Ellen DeGeneres and her wife, Portia de Rossi, have reportedly left their life in the U.S. behind, choosing to settle in the picturesque countryside of England. According to a source close to the former talk show host, the couple’s decision to relocate was largely motivated by the political climate, specifically the election of Donald Trump. Their sprawling Montecito estate, located near Santa Barbara, California, is now up for sale, signaling a clear departure from their American roots.
While the political landscape played a role in their move, it also comes at a time when DeGeneres is navigating life after her high-profile fall from grace. The comedian faced significant backlash in 2022 when allegations of a toxic work environment surfaced at her long-running daytime show, leading to her candid admission of feeling “pushed out of show business.”
The couple has already begun their new life in the Cotswolds, a serene and rural area in south-central England. Their Montecito home, which they purchased in 2019 and used as their primary residence, has been quietly listed on the market through Riskin Partners, a renowned real estate firm. While the fate of DeGeneres’ other California properties remains uncertain, her transition appears to be a complete lifestyle shift. Representatives for the real estate agency and DeGeneres declined to comment on the matter.
Since stepping away from the limelight, DeGeneres has dabbled in a few creative projects, including her Netflix stand-up special Four Your Approval. In the special, she opened up about life after The Ellen DeGeneres Show, poking fun at her abrupt exit from Hollywood.
“I’ve been keeping busy,” she quipped. “I started gardening. I got some chickens. Let’s see, what else? Oh right, I got kicked out of show business. The ‘be kind’ lady wasn’t kind—what a headline, huh?”
Reflecting on the controversy, she humorously questioned whether managing expectations differently might have helped. “Maybe I should’ve wrapped up my show by saying, ‘Go f–k yourselves.’ Then people would’ve been pleasantly surprised to learn I’m actually nice,” she joked.
DeGeneres and de Rossi’s move signals a new phase in their lives—one away from the spotlight and the controversies that shadowed their final years in the U.S. For now, the English countryside seems to offer the peace and anonymity they’re seeking as they close one chapter and begin another.