At 18, Roseanne Barr Gave up Her Daughter for Adoption & 1 Phone Call Brought Her Back Decades Later

Faced with challenging circumstances, Roseanne Barr made the difficult choice to place her eldest child for adoption. Later in life, however, she and her daughter reconnected in a heartwarming reunion. See how Roseanne’s firstborn looks today.
Roseanne Barr, celebrated as an Emmy-winning actress and bold comedian, faced significant hardships, including teenage pregnancy, long before her Hollywood success. She has been married three times and has five children, with her eldest often noted for her resemblance to the star.

Roseanne Barr’s earlier years saw her make the ultimate sacrifice. | Source: Getty Images

Roseanne’s journey to motherhood began when she became pregnant at just 17. Looking back on that challenging time, she recalled initially wanting to keep her baby. “I got on welfare and rented a room for 50 bucks a month,” she explained.

However, faced with poor living conditions and little family support, she ultimately moved to Denver, finding refuge in a Salvation Army home for unwed mothers.

Roseanne: Season 2

Settling into the home, Roseanne soon welcomed her first child, Brandi Brown, in May 1971, just as she turned 18. Reflecting on that difficult moment, the celebrity divulged, “I gave my baby up to the Jewish Family & Children’s Service in Denver.”

Roseanne remembered being told that a couple had been waiting for years to adopt a Jewish baby. Despite the separation, she whispered a promise to her daughter that they would reunite when she turned 18—a belief she held onto over the years.

She fell pregnant at a young age and her family was unsupportive which led her to give her baby for adoption. | Source: Getty Images

Initially, Roseanne Barr planned to keep the baby, but poor living conditions coupled with little to no money forced her to sign up her eldest child for adoption. | Source: Getty Images

Years later, Roseanne married her first husband, actor and writer Bill Pentland, in 1974. Together, they had three children—Jessica, born in 1975, Jennifer in 1976, and Jake in 1978. However, by 1989, the marriage began to unravel.

During that period, Roseanne lamented, “This has been the hardest year I ever lived through. I lost my marriage, my children got very messed up. […] I almost died.”

She and Bill ended their 16-year marriage in 1990. When discussing the reasons for their split, the actress shared that both had felt the marriage was “doomed” much earlier on.

They tried therapy, but underlying differences remained. Bill had hoped she would be a stay-at-home mom, and while she tried to fulfill that role, it left her feeling trapped and unhappy.

Roseanne, who initially felt like a stranger when she first started in Hollywood, mentioned that Bill had supported her career when it seemed like just a hobby. He even quit his job to join her in Los Angeles, which she acknowledged as a genuine effort on his part, noting, “I know he tried his best.”

She later married her first husband Bill Pentland. | Source: Getty Images

Roseanne Barr and Bill Pentland started a family together, welcoming three kids. | Source: Getty Images

Roseanne Barr and Bill had their first child Jessica Pentland a year after they wed, followed by their second Jennifer Pentland another year later. | Source: Getty Images

Bill Pentland and Roseanne Barr had their third child, Jake Pentland, two years after having their daughters. | Source: Getty Images

That same year, after her divorce from Bill, Roseanne married Tom Arnold, her ex-husband’s best friend, and a fellow actor and comedian. She found Tom’s humor appealing, and the two often partied together.

However, Tom’s struggles with addiction soon became evident. Roseanne once recalled confronting him, saying, “That’s it, you’re going to the hospital,” after a three-day cocaine binge.

The “Roseanne” alum urged him to seek help, realizing his behavior was self-destructive. When he asked if he had lost her, she replied that after six years, she finally felt free. The two divorced in 1994.

After her first divorce, Roseanne Barr married Tom Arnold | Source: Getty Images

Marriage proved to be challenging for Roseanne Barr and Tom Arnold because of his addiction. | Source: Getty Images

Roseanne Barr advised Tom Arnold to seek help for his addiction, but the couple ended up parting ways. | Source: Getty Images

In 1995, just a year after her split from Tom, Roseanne married TV actor Ben Thomas. That same year, the couple celebrated the birth of their son, Buck Thomas. However, their marriage came to an end after seven years together.

Roseanne Barr gave love another chance when she married her third husband, Ben Thomas. | Source: Getty Images

Roseanne Barr and Ben Thomas welcomed their Buck Thomas the year they wed. | Source: Getty Images

Buck is Ben Thomas and Roseanne Barr’s only child. | Source: Getty Images

After nearly ten years of marriage, Roseanne Barr and Ben Thomas divorced. | Source: Getty Images

Though Roseanne’s romantic relationships often ended in heartbreak, she ultimately reconnected with her first daughter, Brandi.

The reunion began unexpectedly when a tabloid reached out, saying, “We found your daughter.” Shocked and angered, Roseanne explained that she’d left information for Brandi to contact her at 21, and even prepared her other children, as she sensed Brandi might look for her.

This prompted Roseanne to hire a private investigator to find her child before the story broke. She wanted Brandi to hear the news from her mother rather than from sensational headlines.

In May 1989, Roseanne and Brandi finally reunited in Los Angeles. When they first saw each other, they embraced tightly, shedding tears and feeling an undeniable connection.

Roseanne recognized her own traits in Brandi, describing her as intuitive and perceptive, much like herself. She was struck by how much she resembled her other children, remarking that the similarities were “what blew me away.”

Roseanne Barr always knew that she would reunite with her daughter Brandi Brown one day. | Source: Getty Images

After reluctantly having to leave Brandi Brown behind, she left information about herself so that she could be contacted for a possible reunion. | Source: Getty Images

The mother of five who is also a grandmother, was filled with gratitude, deeply moved by Brandi’s presence and the bond they instantly shared.

Roseanne Barr now has relationships with all of her kids as Brandi Brown became part of the family. | Source: Getty Images

Roseanne frequently shares photos of her eldest daughter on social media, and fans are quick to comment on their striking resemblance. Brandi, who has followed in her mother’s footsteps with a career in acting, often receives heartfelt messages from followers celebrating their reunion.

“She looks just like you. I was adopted b u t my bio mom was not interested in a reunion. Happy for you two [sic],” one follower wrote. Another fan shared, “I can see resemblance [sic].” Others simply express joy for their bond, saying, “You two look so much alike! Very happy for you guys!” and “So happy for you.”

In addition to her children, Roseanne Barr is also a grandparent. | Source: Getty Images

In the end, Roseanne Barr’s journey to reunite with Brandi reflects a story of resilience, love, and family. Despite life’s challenges and years apart, their relationship shows the power of reconnecting and the strength of a mother-daughter bond that time and distance could never break.