Ellen DeGeneres was once one of Hollywood’s most beloved personalities, but things took a turn in 2020 after former employees recounted negative experiences on the set of The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Former staffers claimed they were penalized for taking medical leave and accused Ellen of instances of racial microaggressions amid fear of retribution for raising complaints.
Although Ellen has been called the “most hated person in America” in headlines, she’s had the support of her wife, Portia de Rossi, throughout the drama.
The talk show host has been living a much more low-key life since her show ended and fans are curious if her marriage with Portia is still going strong.
Are Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi Still Together?
Ellen and Portia are still together. However, sources exclusively told In Touch in October 2024 that Ellen’s bad reputation in Hollywood is spilling into her marriage.
Ellen attempted to revive her career with a Netflix comedy special in September 2024, but it was met with a wave of negative reviews. The unsuccessful attempt to relaunch her career was such a flop that sources said it “only fueled speculation among Ellen and Portia’s remaining friends in Hollywood that their marriage is in serious trouble.”
Split speculation first ignited after Ellen and Portia sold their $70 million Carpinteria, California, mansion in 2024, just two years after making the purchase. “Ellen is known for flipping houses, but this one is different. It was their dream home,” says a source at the time. “They just celebrated their 16th wedding anniversary [on August 16], but it wasn’t exactly celebratory. Ellen being home all the time has taken a toll on their marriage. And Portia isn’t working much either. They’re always in each other’s face, and frankly, they’re getting on each other’s nerves.”
Although Portia had long pushed for Ellen to retire from her talk show, the source admitted that the Arrested Development actress “probably wishes she hadn’t,” adding that, “She doesn’t have her space.”
How Did Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi Meet?
Ellen and Portia met backstage at a concert in 2001 and formed an instant connection. At the time, Portia had yet to come out as a gay woman, and it took three years for the pair to reveal their feelings.
“I remember thinking that she was the coolest, most fascinating, beautiful, funniest person I’d ever met,” Portia later told People in February 2021.
The pair reconnected at an event in 2004 and began dating soon after.
“I ran into Ellen at a photo shoot about a year ago and she took my breath away,” Portia told The Advocate in 2005. “That had never happened to me in my life, where I saw somebody and [experienced] all of those things you hear about in songs and read about in poetry. My knees were weak. It was amazing. And it was very hard for me to get her out of my mind after that.”
When Did Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi Get Married?
Ellen and Portia exchanged vows in 2008 after California legalized same-sex marriage.