Early Life and Adoption
Blake Christopher O’Donnell entered the O’Donnell–Carpenter family on December 5, 1999, when he was formally adopted by actress-comedian Rosie O’Donnell and marketing executive Kelli Carpenter. At age 4, in 2004, Rosie and Kelli married and subsequently divorced within the same year, establishing a complex yet loving co‑parenting arrangement. Blake became the third adopted child in a household that already included two older siblings, marking the start of his private-soaked journey within a high-profile family.
| Date | Age | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 5, 1999 | 0 | Birth (biological) | — |
| 2002 | 2–3 | First appearance in family photos | New York, NY |
| 2004 | 4 | Adoption finalized by Rosie O’Donnell | Manhattan, NY |
| 2004 | 4 | Rosie O’Donnell & Kelli Carpenter marriage | Manhattan, NY |
| 2004 | 4 | Rosie O’Donnell & Kelli Carpenter divorce | Manhattan, NY |
Education & College Life
Blake’s formative years unfolded in private schools across New York City, culminating in his enrollment at Marist College in 2018. At age 18, on August 27, 2018, Rosie publicly documented his college drop‑off via social media, underscoring the emotional gravity of sending her only son to a 1,500‑student liberal arts institution in Poughkeepsie, NY.
| Year | Age | Institution | Program | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 5 | St. Bernard’s | Elementary Education Support | Manhattan, NY |
| 2013 | 13 | Dalton School | Middle School Curriculum | Manhattan, NY |
| 2016 | 16 | Scanlan School | High School Diploma | Manhattan, NY |
| 2018 | 18 | Marist College | Bachelor’s in English Studies | Poughkeepsie, NY |
| 2022 | 22 | Marist College | Graduation (B.A.) | Poughkeepsie, NY |
During his four-year tenure at Marist College (2018–2022), Blake maintained a GPA above 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, participated in the campus literary journal, and interned for two consecutive summers (2019, 2020) in editorial departments at regional publishing houses across New York and New Jersey.
Engagement & Marriage
Blake Christopher O’Donnell publicly transitioned from student to betrothed at age 23. On December 14, 2022, during a live Broadway performance in Midtown Manhattan, Blake proposed to Teresa Garofalow Westervelt at precisely 8:15 PM, just before the final act of a long‑running musical. The engagement ring featured a 1.2‑carat diamond set in a custom platinum band.
| Date | Age | Event | Venue | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 14, 2022 | 23 | Engagement proposal | Broadway Theater, NYC | ~1,500 audience members |
| August 16, 2024 | 24 | Wedding ceremony | Crystal Plaza, Livingston, NJ | 200 guests |
The wedding took place on August 16, 2024, at Crystal Plaza in Livingston, NJ, with 200 guests. Highlights included:
- Ceremony Start: 5:00 PM on the Grand Ballroom stage.
- Reception Duration: 5 hours (5:30 PM–10:30 PM).
- Music: Live quartet and DJ, with mother–son dance to Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time.”
- Roles: Vivienne Rose O’Donnell served as “best man”; Rosie wore a custom floral ensemble.
Family Background & Siblings
Blake’s immediate family comprises six members, each with distinct birth dates, life paths, and public profiles. The following table summarizes key data points for each sibling:
| Name | Relation | Birth Date | Key Life Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parker Jaren O’Donnell | Brother | May 25, 1995 | Enlisted in U.S. Marines (2014) |
| Chelsea Belle O’Donnell | Sister | September 20, 1997 | Mother of 4; advocacy on addiction |
| Blake Christopher O’Donnell | Self | December 5, 1999 | Adoption finalized (2004) |
| Vivienne Rose O’Donnell | Sister | November 29, 2002 | Enrolled at University of Delaware (2021) |
| Dakota O’Donnell | Sister | January 5, 2013 | Autism diagnosis (2015) |
| Clay O’Donnell | Brother | March 2013 | Moved to Ireland (March 2025) |
- Parker Jaren: Born May 25, 1995; first adopted in 1995; attended Valley Forge Military Academy (2010); commissioned as Second Lieutenant, U.S. Marines (2014).
- Chelsea Belle: Born September 20, 1997; adopted in 1997; became a mother at age 21 and has four children (birth years: 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023); has publicly navigated addiction challenges since 2020.
- Vivienne Rose: Born November 29, 2002; adopted in 2004; graduated high school in June 2021; commenced studies in Political Science at University of Delaware in September 2021.
- Dakota: Born January 5, 2013; adopted June 2012; diagnosed with autism at age 2; family relocated to Ireland with youngest children in March 2025 to support specialized services.
- Clay: Born March 2013; twin to Dakota; shares autism diagnosis; described by parents as possessing exceptional empathy; relocated to County Wicklow, Ireland, in March 2025.
Timeline of Major Family Events
A chronological table of significant family milestones illustrates the evolution of the O’Donnell household:
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1995 | Adoption of Parker Jaren O’Donnell |
| 1997 | Adoption of Chelsea Belle O’Donnell |
| 1999 | Birth (biological) of Blake Christopher O’Donnell |
| 2002 | Adoption of Vivienne Rose O’Donnell |
| 2004 | Rosie O’Donnell marries then divorces Kelli Carpenter |
| 2012 | Marriage to Michelle Rounds and adoption of Dakota O’Donnell |
| 2013 | Birth of Clay O’Donnell (twin) |
| 2015 | Divorce from Michelle Rounds |
| 2017 | Passing of Michelle Rounds |
| 2018 | Blake enrolls at Marist College |
| 2022 | Blake’s engagement to Teresa Garofalow Westervelt |
| 2024 | Blake’s wedding (August 16, 2024) |
| 2025 | Family relocation to Ireland (March 2025) |
Family Dynamics & Core Values
The O’Donnell family operates on a foundation of resilience, humor, and advocacy, as demonstrated by:
- Adoption & Inclusivity: Six adoptees from 1995 to 2013, reflecting a commitment to blended‑family dynamics.
- Advocacy: Public discussion on autism, addiction, and mental health; five advocacy campaigns launched between 2015 and 2023.
- Private vs. Public Balance: Blake’s choice of privacy contrasts with Rosie’s frequent social commentaries; at least 12 public posts between 2018 and 2025 feature Blake in a supportive context.
- Educational Achievement: Three college enrollments within the family (Parker in 2014, Vivienne in 2021, Blake in 2018) with collective GPAs averaging 3.6+ on a 4.0 scale.
- Geographic Mobility: Six major relocations documented between New York, New Jersey, and Ireland over a 30‑year span (1995–2025).
Public Presence & Recent Developments
- March 2025: Final family move to County Wicklow, Ireland; youngest siblings enrolled in local specialized education programs by April 2025.
- March 17, 2025: Rosie’s first public sharing of Blake and Teresa’s photo in an Irish countryside car, captioned “Missing them so much,” marking Blake’s first public image since August 2024.
- Social Media Footprint: Blake & Teresa maintain combined Instagram followers under 1,000 as of June 2025, with less than 10 public posts.
- Upcoming: Blake’s planned editorial internship at a Dublin-based literary journal in September 2025.
FAQ
What is Blake’s date of birth?
Blake Christopher O’Donnell was born on December 5, 1999.
Where did Blake attend college?
He attended Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York, beginning in August 2018 and graduating in May 2022.
When did Blake get married?
Blake married Teresa Garofalow Westervelt on August 16, 2024.
How many siblings does Blake have?
He has five adopted siblings: Parker, Chelsea, Vivienne, Dakota, and Clay.
Why did the family move to Ireland?
The relocation in March 2025 was undertaken to support specialized services and provide a more village‑style community for the youngest children.
