Did Ellen Move Out Of The Country? What Really Happened In The Cotswolds

Honestly, the rumor mill has been spinning so fast around Ellen DeGeneres lately that it’s hard to keep track of where she actually hangs her hat. One minute she’s the queen of daytime TV, and the next, she’s reportedly ditching the California sun for a rainy village in England. If you’ve been scrolling through your feed wondering did Ellen move out of the country, the short answer is a very firm yes. She didn’t just take a long vacation; she packed up the dogs, the chickens, and even Portia’s horses.

The whole thing went down in November 2024. It wasn't exactly a quiet exit, either. For years, Ellen was basically synonymous with Montecito, that ultra-wealthy enclave in California where everyone has a hedge taller than your house. But after her talk show ended on a pretty sour note and the 2024 election results rolled in, she decided she’d had enough of the "Stateside" drama.

The Big Move: Why Ellen Left the U.S.

It wasn't just about the weather or wanting better tea. Ellen has been pretty blunt about her reasons. During a talk at the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham in July 2025, she basically admitted that Donald Trump’s re-election was the final straw. She and her wife, Portia de Rossi, actually arrived in the U.K. the day before the election.

When they woke up to a flurry of "crying emoji" texts from friends, they looked at each other and decided they weren't going back. "We’re staying here," they said. It’s a classic "vote with your feet" move, though it’s a lot easier to do when you’ve got a net worth in the hundreds of millions.

But let’s be real—the political climate wasn't the only thing. Ellen’s reputation took a massive hit a few years back. You remember the "toxic workplace" allegations? It turns out being "kicked out of show business," as she puts it, makes the quiet English countryside look a lot more appealing than a Hollywood studio where everyone is whispering behind your back.

Life in the Cotswolds

They didn't just move to any random spot. They headed straight for the Cotswolds. If you haven't seen pictures, think "The Holiday" but with more celebrities. It’s a place where you’re more likely to run into David Beckham or Kate Moss at the local pub than a tourist with a selfie stick.

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Initially, they bought a historic farmhouse for about $20 million. They went into "extreme renovation mode," hiring 70 workers to finish what should have been an 18-month project in just 10 weeks. Talk about being a demanding boss, right? But ironically, they barely lived there.

They realized pretty quickly that the farmhouse wasn't quite right for Portia’s horses. So, they did what any normal person (with a limitless bank account) would do: they listed that farmhouse for $30 million and moved into a much more modern, glass-walled mansion nearby.

Did Ellen Move Out Of The Country Permanently?

This is where things get a bit "kinda-sorta." While she told everyone in England that she loves the "polite people" and the way animals are treated better there, her real estate habits tell a different story.

Just when everyone thought she was gone for good, news broke in early 2026 that she’d snapped up a new $27.4 million mansion back in Montecito. This was an off-market deal, very hush-hush.

So, what does that mean?

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1. Investment Property: She’s a notorious house flipper. She buys, she fixes, she sells for a profit. It’s basically her hobby.
2. The "Weather" Factor: Rumor has it the British rain started getting to her. Seeing snow for the first time is cool for about a week; after that, you start missing the Santa Barbara sunshine.
3. Dual Living: She might just be keeping a foot in both ponds.

As of right now, her primary "home base" is still officially the U.K., but the purchase of the new California estate has everyone wondering if her "permanent" move was more of a "long-term break."

What Life Looks Like for Ellen Now

In the U.K., Ellen seems to be living a version of "The Simple Life." She’s got chickens. She had sheep for a couple of weeks (though that didn't seem to last). She’s been spotted at The Farmer’s Dog, which is a pub owned by Jeremy Clarkson.

It’s a weirdly domestic pivot for someone who spent two decades dancing on a stage in front of millions of people. Neighbors in the village of Wigginton say she’s "chilled" and "polite," which is a far cry from the "mean" headlines that chased her out of L.A.

The Real Estate Trail

To understand if someone has really left, you look at their assets. Here is a quick look at what she's been doing with her properties:

• The $96 Million Sale: Before leaving, she sold her massive Carpinteria estate. That’s a "shutting the door" kind of sale.
• The $30 Million Listing: Her first U.K. home is still on the market, likely because it’s prone to flooding (the Cotswolds can get pretty soggy).
• The New Montecito Purchase: The $27.4 million mansion she just bought from producer Brian Grazer. This is the one that has everyone confused.

If you’re trying to keep up, basically, she’s currently living in a modern glass house in England but has a very expensive "backup plan" waiting for her in California.

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The Verdict on the Move

So, did Ellen move out of the country? Yes, she officially relocated to the United Kingdom in late 2024. She cited the U.S. political landscape and a desire for a "simpler life" as her main motivators. She seems to genuinely enjoy the privacy she gets in a small English village where people mostly leave her alone.

However, the recent 2026 purchase in Montecito suggests she hasn't completely severed her ties to the U.S. Whether she’s moving back full-time or just wants a place to stay when she visits her friends, she's definitely keeping her options open.

If you’re looking to follow in her footsteps (the moving part, maybe not the $20 million mansion part), here are a few things to consider based on her experience:

• Research the Climate: The U.K. is beautiful, but the "gray" is real. If you’re coming from California, the lack of sun is a genuine shock to the system.
• Privacy vs. Publicity: Moving to a small village can give you privacy, but you’re also the "new person" in a place where everyone knows everyone.
• Keep Your Assets Liquid: Ellen’s ability to move back and forth comes from her massive real estate portfolio. For most people, a move across the ocean is a one-way street for a long time.

If you're curious about her day-to-day, she still posts the occasional video of Portia riding horses on Instagram, usually set to a Taylor Swift song. It looks peaceful. Whether that peace lasts or she ends up back on a California porch remains to be seen.