It wasn't exactly a quiet exit. For years, rumors swirled that Ellen DeGeneres was looking for a way out of the Hollywood bubble, especially after the fallout from the "toxic workplace" allegations that effectively ended her talk show reign. But when news broke about Ellen DeGeneres moving to UK permanently, it felt different. It wasn't just another celebrity vacation or a house-flipping project. It was a total life overhaul.
Honestly, the timing was the biggest giveaway. She and wife Portia de Rossi didn't just stumble into a British cottage. They landed in England the day before the 2024 U.S. election. By the time they woke up to a flurry of "crying emojis" from friends back home, the decision was made. They weren't coming back.
Why the Cotswolds?
The Cotswolds is basically a postcard come to life. Think rolling green hills, honey-colored stone cottages, and narrow lanes where people actually say "sorry" if they almost bump into you. For a couple who spent decades in the high-intensity glare of Los Angeles and Montecito, the appeal is pretty obvious.
Ellen told broadcaster Richard Bacon during a live chat in Cheltenham that she was struck by the "simpler way of life." It’s clean. It’s polite. It’s a place where she can raise chickens and Portia can ride her horses through actual villages without a dozen paparazzi trailing behind in SUVs.
The $96 Million Exit and the New British Portfolio
You don't just move to the English countryside on a whim when you have a real estate portfolio like theirs. In August 2024, they sold their massive Montecito estate for a staggering $96 million. That’s serious "never coming back" money.
But here’s where it gets interesting. They didn’t just buy one house. They started with Kitesbridge Farm, a 43-acre estate they picked up for about £15 million (roughly $20 million). They didn't just live in it, though. True to form, Ellen brought in a literal army of 70 builders and craftspeople to renovate the place in record time.
💡 You might also like: Elisabeth Harnois: What Most People Get Wrong About Her Relationship Status
From "Tired" Farmhouse to Malibu Style
The original farmhouse was built in the 1700s. It was reportedly a bit "tired" when they got it. Within months, they transformed it into something Sotheby’s described as having a "Malibu-esque" interior. We’re talking:
- An indoor heated pool.
- A "party barn" with its own private pub.
- A helicopter hangar (which could apparently be a padel court if they wanted).
- Stone floors mixed with ancient timber.
But then, they sold it. Or rather, they listed it for £22.5 million just a few months after moving in. Why? Because apparently, 43 acres wasn't enough for Portia’s horses. They’ve since moved to a more modern hilltop mansion in Oxfordshire that has better stables and even more privacy.
Living the "Normal" Life
It’s kinda funny to imagine Ellen DeGeneres at a local pub, but it’s happening. They’ve been spotted at The Farmer’s Dog, the pub owned by Grand Tour star Jeremy Clarkson. Locals in the village of Wigginton say she’s "down to earth." They see her with her dogs—including their new puppy, Sport—and nobody really bothers her.
In England, celebrity culture is just... quieter. People might gossip in the village shop, but they aren't going to jump over a fence for a selfie. For someone who was once called "the most hated woman in America" by tabloids, that kind of anonymity must feel like a literal weight lifting off her shoulders.
Politics and the "Why"
We have to talk about the elephant in the room. Ellen hasn't been shy about the fact that Donald Trump’s re-election was the final "push." While they already had the house in England, it was supposed to be a part-time thing. Maybe three or four months a year.
📖 Related: Don Toliver and Kali Uchis: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
The election results changed the math.
Beyond just the "vibe" of the country, Ellen pointed to specific concerns about LGBTQ+ rights in the States. She mentioned the Southern Baptist Church’s efforts to challenge same-sex marriage as a major red flag. She even told the audience in Cheltenham that she and Portia are considering renewing their vows in the UK just to ensure their marriage is protected under British law if things go sideways in the U.S. courts.
The Move Wasn't Totally Smooth
It hasn't all been tea and scones. Shortly after the move, there were reports of a "technical breach" regarding their renovations. Apparently, adding a single-story extension to a historic farmhouse in a region filled with Roman ruins is a bit of a headache.
The local parish council had some thoughts.
There were concerns about flood risks.
There were worries about disturbing those ancient ruins.
Her team says everything was done to a high standard and is nowhere near the sensitive archaeological sites, but it’s a reminder that even in a "simpler" life, you still have to deal with the local planning office.
👉 See also: Darius Rucker with Wife: What Really Happened and Who He’s With Now
Is This the End of Ellen in Showbiz?
Basically, yes. Her 2024 Netflix special, For Your Approval, was marketed as her "final" stand-up. In it, she talked about being "kicked out of show business" and finding peace with her chickens.
Moving to the UK feels like the final period at the end of that sentence. She’s 67 now. She’s spent decades being "on." Now, she’s seeing snow for the first time in her life (seriously, she said she'd never seen it before moving to the Cotswolds) and worrying about whether her sheep are happy.
What You Can Learn From the "Ellen Exit"
If you're looking at Ellen DeGeneres moving to UK as a blueprint for your own "big escape," there are some practical takeaways here, even if you don't have $96 million in the bank.
- Test the waters first: They bought the house before the "permanent" move. Never move to a new country—especially one with British winters—without spending some time there when the weather is gray.
- The "Horse Factor": If you have animals or specific hobbies, the property dictates the lifestyle. They had to move twice because the first "dream home" didn't actually fit their daily needs.
- Community matters: Choosing a "small village" life means you have to be okay with local gossip. If you're polite and keep it low-key, the locals will usually return the favor.
- Legal protections: If you're moving for political or civil rights reasons, look into how the local laws actually protect your status. The vow renewal idea isn't just romantic; it's a legal strategy.
The move seems to be sticking. While there's always a rumor that "they're bored" or "missing the sun," the reality of their real estate shifts and the transportation of their entire lives—horses and all—suggests that the Cotswolds is home for the foreseeable future.
To keep up with her new life, your best bet is following her social media, where she occasionally posts videos of her dogs running through the Oxfordshire mist. Just don't expect another talk show anytime soon. She seems perfectly content being "the lady with the chickens" in a village where nobody cares about her Nielsen ratings.