When people search for "Portia de Rossi husband," they’re usually looking for one of two things: a name from a past life or confirmation of the person she’s been with for two decades. It’s a bit of a trick question in 2026. If you’re looking for her current partner, you’re thinking of the legendary comedian Ellen DeGeneres. They’ve been married since 2008. But if you specifically want to know about the man she was legally wed to, that story is a lot more complicated than a simple IMDb credit.
Portia actually had a husband in the late 90s. His name was Mel Metcalfe. He was a documentary filmmaker, and honestly, the whole thing felt like a script from a movie that went off the rails. They married in 1996 and divorced by 1999. Years later, Portia was very open about the fact that she wasn't being true to herself back then. She even admitted the marriage was initially part of a plan to get a green card, though she never actually went through with that part of the scheme.
The Mel Metcalfe Era: More Than Just a Green Card
It’s easy to look back and call it a "sham" marriage, but Portia has described it as a "great, caring relationship" that just wasn't right for her soul. She was a young actress on Ally McBeal, terrified that the world would find out she was gay. In that era of Hollywood, being out wasn't just brave; it was considered career suicide.
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The end of that marriage wasn't just about her coming to terms with her sexuality, though. It was messy. Metcalfe ended up leaving Portia for her own sister-in-law. Yeah, you read that right. He ran off with the wife of Portia’s brother, Michael. It was a double betrayal that sent the family into a tailspin.
- Married: 1996
- Divorced: 1999
- The Twist: He left her for her brother's wife, Renee.
Why the World Still Searches for a Husband
Maybe it’s because she legally changed her name to Portia Lee James DeGeneres, or maybe it’s just the way SEO works, but the "husband" query persists. After the divorce from Metcalfe, Portia spent a few years dating Francesca Gregorini—who happens to be the stepdaughter of Ringo Starr. They were together from 2000 to 2004, but Portia was still mostly "in the closet" to the general public during that time.
Then came the night that changed everything.
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She ran into Ellen DeGeneres backstage at an awards show in late 2004. Portia has often said it was like a lightning bolt. Her knees literally went weak. That connection gave her the courage to finally live an honest life. They went public at a Golden Globes afterparty in 2005, and suddenly, the "husband" talk was replaced by "power couple" headlines.
Marriage, Montecito, and the Move to England
Fast forward to 2026, and the couple has survived more than most Hollywood pairings. They tied the knot in August 2008 at their home in Beverly Hills, just after the California Supreme Court overturned the ban on same-sex marriage. It was an intimate affair—only 19 guests. They both wore Zac Posen.
Recently, things have been pretty wild for them. In late 2024, they decided to ditch the United States entirely. They moved to the Cotswolds in England, buying a massive estate because, as Ellen put it, Portia "couldn't live without her horses." They spent 2025 living the quiet life, although "quiet" is relative when you're selling multi-million dollar farmhouses because they keep flooding.
The 2026 Update: Are They Back?
Rumors are flying right now because they just snapped up a $27.4 million mansion in Montecito, California. It looks like the "permanent" move to the UK might have been more of a long vacation. Insiders suggest they missed their friends, or maybe the English rain just got to be too much. Either way, their real estate portfolio is as active as ever.
What to Remember About Portia's Marriage History
If you're trying to keep the facts straight, here’s the breakdown of her most significant chapters:
- Mel Metcalfe (1996–1999): The only man she was ever married to. A filmmaker and a source of significant family drama.
- Francesca Gregorini (2000–2004): A long-term relationship that ended right before she met Ellen.
- Ellen DeGeneres (2004–Present): Her spouse for 17+ years. They have weathered talk show controversies, retirement, and international moves.
Honestly, Portia's journey from a closeted actress in a green-card marriage to a woman living openly on a horse ranch in England (or a mansion in Montecito) is pretty inspiring. She stopped hiding, and in doing so, she became half of one of the most famous marriages in the world.
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If you're looking to follow her current life, check out her art company, General Public. She’s moved away from acting and focuses heavily on tech-driven art curation now. It’s a far cry from the Ally McBeal days, but she seems a lot happier for it. Keep an eye on the Montecito real estate listings—that’s usually the best way to see what she and Ellen are up to next.