Ellen DeGeneres and her wife, Portia de Rossi, who made headlines by “fleeing” to the United Kingdom following the re-election of Donald Trump, are now finding that even a “simpler way of life” can be derailed by an unwanted third party: Mother Nature.
Ellen DeGeneres: From Hollywood Royalty To Countryside Castaway
When the pair stunned the world by relocating to the idyllic town of Burford in the Cotswolds, they left behind a life of California sunshine and a massive social circle. Before the move, they were often seen with their famous inner circle of A-listers, including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (their neighbors in Montecito), Jennifer Aniston, Orlando Bloom, Katy Perry and Kris Jenner.
Initially, the pair seemed happy raising chickens, ducks, and caring for Portia‘s pedigree horses at their sprawling Kitesbridge Farm. They were often spotted hitting the local pubs, like Jeremy Clarkson‘s The Farmer’s Dog, mingling with locals and seemingly embracing their new anonymity and serenity. However, the honeymoon phase did not last.
Speaking to an audience in Cheltenham last year, Ellen reflected on the move by confessing: “We bought what we thought was a part-time house… We got here the day before the election and woke up to a bunch of texts with crying emojis. I just knew he won. And we said, ‘We’re staying here.’ Everything here is just better, even the way animals are treated.”
At one point, she addressed the rumors of her move being a reaction to the political landscape, confirming: “Yes… We’re staying here [in the UK]… if they reverse [same-sex marriage], we’re going to get married here.”
The Unwanted Third Party: Mother Nature Strikes
The situation quickly turned into a nightmare as “Mother Nature” took center stage. The couple’s $20 million farmhouse became a target for the elements. Storm Claudia reminded them that famous names and big checks have no power over the elements. The area was hit by severe flooding when the nearby River Windrush burst its banks, inundating the estate.
The struggles continued as the powerful couple fought to sell the estate. After a frantic 70-worker, 10-week renovation, they listed the property for $30 million in July 2025. However, the persistent flooding and a “crazy” asking price have left the property struggling to find a buyer. Then the harsh and gloomy winter came.
Beyond the floods, the daily reality of a harsh British winter — dark, damp, and freezing — became too much for the California-bred duo to bear. Ellen had previously admitted the timing was difficult, stating: “We moved here in November, which was not the ideal time, but I saw snow for the first time in my life… but it’s just a simpler, calmer life.”
As the winter dragged on, that “calm” reportedly turned into isolation. Reports surfaced that the couple was “climbing the walls” due to the lack of social stimulation and the perpetually grey skies.
The Great Return: A Temporary Retreat Or A Final Act?
Barely a year after their “permanent” move, the couple has reportedly returned to the US. They recently purchased a palatial new $27.4 million mansion in Montecito, California, previously owned by producer Brian Grazer. While a source close to the couple insists the move is “only temporary,” the narrative has shifted significantly.
As the source explained to Page Six: “They haven’t grown tired of the UK. They wanted to spend the winter in Montecito. They love the Cotswolds and look forward to returning very soon.”
Despite these claims, the move suggests that while Ellen DeGeneres was ready to escape the US’s political climate, she was not prepared for the climactic battle with the British elements.
It seems, for now, the sun of Montecito has proven more alluring than the rain-soaked or sun-drenched fields of Swinbrook.
