Over the summer, rumors started brewing that Rosie O’Donnell and her partner/wife Kelli Carpenter may have split up. The rumors seem to have originated from a report in the National Enquirer, but Rosie quickly denied the split to People Magazine. It was said that Kelli had moved out, but that things were still up in the air because of issues with custody of their four children. Things have been quiet about Rosie and Kelli for a couple of months, though, so this new interview with Rosie is a little surprising. Rosie spoke to USA Today, and she seems to be confirming that she and Kelli are having problems, but that they are “working on” those issues for the sake of their kids:

Rosie O’Donnell has confirmed to Lifeline Live that she and partner Kelli Carpenter, 42, are on the rocks.

In an interview at her Nyack, N.Y., compound Tuesday, USA TODAY’s Ann Oldenburg asked if the two had split — she has been hinting at it in her blog — and O’Donnell didn’t deny it, saying, “We’re a family. We will remain a family forever. And we are working on our issues.”

O’Donnell, 47, wouldn’t go into detail about whether Carpenter had moved out of their Nyack home and into Manhattan, as the National Enquirer reported in August. (She was not around during the interview.)

“We’re a family, we remain a family and we’re working on the issues,” O’Donnell reiterated, noting that there are four children whose well-being comes before anything.

The couple married in San Francisco in 2004 and have three adopted children — Parker, 14, Chelsea, 12 and Blake, 9, as well as Vivienne (”Vivi”), 6, whom Carpenter carried.

“They’re adorable and wonderful and they are by far a priority,” O’Donnell said. “Kelli and I love each other very much and we are working on our issues. Those are the only words I am ever going to say. Ever. And that is something that has been agreed upon by all parties,” she said, tears collecting in her eyes. “But everything’s fine and everybody’s good and we’re still both raising them together. We will both continue to parent them and we’re friendly and everything’s all right.”

[From USA Today]

I know Rosie rubs many, many, many people the wrong way, but I’ve always liked her. Not loved her, but liked her. She has as many issues as most people (probably more) and she’s done several things that have made me think twice about my affection for her, but I still give her props for at least trying to engage women in political discussions and to take their own political beliefs seriously, and for talking about issues that she knew would alienate a large part of her fan base. All that being said, I bet Rosie is a total pain in the ass to live with, and Kelli might be a saint for putting up with her for so many years. If they do split, I think this will probably be a big mess.