Ellen DeGeneres and her wife, Portia de Rossi, have discovered that, unfortunately, the grass is not always greener on the other side, especially when it is covered in heavy frost.
A year after the former talk show host and the actress fled to an idyllic English town, they appear to be suffering from severe buyer’s remorse.
Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi famously cited the political climate in the U.S. and the re-election of Donald Trump as the reasons for their great escape to the UK.
After a year of reflection, they have decided to leave England early, citing the harsh winter and the pull of their Hollywood community.
The Great Escape: A Political Statement
When the couple moved to Europe, DeGeneres was clear about their motive for relocating to the Cotswolds. She said she chose the Cotswolds the day after Trump was re-elected, believing life “is just better” in the UK.
She recalled: “We arrived [in the UK] the day before the election and woke up to texts from friends with crying emojis. I realized, ‘He got in.’ So we said, ‘We’re staying here.'”
She also worried that “the Baptist Church in America is trying to reverse gay marriage.” The couple sold California real estate, flew their multimillion-dollar horse to the UK, and told friends like Oprah Winfrey, Prince Harry, and Meghan Markle their move would be permanent. But their love for British country life faded quickly.
The Chill Sets In: Missing Sunshine And Society
Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi tried to adapt—often seen at local pubs like The Farmer’s Dog and The Falkland Arms. They interacted with neighbors, and DeGeneres regularly posted on social media about country charm, ducks, chickens, and the slower pace of life.
But the country’s charm faded, and dreary weather left them feeling unwelcome. Sources now say DeGeneres and de Rossi plan to spend more time in sunny California.
A source said: “Ellen insisted they’d stay in the UK while Trump was in office, but she’s changed her mind. She tells friends they’re coming home soon because they miss them and can’t stand the winters, and Portia wants to act again. They’ll be home for the holidays and longer.”
Another source told the media outlet that the return to California is imminent and added, “Ellen says they’ll return to California soon. They miss the warm weather and friends.”
Hollywood’s Siren Call: Portia De Rossi’s Career
The return is not just about sunshine, sandy beaches, California rosé, and missed friends; it appears to be a practical move for Portia de Rossi’s career.
De Rossi is now known for her passion for art and horses; however, she is a talented actress who starred in Ally McBeal and Arrested Development, and she is eager to return to acting. For a Hollywood power couple who built a multi-million-dollar fortune and were once staples of the Montecito/LA social scene, the pull of their professional community and parties is proving stronger than the quiet life.
Portia De Rossi’s Suffocation: The Marital Micromanagement Crisis
Sources hinted de Rossi wants to work again, tired of being at the farm with a restless former workaholic who currently has no job.
The insider revealed via Yahoo: “Portia loves Ellen dearly, but she feels totally suffocated much of the time, because every aspect of her life is constantly micromanaged.”
The source said: “If she wants to go for a horse ride, a jog, or even a trip to the shops, it’ll be met with a dozen questions. Ellen hates going anywhere by herself, so Portia’s always on the hook to be by her side.”
Another insider added: “Ellen is extremely protective. Portia wants to do her own thing, but feels suppressed.” The source claimed that the situation was creating marital issues.
According to the insider: “She is putting her foot down and insisting Ellen give her breathing room. She can’t go on like this. She is seriously considering some time apart to clear her head and get her life back. If Ellen doesn’t back off and listen, it may well just drive Portia out the door permanently.”
During a rare sit-down with the BBC, DeGeneres confirmed the rumors that she was bored and needed a change. She confessed: “I want to have fun, I want to do something. I do like my chickens, but I’m a little bit bored.”
Ultimately, the couple’s apparent reversal reveals a central truth: that super wealthy people, bad weather, boredom, and possible marital tensions outweigh politics and ideologies.
They sold the multimillion-dollar homes and fled to the UK to be rich farmers and to raise chickens. After an unpleasant winter, they can fly back to the West Coast, hire a staff, purchase several other mansions, and pick up where they left them.
