Rosie O’Donnell is leaving ABC’s “The View” for the second time to focus on her children after she split from her wife, Michelle Rounds, her publicist said Friday.
Ms. O’Donnell, 52, will leave the show at the end of next week after nearly five months on the job. Her initial yearlong stay ended stormily in 2007.
“Rosie has teens and an infant at home that need her attention,” her publicist said in a statement, CNN reported. “This has been a very stressful situation. She is putting her personal health and family first.”
ABC said it supports her decision.
“Rosie is an immensely talented star who comes in each and every morning brimming with ideas, excitement and passion for the show,” ABC said in a statement.
“When she told us that she wanted to exit ’The View,’ we respected and understood her desire to put her well-being and her family first. We’re delighted she’s still part of the ABC family with upcoming guest appearances on ’The Fosters.’ And we know she’ll return to ’The View’ often with her unique point of view and updates on her work and her family,” the statement said.
There was no word on who will replace her, CNN reported.
“The View’s” ratings are flat year-over-year among total viewers, and are down 9 percent among women 25-to-54, the show’s target audience, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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