You remember the dancing. The 3,000-plus episodes of high-energy daytime TV, the "Be Kind" mantra, and that signature blonde pixie cut. Then, suddenly, the music stopped. After a massive workplace scandal and a final "farewell" comedy tour, the woman who was once the most trusted person in America seemingly vanished. People started asking, where is Ellen, and the answer isn't just "on vacation."
She’s basically moved across the world. No, seriously. As of early 2026, Ellen DeGeneres and her wife, Portia de Rossi, have fundamentally uprooted their lives. They aren't just hiding out in Montecito anymore.
The Great Escape to the Cotswolds
It’s been a wild year for her real estate portfolio. In late 2024, right around the time the U.S. election results were rolling in, Ellen and Portia packed up and headed to the English countryside. Specifically, they landed in the Cotswolds, a place famous for rolling green hills, honey-colored stone cottages, and very expensive wellington boots.
They didn't just buy a house; they bought a lifestyle. We're talking about a historic farmhouse in Swinbrook, Oxfordshire. At first, it seemed like a temporary "let’s wait and see" move. But then, Ellen told the BBC that the relocation was permanent. She cited the political climate in the U.S. as a major catalyst. She mentioned how they woke up to crying emojis from friends on election night and decided right then: "We're staying here."
The vibe over there? Much quieter. She’s been spotted at local pubs with Natalie Imbruglia, looking way more relaxed. She even grew her hair out a bit and let the gray come through for a while, though recent photos show she might be leaning back into the blonde.
It wasn't all tea and crumpets
Living in a 1700s farmhouse sounds romantic until the roof leaks or, in Ellen's case, the whole place floods. By late 2025, reports surfaced that their multi-million dollar UK home suffered some pretty serious water damage from the relentless British rain.
They also realized their first place was too small. Well, "small" for a couple with a small army of animals. They ended up listing that first Cotswold estate for roughly $30 million—only to buy a bigger, more modern mansion nearby that had better facilities for Portia’s horses.
The Quiet Return to Montecito (Sorta)
If you thought she was gone for good, you haven't been watching the real estate wires. Just this week—mid-January 2026—news broke that Ellen snapped up a $27.4 million mansion in Montecito, California. She bought it off-market from producer Brian Grazer.
Wait, didn't she leave?
Yeah, she did. But Ellen is a serial house flipper. It’s her actual hobby. Buying this property doesn't necessarily mean she's moving back full-time. Some insiders think she’s just missing the California sun after a "brutal" British winter. It's one thing to see snow for the first time—which she said she loved—it's another thing to live through four months of gray skies.
- Current Primary Residence: The Cotswolds, UK.
- New US Asset: A massive compound in Montecito.
- Current Vibe: "House sheep," chickens, and lots of dogs.
Why the Disappearing Act Mattered
Honestly, the "where is Ellen" mystery is fueled by how her show ended. You can't spend two decades telling people to be kind and then have a BuzzFeed News report come out saying your set is a toxic mess. It broke the brand.
Her final Netflix special, For Your Approval, which dropped in late 2024, was her attempt to clear the air. It was... polarizing. Critics called it self-pitying. She basically told the audience, "I got kicked out of show business for being mean." It felt like a breakup letter to Hollywood.
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She admitted she’s a "strong woman" who can be "impatient and demanding." She's done being the "be kind girl." That version of Ellen is dead. The current version is a 67-year-old woman who wants to garden in England and flip houses in California without having to dance for a live audience every Monday through Friday.
What’s She Doing Now?
She isn't retired in the traditional sense. You don't just stop being Ellen DeGeneres. But she is definitely out of the "grind."
- Animal Advocacy: She’s spending a ton of time (and money) on wildlife. She has "house sheep" now. Seriously.
- Real Estate Mogul: This is where her real energy goes. She buys, she renovates, she sells. It’s less stressful than a talk show and pays better.
- The Quiet Life: She’s been very open about her struggle with OCD and ADD, and how the "hatred" she felt from the public affected her mental health. The move to England was a hard reset for her brain.
The locals in her small English village say she's polite but keeps to herself. They don't bother her. No one is asking her to do a monologue at the grocery store.
The Takeaway for Fans (and Haters)
If you're looking for Ellen, look toward the hills—either the ones in Oxfordshire or the ones in Santa Barbara. She’s effectively moved into a "post-fame" era where she controls the narrative. She doesn't need a talk show to be wealthy, and she doesn't need Hollywood's permission to live her life.
She’s basically proven that if you have $450 million, you can just "quit" the United States when you're tired of the weather or the politics.
Next Steps to Track Her Movement:
Keep an eye on the high-end real estate listings in Santa Barbara County. If that $27.4 million mansion pops back up for sale in six months, it was just a flip. If she stays, she might be planning a more permanent U.S. comeback for 2027. Also, check her Instagram for "Sport"—that's the new puppy who's been the star of her recent home tours.