This isn’t the first big change in DeGeneres’s life, as she recently also announced her retirement from showbiz.
The comedian and former talk show host, known for her 19-season run on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, announced that her Netflix special, filmed on August 16, 2024, will be her last professional project.
The announcement coincided with her 16th wedding anniversary to Portia de Rossi, a moment she described as ‘lucky and special.’
And now, the family is set to depart the US and move abroad.
Ellen DeGeneres and her family have announced they’re moving away from the United States. Credit: Alamy
DeGeneres rose to fame hosting her daytime talk show, blending comedy, celebrity interviews, and heartfelt human-interest stories.
However, the show ended in 2022 following allegations of a toxic workplace environment, including claims of harassment and discrimination.
While DeGeneres herself wasn’t accused of misconduct, the scandal significantly impacted her reputation, and she has largely stayed out of the public eye since.
Recently, DeGeneres returned to the spotlight with Ellen’s Last Stand… Up Tour, which she confirmed would mark her farewell to television and film.
Reflecting on her career’s ups and downs, she said: “This is the last time you’re going to see me. After my Netflix special, I’m done.”
The controversy surrounding her show began in 2020, when BuzzFeed published exposés alleging a toxic workplace culture.
The reports included claims from current and former employees, one of whom stated: “That ‘be kind’ bulls**t only happens when the cameras are on. It’s all for show.”
Another added: “It’s her responsibility to go beyond what executive producers tell her.”
Although DeGeneres addressed these issues publicly, admitting that things occurred on her show ‘that should never have happened,’ the scandal marked a turning point in her career.
In her stand-up routines, DeGeneres has used humor to process the events.
Joking about her situation, she said: “This is the second time I’ve been kicked out of show business… Eventually, they’re going to kick me out for a third time because I’m mean, old, and gay.”
Despite the jokes, she acknowledged the personal toll, describing the experience as ‘devastating’ and noting that it left a significant impact on her self-esteem.
Beyond her career shift, DeGeneres and her wife, Portia de Rossi, have also made major personal changes.
The couple, known for their love of real estate in Montecito, California, recently relocated to the U.K.
According to reports from The Wrap, the move was motivated by the reelection of former President Donald Trump.
The pair, who have reportedly flipped over 21 properties in Santa Barbara County, decided to ‘get the hell out’ after Trump’s victory.
DeGeneres and de Rossi purchased a home in the Cotswolds, roughly two hours from London, before the election, but Trump’s win accelerated their plans.
Despite the relocation, they have yet to decide how much to list their Montecito estate for sale.
The move to the British countryside seems to be a deliberate step toward a quieter life, away from the extremes of fame.
This new chapter may offer DeGeneres a chance to heal from the challenges of recent years.
“The ‘Be kind’ girl wasn’t kind,” she joked in her Netflix special, For Your Approval. “Had I ended my show by saying, ‘Go f*** yourselves,’ people would have been pleasantly surprised to find out I’m kind.”
