Early life and education
O'Donnell, who is of Irish and Italian descent, grew up in Moorestown, New Jersey as the second youngest of six children.[nb 1][8][9][10] She was raised as a Catholic.[8] After graduating in 1987 from Moorestown High School, O'Donnell attended Fairleigh Dickinson University where she initially aspired to a career in the theater[8] and did course work toward a a college degree.[11][12] She came to a turning point during college when she found herself drinking excessively and having sexual relationships with men with whom she lacked a strong emotional connection.[8] She would later say of this period, "I know what it's like to live a life without principle."[13] She became increasingly interested in both politics and religion.[10] She became an evangelical Christian, began preaching sexual abstinence and joined the College Republicans.[8]
She attended her university's commencement ceremony in 1993 but did not receive a degree. O'Donnell later said the degree was withheld due to unpaid tuition.[nb 2][12] In 1994, Fairleigh Dickinson University sued her for $4,823, winning a judgment for the entire amount according to court documents. The debt was paid in 2003.[3][11][12] After O'Donnell completed a required course in the summer of 2010,[11] Fairleigh Dickinson awarded her a bachelor's degree in English literature,[8][11][12] with a concentration in communication.[8]
