marine in December 2017.
3. His Parents Had Four Children before They Split in 2007
On February 26, 2004, Rosie O’Donnell and her long-time girlfriend Kelli Carpenter got married barely two weeks after Mayor Gavin Newson authorized the granting of marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
In 1997, Parker’s gay parents adopted her oldest daughter Chelsea. Two years later in December 1999, Rosie adopted her third child Blake and her younger daughter with Kelli, Vivienne was born to Kelli in 2002 through artificial insemination.
Parker’s younger sister Dakota was adopted by his mother Rosie and her ex-wife Michelle in January 2013.
Rosie and Kelli ended their marriage in August 2004 after their marriage was annulled among the thousands that were annulled by the California Supreme Court.
4. His Mother Was Involved in a Divorce Battle
After his gay parents divorced, his mother went ahead to date an executive search consultant called Michelle Rounds in 2011. The gay couple announced their engagement on December 5, 2011, during a break in the taping of The Rosie Show. The private wedding ceremony was held in New York on June 9, 2012.
However, barely after a year, the media personality confirmed that she and her wife had separated but this was after they adopted Dakota in January 2013. Rosie reportedly filed for divorce after two years of marriage and the divorce was finally settled in October 2015.
Following a nasty custody battle, 62-year-old Rosie was accused of being a bad parent by her ex. Rounds claimed Rosie had bad parenting choices and she didn’t discipline her kids. Despite that, the media personality was given full custody of their only child, Dakota.
Two years after the custody battle, it was reported that Michelle rounds committed suicide at her apartment at the age of 46.
5. Is He Married?
At the moment, it is not clear if the lovers have tied the knot or not but a comment on one of their pictures on Parker’s Instagram said they were getting ready to seal their union.
His girlfriend Hannah describes herself as a creator, designer, and adventurer on Instagram.
6. His Mother is Known for Her Various Charitable Causes
Aside from her career in entertainment and being an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, Parker Jaren O’Donnell’s mother is famous for her various charitable causes. According to reports, the gay parent gave the proceeds she earned from her memoir to her For All Kids Foundation in 1996.
Her foundation has helped daycares in America and has granted more than $22 million to early childhood and education programs.
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7. Parker Jaren O’Donnell’s Sister Chelsea Ran Away from Home When She Was Barely Seventeen
Chelsea Belle O’Donnell and Rosie O’Donnell have had a rather troubling past. At the age of 17, Chelsea went missing and was reported to be living with a drug addict about 25 years old.
Chelsea and her lover met on Tinder but lied about her age. Later on, she moved out to stay with her biological mother. During an interview, Parker’s sister claimed she was raised by nannies.
However, Rosie shared her estranged relationship with her audience after which she revealed her daughter had a mental illness that has also affected their relationship.
Of recent, it seems the two have sorted out their issues after Chelsea had her first child and Rosie’s first grandchild Skylar Rose.
8. Parker Jaren O’Donnell Lost His Grandmother To Cancer
According to reports, Rosie’s mother four days to her 11th birthday on March 17, 1973, after a long battle with breast cancer. Being the third out of the five children her parents had, the comedian’s father was not always there for her and her siblings after their mother passed.
Rosie revealed that the experience she had while growing up is one she doesn’t wish for any of her kids which is why she has reportedly worked hard to tend to all her five kids who are all grown up now.
9. The Marine’s Mother Suffered a Heart Attack in Mid-August 2012
After her middle finger was almost amputated in the summer of 2000 due to a staph infection, Parker’s mother Rosie suffered a heart attack in August 2012. After a successful treatment, she resolved to live solely on a plant-based diet.
10. Does He Have Any Net Worth?
Parker Jaren O’Donnell has been working in the US Marines for some time now but his salary is not available right now. However, that of his famous mother is said to be around $5 million.
Parker’s mother has earned her net worth of over $120 million through her television appearances and co-host on The View and as well as her own talk show The Rosie O’Donnell Show.
The controversial comedian has other projects in entertainment and spent more than two decades in the industry.
