Wait, I thought they were gone for good? If you follow the ellen and portia latest news, you probably remember the headlines from late 2024. The couple basically packed up their entire lives—horses, dogs, and all—and moved to the English countryside. It wasn't just a vacation. It was a "permanent" relocation to the Cotswolds, fueled by the results of the U.S. presidential election.
But honestly, in Hollywood years, "permanent" usually means about twelve months.
As of January 2026, the situation has flipped. Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi are making a massive U-turn back to Southern California. They just dropped a staggering $27.4 million on a mansion in Montecito. This isn't just a rumor anymore; property records show the deal closed late in 2025. It’s a classic off-market power move, buying the estate from Hollywood producer Brian Grazer.
The Real Reason the British Dream Faded
So, what happened to the sheep and the quiet village life?
Living in a 43-acre farmhouse sounds like a dream until you actually have to live through a British winter. Sources close to the couple have been pretty vocal about the fact that the "rainy countryside" got old fast. It turns out, when you've spent decades in the California sun, the gray skies of Oxfordshire hit a little differently.
There’s also the "boredom" factor.
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While Portia was reportedly thriving—riding her horses through the village and enjoying the anonymity—Ellen seemed to struggle with the pace. You have to remember, this is a woman who ran a daily machine for nearly 20 years. Sitting in a quiet pub like The Farmer’s Dog is nice for a weekend, but for a career-driven person, it can feel like a gilded cage.
- The Weather: Multiple reports from The Mail on Sunday and Star Magazine suggest they simply "couldn't take the winters."
- The Social Circle: They missed their friends. Plain and simple.
- The Renovations: They did what they always do—they flipped. They renovated the Cotswold farm, put it on the market for $30 million, and moved on.
Portia’s Potential White Lotus Comeback
Here is where the ellen and portia latest news gets actually interesting. It’s not just about the houses. There are rumblings that Portia de Rossi is looking to jump back into the acting world.
Specifically, her name has been linked to HBO’s The White Lotus.
If you've followed Portia’s career, you know she stepped away from acting about seven years ago to focus on her art business, General Public. But a role in an anthology series like The White Lotus is the ultimate "it" project right now. The catch? Filming these shows usually takes months in remote, luxury locations.
Reports suggest this has caused some friction. Ellen is reportedly not thrilled about the idea of Portia being away for five months on a film set. Some insiders have even whispered that Ellen’s push to move back to Montecito is a way to keep things "the way they were." Whether that’s true or just typical tabloid speculation, it’s clear that the power dynamic is shifting as Portia explores her own interests again.
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The Montecito Power Move
The new house in Montecito is a beast. We’re talking three acres, a gated estate, and total privacy.
It’s interesting because they had sold off almost all their California real estate before the move to the UK. To come back and immediately drop nearly $30 million shows they aren't just "visiting." They are planting roots again in the same neighborhood where friends like Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and Oprah reside.
Why Montecito?
Montecito is the "safe zone" for celebrities who want to be left alone but still want to be within driving distance of a production meeting. By moving back here, Ellen is positioned perfectly for whatever her "second act" looks like. Even though she said she was "done" after her Netflix special, people in this industry rarely stay done.
What This Means for Their Future
A lot of people are calling this move hypocritical because of how loudly they left. "I guess America isn't so bad after all," is a common sentiment on social media right now.
But if you look at their history, Ellen and Portia are nomadic. They buy, they fix, they sell, and they move. They’ve done this with dozens of homes over the last 15 years. Maybe the UK wasn't a political statement as much as it was just another "flip" on a grander scale.
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The Bottom Line:
They are back on familiar soil. The Cotswold farm is for sale, the Montecito mansion is being prepped, and the "quiet life" experiment seems to be over.
How to Follow the Transition
If you want to keep up with their next moves, keep an eye on these specific indicators:
- The Cotswold Listing: Watch for when the $30 million UK farmhouse actually sells. It’s been on the market for months, and a price drop might signal how eager they are to close that chapter.
- Casting Announcements: Keep a very close eye on the White Lotus Season 4 or 5 casting news. If Portia’s name appears, it confirms the "career resurgence" theory.
- Local Sightings: Montecito is a small town. Sightings at Lucky’s or the Rosewood Miramar will be the first real confirmation that they are back in their old routine.
For now, the era of Ellen and Portia as English country farmers is officially in the rearview mirror. They are back in the 805, and Hollywood is watching to see what they do next.
Actionable Insight: If you're looking to track celebrity real estate trends, the "Montecito Return" of Ellen and Portia is a prime example of how the U.S. luxury market remains the ultimate fallback for A-listers, regardless of the political or social climate. Watch the off-market listings in the Santa Barbara area; that’s where the real power moves are happening this year.