Meet Elizabeth Buckley Harrold O’Donnell: The Secretive Daughter of Two Famous Parents

You may know Lawrence O’Donnell, the popular host of The Last Word on MSNBC. Or maybe you’ve seen Kathryn Harrold in old Hollywood films like The Hunter or Modern Romance. But did you know they have a daughter?

Her name is Elizabeth Buckley Harrold O’Donnell, and even though she comes from two very well-known parents, she lives a very private and quiet life. In a world where most celebrity kids are all over the news and social media, Elizabeth is the complete opposite.

This article is here to help you get to know her. We’ll talk about her early life, her famous parents, her quiet lifestyle, and why she has stayed out of the spotlight all these years.

Elizabeth Buckley Harrold O’Donnell Quick Bio

When Was Elizabeth Buckley Harrold O’Donnell Born?

Elizabeth was born in 1994 or 1995, though the exact date is not confirmed. As of 2025, that makes her about 30 or 31 years old. She was born in the United States and is the only child of Kathryn Harrold and Lawrence O’Donnell.

Being an only child often means getting a lot of love and attention — and in her case, from two very busy and high-profile parents. Even with all the attention that might have come from being born into a famous family, her parents worked hard to keep her life private and normal.

It’s pretty rare for someone with celebrity parents to stay completely out of the public eye. But that’s exactly what Elizabeth has done.

Who Are Her Famous Parents?

Elizabeth’s parents are well known in two totally different worlds — TV news and Hollywood movies.

Her dad, Lawrence O’Donnell, is a political expert and TV host. He’s best known for his show The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell on MSNBC, which he’s hosted since 2010. But before that, he was also a political aide in the U.S. Senate, a TV writer, and even an Emmy-winning producer on The West Wing.

Her mom, Kathryn Harrold, was a big name in films during the 1980s and 1990s. She starred in movies like The Pursuit of D.B. Cooper and Raw Deal with Arnold Schwarzenegger. But in the early 2010s, she left Hollywood behind. She went back to school, studied therapy, and became a licensed marriage and family therapist in California.

So, Elizabeth grew up with parents who had very different careers, but both were successful and often in the spotlight.

What Was Elizabeth Buckley Harrold O’Donnell’s Childhood Like?

You might think that having famous parents would mean a childhood filled with red carpets and cameras. But for Elizabeth, it was the opposite.

Her parents chose to raise her away from the cameras, making sure she had a normal, quiet life. They didn’t post about her, talk about her in the media, or bring her to public events. Instead, they focused on giving her privacy and freedom to grow up without pressure.

She lived in a home full of big ideas — her dad was talking politics on TV, and her mom had starred in movies. But even with all that, her parents made sure she could just be a kid.

She also went to school in New York City, and from what little we know, she was a smart and serious student. Her parents cared a lot about her education and gave her space to find her own path in life.

Who Are Her Grandparents?

Elizabeth’s family roots go deep. On her father’s side, her grandparents are Frances Marie Buckley and Lawrence Francis O’Donnell Sr. These are her paternal grandparents, and through them, she has Irish-American heritage.

On her mother’s side, her grandparents are Carolyn Rowe and Dewitt Hunter Harrold, also known as B.H. Harrold. These are her maternal grandparents, and they come from Tazewell, Virginia, where Kathryn was born.

So, while Elizabeth grew up in big cities like New York or Los Angeles, her family background also includes small-town American roots, and that balance likely shaped who she is.

How Long Were Her Parents Married?

Elizabeth’s parents met in 1991 in New York. After dating for a few years, they got married on Valentine’s Day in 1994, in a quick ceremony in Las Vegas. At the time, Kathryn was about five months pregnant with Elizabeth.

Their relationship lasted for 19 years, which is a long time, especially in the world of celebrity marriages. But in 2013, they quietly got divorced.

Even after their split, both Kathryn and Lawrence continued to be present in Elizabeth’s life. They didn’t let the divorce affect their parenting. Instead, they stayed close as a family and focused on giving Elizabeth a good life.

Did Elizabeth Ever Want to Be Famous?

With a famous TV host dad and a Hollywood actress mom, you might expect Elizabeth to follow in their footsteps. But she didn’t.

Elizabeth chose to stay out of the spotlight. She didn’t go into movies, TV, or politics. She doesn’t attend red carpet events or give interviews. She doesn’t even use social media. In fact, you won’t find a single public account of hers on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook.

Some people believe she may have gone into therapy or counselling like her mother, but this has never been confirmed. The truth is, no one really knows what she does for work, and that’s exactly how she seems to like it.

Her quiet, private lifestyle is very rare these days — especially for someone with famous parents. And that’s what makes her story so interesting.

What Does Elizabeth Buckley Harrold O’Donnell Do for Work?

To this day, no one knows for sure what Elizabeth Buckley Harrold O’Donnell does for a living. She has never appeared in the news for any job, business, or public project. And since she avoids social media, there are no online updates either.

Some people believe she may have followed a career in therapy, just like her mom. Kathryn Harrold became a licensed marriage and family therapist in California after leaving Hollywood. But this is just a guess — Elizabeth has never confirmed anything about her career.

In a time when almost everyone shares their lives online, Elizabeth’s choice to stay silent is rare. It makes many people more curious about her, but it also shows that privacy still matters to some, even in 2025.

Is She Close to Her Parents?

Even after their divorce in 2013, Kathryn Harrold and Lawrence O’Donnell both stayed very close to their daughter. They may have gone their separate ways, but they stayed united when it came to parenting Elizabeth.

Lawrence O’Donnell has shown his love for Elizabeth many times. After he survived a serious car accident in 2014, he said in an interview that all he could think about was his daughter. That moment showed how important she is to him.

On Father’s Day in 2019, he posted a sweet photo on Instagram. It showed Elizabeth as a baby, sleeping in his arms. He captioned it, “Nothing matters more than this. Nothing.” That simple message said it all.

Will Elizabeth Inherit a Lot of Money?

Even though Elizabeth Buckley Harrold O’Donnell lives quietly, she comes from a very successful family.

Her dad, Lawrence, has an estimated net worth of $16 million in 2025. He earns a high salary from his TV show and has written books and worked on award-winning shows like The West Wing.

Her mom, Kathryn, also did well in her career. She earned money from her movies and TV shows, and now she runs her own therapy practice in California. Her net worth is believed to be between $5 million and $24 million, depending on different sources.

Since Elizabeth is their only child, it’s likely she will one day inherit a large part of that fortune. She probably already had a comfortable life growing up, and may continue to enjoy financial stability in the future.

Is Elizabeth Buckley Harrold O’Donnell on Social Media or in the News?

In today’s world, most people — especially children of celebrities — use social media every day. But Elizabeth is not like most people.

She has no known Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter accounts. She doesn’t do interviews, doesn’t attend events, and is never spotted by the press. The only photos of her available online are the ones her father shared when she was a child.

Even though her parents are both public figures, Elizabeth has built a life that is completely off the radar. That’s pretty amazing, especially when you think about how easy it is for someone to become famous today.

Quick Facts About Elizabeth Buckley

Let’s go over a few quick facts about Elizabeth Buckley Harrold O’Donnell to help you remember who she is:

• She was born in 1994 or 1995, in the USA.

• She is about 30 or 31 years old in 2025.

• She is the only child of Lawrence O’Donnell and Kathryn Harrold.

• Her hair and eye colour are both brown (based on old photos).

• She is believed to be single and has no children.

• She has Irish-American roots from her dad’s side.

• She lives a very private life, with no social media or public job.

• Her parents are divorced, but they stayed close to support her.

• She could inherit millions, but she stays quiet and away from fame.

Final Thoughts

Elizabeth Buckley Harrold O’Donnell is not like most celebrity children. She grew up with two well-known parents, but chose a life that’s quiet, calm, and private.

While others chase fame and followers, Elizabeth shows us the power of living a simple life. She doesn’t need to post every detail online or be in the spotlight to feel important.

Her story is a reminder that it’s okay to step away, to live on your own terms, and to protect your peace. Whether she’s helping others like her mom, or doing something completely different, Elizabeth Buckley Harrold O’Donnell proves that you can come from fame — and still choose privacy.

And honestly, that might be the strongest choice of all.

(FAQs)

Does Lawrence O’Donnell have more kids?

No. Elizabeth is his only child. He never had any other sons or daughters.

How old is Elizabeth Buckley Harrold O’Donnell?

She was born in 1994 or 1995, so in 2025, she is around 30 or 31 years old. Her exact birthday is not known.

Who are Elizabeth’s grandparents?

On her dad’s side: Frances Buckley and Lawrence O’Donnell Sr. On her mom’s side: Carolyn Rowe and B.H. Harrold. She comes from a mix of city and small-town family roots.

Is Elizabeth on Instagram?

No. She is not on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook. She has no public accounts at all.

What is Elizabeth doing now?

Nobody knows for sure. She lives a quiet and private life. Some people think she works in therapy, but that’s just a guess.

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