Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi left the U.S. for this surprising reason; couple is selling Montecito estate

Ellen DeGeneres and her wife, Portia de Rossi, have reportedly made a drastic change after moving to the Cotswolds in rural England. According to a source close to DeGeneres, the couple's decision was spurred by Donald Trump's 2024 election and their desire for a fresh start away from the United States.

Their Montecito estate, a luxurious property they purchased in 2019 near other well-known stars, including Oprah, is either already pocket-listed or will be officially listed for sale soon. The sprawling home has been their primary residence just north of Los Angeles. What will happen to their other Southern California properties remains to be seen.

A New Chapter in the English Countryside

The move marks a new chapter for the couple, with DeGeneres trading Hollywood's spotlight for the peace of the English countryside. The Cotswolds, known for its rolling hills, quaint villages, and charming stone cottages, starkly contrast their former life in Montecito.

DeGeneres has been candid about her challenges in recent years, including the fallout from accusations of toxic workplace behavior during the final years of The Ellen DeGeneres Show. After the show ended in 2022, DeGeneres admitted she felt she had been "kicked out of show business."

Turning Away from Hollywood

DeGeneres's recent Netflix standup special, Four Your Approval, offered a glimpse into her post-Ellen life. In the special, she shared how her time has been far removed from the entertainment industry, clearly indicating her retreat from the Hollywood spotlight. The special was well-received, showcasing her ability to find humor in her personal and professional challenges.

In July 2024, she hinted at her move after announcing her retirement from the entertainment business. "This is the last time you're going to see me," she said to the audience in San Francisco during her farewell tour Ellen's Last Stand... Up.

"After my Netflix special, I'm done," she explained. "To answer the questions everyone is asking me, yes, I'm going to talk about it," she said in a statement. 

"I'm going bye-bye, remember," she assured her fans. "[I] can be demanding and impatient and tough. I am a strong woman. I am many things, but I am not mean," she previously said about the controversy. "I used to say, 'I don't care what people say about me.' Now I realize I said that during the height of my popularity."

Real Estate Moves

Ellen and Portia's decision to sell their Montecito home has sparked speculation about the couple's next steps in their property portfolio. Known for her love of real estate, DeGeneres has often bought, renovated, and sold high-profile properties. Whether they will maintain any ties to California or fully embrace their new life abroad remains to be seen.

Representatives for Riskin Partners, the elite real estate firm handling the listing, have not commented on the sale. Meanwhile, a former spokeswoman for DeGeneres confirmed she is no longer representing the comedian, as DeGeneres's comedy tour and Netflix collaborations have concluded.

During the standup special, DeGeneres also shared that she discovered she had "full-on osteoporosis." According to her, she could crumble any minute. "I don't even know how I'm standing up right now. I'm like a human sandcastle. I could disintegrate in the shower," she said. "It's hard to be honest about aging and seem cool."

Seeking Solace and Reinvention

For DeGeneres and de Rossi, the move represents more than just a change of scenery—it's a reinvention. While Trump's election may have been the catalyst, it seems clear the couple is seeking solace and a slower pace of life away from the pressures of Hollywood.

As they settle into their new home in the Cotswolds, fans will be watching closely to see how DeGeneres continues to shape her life post-Ellen.

Other celebrities moving out of the United States after Donald Trump's 2024 win, include Eva Longoria and her family.