You’ve probably seen the headlines swirling around or heard the whispers: "Did Ellen leave the US for good?" Honestly, it sounds like one of those celebrity rumors that usually fizzles out after a week, but this one is actually true. Ellen DeGeneres and her wife, Portia de Rossi, packed up their lives in Montecito and headed across the Atlantic.
They didn't just go for a long vacation. They moved.
The big move to the Cotswolds
The couple didn't pick just anywhere to settle down. They landed in the Cotswolds, which is this stunningly picturesque area in South West England. Think rolling green hills, honey-colored stone cottages, and narrow winding roads. It’s basically the "anti-Hollywood."
Actually, they already owned a home there. They bought a farmhouse in rural Oxfordshire back in early 2024, but it was originally supposed to be a part-time getaway. A place to escape the California sun and the glare of the paparazzi for three or four months a year.
Then, November happened.
Everything changed on election night. Ellen later told a crowd at the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham that she woke up to a barrage of texts from friends full of "crying emojis." Once it was clear that Donald Trump had won the 2024 presidential election, the "part-time" plan went out the window.
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"We're staying here," she told Portia. And they did.
Why Ellen DeGeneres really left America
It’s easy to look at the political angle and stop there. Ellen has been very vocal about how the election results were the final push. She mentioned during her first public UK appearance in July 2025 that she wanted to live somewhere where "animals are treated better" and "people are polite." She even hinted that she and Portia might get married again on British soil if LGBTQ+ rights are rolled back in the States.
But let’s be real for a second. There’s more to it than just a change in administration.
The last few years haven't been kind to Ellen’s public image. You remember the "toxic workplace" allegations that rocked her show in 2020? That was the beginning of the end for the Ellen DeGeneres Show. After 19 seasons, the show wrapped up in 2022, and the "Be Kind" brand took a massive hit.
She hasn't been shy about how that felt. During her final stand-up tour, she joked—with a bit of a bite—that she was "kicked out of show business" for being mean. For someone who was once the most beloved face on daytime TV, that kind of fall from grace is heavy.
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Moving to a small village in England where people mostly leave you alone? That's not just a political statement. It's a fresh start. It’s a way to leave the "mean Ellen" narrative 5,000 miles behind.
Life in the English countryside
So, what does Ellen’s life look like now? It’s a far cry from the studio lots of Burbank.
- The Animals: Portia flew her horses over. They’ve got chickens. They even had sheep for a couple of weeks, though that apparently didn't last.
- The Weather: Ellen saw snow for the first time in her life since moving. She said November wasn't the "ideal" time to move, but she seems to love the change of pace.
- The Locals: People in the village of Wigginton say they see the couple at the local pub, The Farmer’s Dog (owned by Jeremy Clarkson). They bring their dogs, they’re polite, and most importantly, the locals don't bother them.
It hasn't been all sunshine and rainbows, though. Their first farmhouse actually flooded during a particularly wet British winter. They’ve since moved into a much larger, more modern glass-walled mansion in the same area. Some of the neighbors supposedly think it looks like a "monstrosity" or a "prison" because it's so modern compared to the old stone cottages, but Ellen and Portia seem to value the privacy.
Is it permanent?
This is where things get interesting. For most of 2025, the narrative was that they were "never coming back." They sold off almost all of their California real estate. In March 2025, they offloaded one of their last Montecito properties for $5.2 million, which was actually $200,000 over the asking price.
But recently, there’s been a bit of a shift.
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By early 2026, reports started surfacing that the couple might be having second thoughts about the permanent move. Rumors suggest they’ve already purchased another property back in Montecito. Is the British weather getting to them? Is the "simpler life" a bit too simple?
Some insiders claim that while Ellen was adamant about staying away as long as Trump is in office, the reality of living abroad is different from the idea of it.
What this means for her fans
If you're waiting for a new talk show, don't hold your breath. Ellen has been pretty clear: she’s done with show business. Her Netflix special, For Your Approval, was marketed as her final bow.
She seems content with her "retirement" projects—which mostly involve house flipping, but on a global scale now. She’s bought and sold over 50 houses in her life. Why stop just because you changed countries?
Actionable insights for following the story
If you're trying to keep up with whether Ellen is actually staying in the UK or heading back to California, here’s how to separate fact from tabloid fluff:
- Watch the Real Estate: Ellen and Portia are "house-flipping" addicts. If they buy a major estate back in Montecito, it's a huge sign that their UK stint might just be a long-term sabbatical rather than a permanent exile.
- Social Media Glimpses: Ellen’s Instagram is where she shares the most "human" moments. Look for the videos of Portia riding horses or their new puppies. If the scenery shifts back to the Santa Ynez mountains, you'll know.
- Local UK News: Follow outlets like the Oxford Mail or Gloucestershire Live. They often report on local planning permission issues, which is how the news of their house move and extension drama first broke.
The move was a massive gamble on a quieter, "kinder" life. Whether the English rain eventually sends them back to the California coast remains to be seen, but for now, Ellen is officially a resident of the UK.
Check your local celebrity real estate trackers to see if her latest Montecito purchase is a permanent return or just another investment.