Ellen and Portia: A Transatlantic Shift? Couple Reportedly Eyes Return to the U.S. After UK Retreat

Ellen and Portia: A Transatlantic Shift? Couple Reportedly Eyes Return to the U.S. After UK Retreat

Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi have long been one of Hollywood’s most beloved power couples, known not only for their celebrity status but also for their shared devotion to privacy, design, and reinvention. Earlier this year, the pair made headlines after quietly relocating to the United Kingdom, reportedly prompted by dissatisfaction with the American political climate following Donald Trump’s 2024 re-election.

Now, just months into their British countryside experiment, sources report that Ellen and Portia are strongly considering a return to the United States—a move sparking renewed public and media fascination with their evolving personal and professional narratives.

In early 2025, reports surfaced that DeGeneres and de Rossi had officially departed from the U.S., selling off a significant portion of their enviable California real estate portfolio, including their Montecito mansion. Their destination? The serene, green hills of the Cotswolds in England—a place favored by royals, writers, and retirees seeking peace.

The Move to the UK: A Political and Personal Shift

The relocation came on the heels of Trump’s re-election and was interpreted by many as a quiet protest. According to insiders, Ellen and Portia were seeking a slower pace, greater privacy, and a political landscape that better aligned with their values. The Cotswolds, with its historic architecture and bucolic charm, offered a welcome escape from the frenetic energy of Los Angeles.

Their new home, reportedly an $18 million countryside estate, became a canvas for their well-known passion for interior design and restoration. Ellen has long been celebrated for her design aesthetic and has co-authored several books on home styling, while Portia, a former actress, has leaned increasingly into business and design ventures in recent years.

🇺🇸 Why Return Now? Weighing Life in the Spotlight

Despite the pastoral peace of rural England, life outside the U.S. may not have offered everything the couple envisioned. According to sources close to the duo, their time in the UK has been creatively enriching but professionally limiting. Ellen, whose comedic voice and presence are closely tied to American audiences, is said to be feeling the pull of her roots.

Since ending The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2022 after a 19-year run, the comedian has taken a step back from the relentless pace of daytime television. However, her 2024 Netflix special marked a highly praised return to stand-up, signaling a desire to reconnect with her comedic core. Critics and fans alike noted the special’s raw, reflective tone—offering insight into DeGeneres’s personal evolution after years in the spotlight.

Portia de Rossi, who officially retired from acting in 2018, has also been quietly building her empire, focusing on art, design, and her philanthropy. But sources suggest that she, too, misses the cultural familiarity and social circles of California.

There are also practical reasons behind the rumored return. Family ties, easier access to career opportunities, and the couple’s history of real estate investments in Southern California make a stateside homecoming all the more logical.

Renewed Public Fascination

What’s undeniable is the intense public curiosity that continues to surround Ellen and Portia’s relationship. Their love story—publicly unfolding over nearly two decades—has endured Hollywood pressures, career shifts, and media scrutiny. Their decision to leave the U.S. made headlines, but their possible return is causing an even bigger stir.

Why? In part, it’s because Ellen’s presence is missed. Though controversial in the final seasons of her talk show due to allegations of workplace toxicity, DeGeneres remains an influential figure in entertainment. Her stand-up work and candid post-show interviews have given audiences a glimpse into her life beyond the cameras—a move many see as both humanizing and redemptive.

Meanwhile, Portia remains one of Hollywood’s most admired and stylish figures, even in semi-retirement. Their shared love of design, philanthropy, and animal rights continues to resonate with fans who have followed their journey for years.

What’s Next?

Whether the couple officially returns to the U.S. full-time remains to be seen, but speculation suggests a possible move back to California by the end of 2025. That might coincide with new creative projects from Ellen, who has hinted at writing another memoir and potentially launching a new podcast or digital series.

If the return is confirmed, it would not only mark another chapter in their personal story—it would signal Ellen’s continued reinvention as a performer navigating fame, accountability, and authenticity in the public eye.

For now, fans will be watching closely as one of Hollywood’s most iconic couples decides where “home” truly is.