Rosie O'Donnell Speaks Out for the First Time About Leaving 'The View'

“Extra” was with Rosie O'Donnell at the premiere of her new documentary, “Rosie O'Donnell: A Heartfelt Standup,” at the Athena Film Festival in New York on Saturday. The co-host of ABC's “The View” talked for the first time about her decision to leave the show, explaining it is for medical reasons.

"My doctor who was on the panel tonight, Allison Spatz, my cardiologist, you know she has noticed that since I went back, that there was some elevated ratings and things, and you know I am having some stress in my private life at home, I'm having stress in my work environment, and something has to give, so the thing that was most fixable immediately to hopefully lower the level of stress and increase my focus on my health and my family was to not have to go to work every day which I know I am very privileged to have the luxury of not having to.”

Rosie continued praising “The View” executives, “They have been great in understanding that this is a pretty serious matter, and you know, I had a near fatal heart attack two years ago and the stress is really a causing factor of having a second one, so that's the reason, and I am very happy that they were so accommodating."

Rosie did not elaborate on the stress she is having at home. Her reps confirmed on Friday that in addition to leaving “The View,” O'Donnell and wife Michelle Rounds split in November.