So, everyone is talking about it. The news cycles have been spinning for months with one specific question: did Ellen DeGeneres move to England? It’s the kind of celebrity gossip that feels both shocking and, honestly, strangely logical if you’ve been following her trajectory over the last few years.
She left.
The short answer is yes, she did. But the "why" and the "where" are a lot more interesting than just a change of scenery. This isn't just a vacation. It's a full-scale relocation to the rolling hills of the English countryside, specifically the Cotswolds. If you're picturing The Holiday, you're basically on the right track, just with a much higher price tag and a lot more security.
Moving across the pond: The Cotswolds shift
Ellen and her wife, Portia de Rossi, didn't just pack a couple of suitcases. They reportedly scooped up a massive estate in the Cotswolds, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in south-central England. It’s the kind of place where you’re more likely to see a sheep than a paparazzi lens, which is exactly the point.
The move happened late in 2024, shortly after the U.S. presidential election. While some celebrities make empty threats about moving abroad when politics don't go their way, Ellen actually pulled the trigger. Sources close to the couple have noted that the political climate in the United States was a significant catalyst. They were "disillusioned." They wanted out.
But it wasn't just about who was in the White House.
You have to remember the context of the last few years for Ellen. The fallout from the "toxic workplace" allegations back in 2020 changed everything for her brand. The "Be Kind" mantra took a massive hit. After her long-running talk show ended in 2022 and her final Netflix special, For Your Approval, wrapped up her comedy career, there wasn't much holding her to Southern California.
Why the Cotswolds?
It’s the celebrity witness protection program of sorts.
📖 Related: Erik Menendez Height: What Most People Get Wrong
The Cotswolds is home to a very specific type of elite. We’re talking about the Beckhams, Kate Moss, and even former Prime Minister David Cameron. It’s a place where locals are used to seeing famous faces buying organic eggs at the farm shop and, for the most part, they leave them alone. For someone who spent decades under the bright lights of a Burbank studio, the gray skies of Oxfordshire probably felt like a relief.
The Montecito exit
To understand the move to England, you have to look at what she left behind. Ellen has been a titan of the California real estate market for decades. She wasn't just a talk show host; she was a professional house flipper.
- She sold her primary Montecito estate.
- The couple reportedly listed several other properties.
- They made it clear they didn't intend to return to Los Angeles.
It was a total liquidation of her Southern California life. People don't usually sell off their "forever homes" in Santa Barbara unless they are making a permanent break. For Ellen, England represented a clean slate. A place where she wasn't just the "canceled" talk show host, but just another wealthy expat living in a stone manor.
Did Ellen DeGeneres move to England because of the election?
This is the part that gets people heated.
Yes, the 2024 election results played a role. According to reports from outlets like The Wrap and TMZ, the couple felt "disappointed" and wanted a change of pace from the American political machine. It’s a move that echoes what other public figures have done in the past, though rarely with this much finality.
But let’s be real. It’s easier to move to England when you have hundreds of millions of dollars. For the average person asking did Ellen DeGeneres move to England, the answer involves a level of mobility most can't fathom. She didn't have to worry about visa backlogs or finding a job in London. She bought her way into a new life.
The Netflix special as a goodbye
If you watched her last special, you saw a woman who was tired. She spent a lot of time talking about how she was "kicked out of show business." She was processed. She was done. Moving to England wasn't just a political statement; it was a retirement plan.
👉 See also: Old pics of Lady Gaga: Why we’re still obsessed with Stefani Germanotta
She's 66. Portia is in her 50s. They’ve spent their entire lives in the grind of Hollywood. The move to England is the ultimate "I’m out."
Life in Great Britain
What does her life look like now?
It’s quiet.
The Cotswolds offers a lifestyle of long walks, pub lunches, and gardening. It is the polar opposite of the high-energy, high-stress environment of daily television. While she hasn't completely disappeared—she’s still active on social media occasionally—the frequency of her public appearances has plummeted.
She's trading the 405 freeway for narrow country lanes.
The impact on her brand
By moving to England, Ellen has effectively ended her era as an American cultural staple. You can't be the "Queen of Daytime" from a village in England. And she seems okay with that. The move suggests she has accepted that her time in the American spotlight has reached its natural conclusion.
There is a certain irony in it, though. The person who told everyone to "be kind" for twenty years ended up feeling like she had to flee the country to find peace.
✨ Don't miss: Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes in 2026
What this means for celebrity culture
Ellen’s move might be the start of a trend. We are seeing more high-net-worth individuals look at "Golden Visas" and international property as a hedge against domestic instability. Whether it’s Portugal, Italy, or the UK, the "Hollywood Exit" is becoming a real thing.
However, England has its own set of problems. The weather is famously dismal, the cost of living is skyrocketing, and the political scene in Westminister is often just as chaotic as Washington D.C. But for a celebrity, the UK offers one thing America struggles with: a different definition of privacy. British libel laws are stricter, and the culture of the rural elite is built on a foundation of "mind your own business."
Summary of the move
To recap the situation:
- The Location: A large estate in the Cotswolds region of England.
- The Timing: Late 2024, following the U.S. election and the end of her comedy tour.
- The Motivation: A mix of political frustration, a desire for privacy after workplace scandals, and a general retirement from Hollywood.
- The Status of her US Homes: Mostly sold or on the market; she has no current plans to return to live in the States.
If you’re looking for Ellen in 2026, don’t look in Beverly Hills. You’re more likely to find her at a quiet cafe in Chipping Norton or walking her dogs through a rainy meadow. She’s gone.
Moving forward: What to watch for
If you are following this story, the next thing to watch is Portia de Rossi’s business ventures. Portia has been heavily involved in the art world and publishing. Seeing where she focuses her energy will tell us if this is a permanent residency or just a very long "gap year" for the wealthy.
For those curious about the logistics of such a move, it’s worth looking into the Tier 1 (Investor) visa routes or the "Global Talent" visas that many high-profile individuals use to secure residency in the UK. While Ellen's move was swift, the legal groundwork was likely laid months in advance.
The biggest takeaway? When a celebrity tells you they are "done," sometimes they actually mean it. Ellen DeGeneres moving to England is the punctuation mark at the end of a very long, very complicated chapter of American media history.
Next Steps for Readers:
- Research the Cotswolds: If you're interested in why celebrities flock here, look into the "Chipping Norton set" to see the social circle Ellen is likely joining.
- Check Real Estate Records: Keep an eye on Montecito property listings to see the finality of her California exit.
- Follow UK News: Watch for any local British interviews, as Ellen may eventually speak to the UK press once the dust settles on her move.