“We got here the day before the election,” Ellen recalled, referencing the 2024 U.S. presidential race. “We woke up to texts from friends—just crying emojis—and I knew: he got in. And we said, we’re staying here.”
Though she didn’t mention Donald Trump by name, the implication was clear: the outcome of the election pushed the couple to commit fully to their new life across the Atlantic.
A Simpler, Kinder Life in the British Countryside
The Cotswolds, known for its rolling green hills and charming stone villages, has proven to be the perfect escape for the former talk show host and her wife. DeGeneres, once synonymous with Hollywood glamor and daily television, now speaks of chickens, sheep (briefly), and quiet walks in the English countryside.
“It’s absolutely beautiful,” she said. “We’re just not used to seeing this kind of beauty. The villages, the towns, the architecture—everything you see is charming. It’s a simpler way of life.”
“It’s clean. People are polite. Animals are treated with more care. Everything here just feels better.”
Ellen even got her first taste of snow, an experience that delighted her so much that she doesn’t seem to mind having moved in November, the start of Britain’s cold and damp winter.
“Portia flew her horses here,” she said with a smile, “and I have chickens. We even had sheep—for about two weeks.”
A Personal Stand on Same-Sex Marriage Rights
Beyond the scenery and serenity, there’s a more serious reason Ellen and Portia are staying put. The rising threats to LGBTQ+ rights in the U.S., particularly same-sex marriage, have made them question whether America is still a safe and supportive home.
“The Baptist Church in America is actively working to reverse gay marriage,” Ellen explained. “They’re trying to stop it from happening in the future—and possibly undo it altogether.”
With this in mind, the couple is already making plans.
“Portia and I are looking into getting married again—here in the UK—just in case. It’s something we’re thinking seriously about.”
She added, with evident concern:
“I wish we lived in a world where it wasn’t scary for people to be who they are. Where everyone could accept others for their differences. Until we get there, we can’t say we’ve made true progress.”
Life After the Ellen Show
Ellen’s relocation follows a tumultuous chapter in her career. In 2020, she faced allegations of fostering a toxic workplace environment behind the scenes of The Ellen DeGeneres Show. The scandal led to widespread backlash, and although Ellen issued a public apology, the damage was lasting.
After nearly 20 years on air, the beloved daytime show came to an end in 2022.
Reflecting on the controversy, Ellen told The Hollywood Reporter:
“It was a very difficult time, but I believe it happened for a reason. It was eye-opening. I learned a lot, and there were things I discovered that truly surprised me. But I’ve chosen to trust that it needed to happen.”
In 2024, she returned to the spotlight with her Netflix special, Ellen DeGeneres: For Your Approval. However, the project received a lukewarm response, earning just 33% on Rotten Tomatoes and drawing mixed to negative reviews from critics.
Embracing a New Chapter
Today, Ellen seems more at peace than she has in years. Her social media now showcases scenes of tranquil rural life, far removed from the glitz of Los Angeles. In one recent post, she stood behind Portia as they gazed out at a double rainbow over their new countryside home.
“Three things that make me happy: My wife, a rainbow, and my wife taking a picture of a rainbow,” she wrote.
Now, with the U.S. culture wars escalating and her chapter in American media behind her, Ellen is focused on joy, simplicity, and activism from afar. She and Portia may be miles away from Hollywood, but their voices—and their values—still resonate loudly.
“Love is love,” Ellen once famously said. And now, she’s living that truth—quietly, defiantly, in the rolling hills of England.