Ellen DeGeneres and her wife Portia de Rossi have embarked on what appears to be a new life chapter in the picturesque Cotswolds of England, marking a significant turn from Ellen's tumultuous final years in the American entertainment industry.
Amid controversies that marred her once sterling reputation, the former talk show host has found solace in the tranquil English countryside, a stark contrast to their former life in Montecito, California.
The couple was recently spotted exploring the rustic charms of the Cotswolds, an area renowned for its celebrity residents and royal connections, including King Charles who owns Highgrove House in Gloucestershire.
The region is known for its appeal to those escaping the city's clamor, boasting neighbors such as David and Victoria Beckham, Kate Moss, and Patrick Stewart. Ellen and Portia's relocation is set against a backdrop of significant personal and public shifts, influenced in part by the outcome of the 2024 presidential election.
According to insiders, Ellen had planned to leave the United States prior to the election results that saw Donald Trump win.
A source shared with DailyMail.com: "This is Ellen and Portia’s retirement. Neither one of them have any projects lined up."
The source added that Ellen felt compelled to relocate due to the "ill will" directed at her following allegations of a toxic work environment on her show, which ended its run in May 2022. Ellen's subsequent stand-up special on Netflix, For Your Approval, humorously addressed her fall from grace, signifying her acknowledgment of being "kicked out of show business."
Despite the upheaval, Ellen's move to the UK seems to provide a fresh start away from the controversies. "With all the ill will towards her, she was looking to move away even before the election," another source noted. "And as things panned out with Trump winning, she is glad she is making the move and going to be away from the US."
The decision to settle in the Cotswolds reflects not just a geographical shift but a lifestyle change. Last week, the couple was seen visiting a local pub owned by Jeremy Clarkson, and Ellen has even traded her familiar blonde locks for brunette tresses, perhaps signaling a new beginning or a new identity in this next phase of her life.
As other celebrities like America Ferrera and Eva Longoria make similar moves, Ellen and Portia's transition to the UK highlights a growing trend among public figures seeking refuge from the American spotlight.
The Cotswolds, with its blend of celebrity glamor and rural tranquility, offers the perfect setting for Ellen and Portia to navigate their post-Hollywood lives, away from the scrutiny and pressures that once defined their existence in the US.