Ellen DeGeneres, a well-known character on American television for many years, has moved to the UK to start a new chapter in her life. She and her wife Portia de Rossi are moving after her long-running talk show ended. She says she is doing it because of changes in US politics. In addition to the news about her unexpected move, DeGeneres is dealing with a new world after daytime TV, thinking about past controversies, and continuing to fight for LGBTQ+ rights.
Politics, peace, and personal freedom are why Ellen DeGeneres moved to the UK.
DeGeneres recently said that one of the main reasons she moved to the UK for good was because Donald Trump was re-elected. At first, she and Portia de Rossi thought of living part-time in England, where they would spend a few months each year. But the results of the 2024 presidential election made them even more sure that the UK would be their permanent home.
The Trump Factor: A Reason for Change
DeGeneres talked about the day her brief visit became permanent at an event in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. "We got here the day before the election and woke up to a lot of texts from friends with crying emojis. I thought, 'He got in,' and we said, 'We're staying here.'"
This feeling shows a deeper worry about the state of politics in the US, especially when it comes to civil rights and social progress. DeGeneres thought the UK would be a safe haven from what she sees as a worrying trend in her own country.
Finding Peace: Why British Life is So Appealing
DeGeneres has talked about how much she loves living in the Cotswolds, a beautiful area with lovely villages and stunning natural scenery. She said the location was "absolutely beautiful" and enjoyed many parts of life there.
"It's tidy. People are nicer here, and animals are treated better. I really like it here.
The comedian and de Rossi formally moved in November 2024. They now live in the country with hens and, for a short time, sheep.
Portia de Rossi: A Partner in New Adventures
Portia de Rossi, DeGeneres's wife, has been a big part of this change. The couple has been seen embracing their new town, and DeGeneres has shared pictures of de Rossi enjoying the beautiful scenery on social media. De Rossi even flew her horses to their new home, which showed how much she was committed to living in the United States.
Ellen's Point of View and What the Public Thinks About the "Toxic Workplace" Claims
The Ellen DeGeneres Show ended in 2022 after a lot of criticism because of claims that the workplace was poisonous. In 2020, reports came out that staff members had been racially abused, threatened, and mistreated, which was very different from DeGeneres's public image and the "be kind" theme of her show.
Rebuilding a Reputation After a Controversy
DeGeneres has talked about these claims in her most recent stand-up shows and interviews. She admitted that the criticism hurt her feelings, calling it "devastating."
"I don't think I can say anything that will ever get rid of that [reputation] or make it go away, which hurts me." I detest it.
Warner Bros. looked into the incident and three top producers left the company as a result. At the start of the last season of her program, DeGeneres apologized on the air.
A Change in Personality: From "Be Kind" to "Blunt"
DeGeneres has thought about how the public sees her, especially the "mean" moniker that came up. She says that some of this is because of how direct and frank she is when she talks, which could have led to misunderstandings.
"Every time a story came out, it was like, 'She's harsh.' I didn't want to sound like a victim or 'poor me' or complain, so how do I deal with this? But I wanted to talk about it. I'm a straightforward person, and I think that makes me mean sometimes?
During this time, the public and the media changed their minds about the person, going from loving them to criticizing them heavily. The cancelation of the show had long-term effects on her career that still affect how people see her now.
Ellen DeGeneres's lasting effect on LGBTQ+ rights and activism
Ellen DeGeneres has been a strong supporter of LGBTQ+ rights throughout her career, starting with her landmark coming out in 1997. Her experience shows how LGBTQ+ acceptance has changed over time and how the group still faces problems.
A Look Back: Her Historic Coming Out
In 1997, DeGeneres's character on the sitcom Ellen came out as homosexual, which was a big deal for LGBTQ+ representation on TV and touched many people emotionally. Many people praised her gesture, but it hurt her career at the time since advertisers pulled out and the show ended.
Fighting for Equality: Problems Now and Hopes for the Future
DeGeneres keeps talking about LGBTQ+ problems. She previously said she was worried about moves in the US to take away gay marriage rights, pointing to the Southern Baptist Convention's support for such a move.
"The Baptist Church in America wants to end gay marriage." Portia and I are already looking into it, and if they do that, we'll get married here.
Her remark shows that she is still committed to equality and is willing to do something about challenges to LGBTQ+ rights. DeGeneres wants a world where people can be themselves without fear, but she knows that there is still a long way to go before that happens.
What's next for Ellen DeGeneres after the talk show?
People naturally wonder what DeGeneres will do next in her career now that her talk show is over and she has moved to the UK. She says she enjoys living in a quieter, rural area, but she also says she gets bored.
Stand-Up Comedy: A Return to Its Roots?
DeGeneres has gone back to stand-up comedy with a recent tour and a special on Netflix. This is a return to the art form that started her career. But she has also said things that make it sound like this could be her "last stand."
"I miss a lot about my show, but I feel like people are watching on their phones or not paying as much attention to TVs."
This shows that they are being careful about getting back into the entertainment industry since they know how people are consuming media these days.
Looking for new media businesses
DeGeneres is open to new ideas, even though a typical talk show format might not be her next step. She has said that she wants to "have fun" and "do something" that feels good. She has done voice work in animated movies including Finding Nemo and its sequel, as well as a Discovery Channel show about protecting gorillas. These hint that you might be interested in passion projects or things that aren't on regular TV.
The Money Side of a Big Move
There have also been big real estate deals as part of the shift to the UK. In August 2024, DeGeneres and de Rossi sold their Montecito home for $96 million. They also sold another property in Montecito for $5.2 million, which they bought for $2.9 million in 2020. They bought a $18 million farmhouse in the Cotswolds, but they've also had problems. For example, their first UK property flooded, so they had to move to a nearby mansion. The pair has a history of making money by purchasing and selling real estate.
The Evolution of an Icon: From TV Star to World Figure
Ellen DeGeneres has had some amazing highs and some very hard lows in her career. She has had a lasting impact on TV, from her early days as a stand-up comedian to her pioneering sitcom and long-running talk show. Her choice to go to the UK, which was based on both personal and political reasons, starts a new chapter. It shows that she wants a simpler life away from the bright limelight, but she still wants to be involved in issues that matter to her, including LGBTQ+ rights. Her journey is still one of adapting, thinking, and looking for a purpose beyond the everyday demands of a big TV show. People's opinions of her have changed with time, yet she is still a cultural figure with a lot of power.