Ellen DeGeneres and her wife, Portia de Rossi, are said to have acquired a mansion in Montecito, California, for $27.4 million, according to reports from a series of US publications.
The property was allegedly purchased from film producer Brian Grazer in an off-market transaction that completed in November.
This acquisition comes approximately 14 months after the couple departed the United States for the Cotswolds, a move believed to be prompted primarily by Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election.
The 68-year-old former chat show presenter and the 53-year-old Arrested Development star had also considered that “a fresh start couldn’t hurt” following allegations of a toxic workplace environment that led to her being “cancelled” several years earlier.
Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi are said to want to split their time between the USA and UK
|
PA
Despite the California purchase, the couple have no intention of returning to America on a permanent basis.
“She’s not moving back to the US but will continue to split her time between both the UK and Montecito,” a source told People.
The pair have reportedly been yearning for California’s climate and equestrian opportunities since settling in the English countryside.
“Portia loves polo and her horses,” an insider explained.
Ellen DeGeneres used to be one of the USA’s biggest talk show hosts
|
PA
Sources indicate that Ms DeGeneres had not been spotted in her English neighbourhood for several months, with locals believing she had departed the area.
The couple were seen in Santa Barbara in December, and that same month, the television personality posted content from California on her Instagram account.
When Ms DeGeneres and Ms de Rossi initially relocated to England over a year ago, they purchased a farmhouse for roughly $18 million, though it ultimately proved unsuitable for their requirements, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The couple subsequently acquired a second property in the region featuring contemporary design elements, including floor-to-ceiling windows.
Donald Trump’s return to the White House was allegedly behind Ellen’s move to the UK
| GETTY
This newer residence, situated on a hilltop on the edge of an Oxfordshire village, better accommodated Ms de Rossi’s horses with appropriate facilities and ample grazing land.
The original farmhouse was listed for sale in July at $30.5 million, though Realtor.com reported in late January that the property had been withdrawn from the market, with no explanation given for the delisting.
The Montecito property places Ms DeGeneres and Ms de Rossi in proximity to several high-profile residents, with Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Aniston among those who own homes in the exclusive coastal community.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle also reside in the area.
Their Cotswolds base similarly boasts an impressive roster of celebrity neighbours.
Sir David and Victoria Beckham, Kate Moss, Patrick Stewart, Elizabeth Hurley, Jeremy Clarkson, and artist Damien Hirst all maintain properties in the picturesque rural region.
In fact, Ms DeGeneres was spotted partying with Mr Clarkson and his partner Lisa Hogan at his pub The Farmer’s Dog shortly after he bought the establishment in 2024.
The area even has royal connections, with King Charles owning Highgrove House in Gloucestershire.
GB News has contacted Ms DeGeneres’ representatives for comment.