Rosie O’Donnell has opened up about her close relationship with Lyle and Erik Menendez, describing herself as their “big sister.” The Menendez brothers, who are serving life sentences for the 1989 murders of their parents, have recently gained renewed attention due to various documentaries and series about their case. O’Donnell revealed that her connection with the brothers began two years ago, after she watched a documentary that presented new evidence of the alleged abuse they suffered at the hands of their father, which shifted her perspective on their case.
O’Donnell shared that Lyle initially reached out to her years ago, but she didn’t respond until she became aware of the new evidence. Their relationship grew from there, with O’Donnell speaking regularly to the brothers, even meeting Lyle in person last year. She expressed her belief that the brothers have changed during their decades behind bars, noting Lyle’s exemplary record as an inmate and his involvement in hospice care for other prisoners.
The former talk show host has been vocal about her support for the Menendez brothers, particularly in light of the new evidence that could lead to a resentencing or even their release. O’Donnell described her commitment to helping them by using her platform to bring attention to their case, stating that it’s time for society to reconsider their situation based on what we now understand about abuse and trauma.
If the Menendez brothers are released, O’Donnell has already made plans to take Lyle to a celebrity-frequented restaurant, Nobu, a promise she’s made during their conversations. While the brothers remain cautious about their potential freedom, O’Donnell remains optimistic, acting as a constant “cheerleader” for them throughout this process.
