The internet has a weird way of deciding people are over before they actually are. If you’ve spent any time on social media lately, you’ve likely seen the headlines. Some are frantic, others are smug, but they all ask the same thing: did Ellen DeGeneres get divorced? Honestly, the rumors have been relentless. Between the "toxic workplace" fallout that ended her talk show in 2022 and her sudden, dramatic move to the English countryside in late 2024, people assumed the stress finally snapped her marriage to Portia de Rossi. It’s a classic tabloid trope. Big life change? Must be a split.
But here’s the reality as of January 2026: No, Ellen DeGeneres did not get divorced. They’re still together. In fact, they just marked their 17th wedding anniversary last August. But while the marriage is intact, the "happily ever after" has been, well, complicated. Moving 5,000 miles away to escape American politics only to realize you hate the rain is a lot for any couple to handle.
The UK Move and Those Persistent Split Rumors
The whole "divorce" narrative really caught fire when the couple vanished from California. After Donald Trump won the 2024 election, Ellen and Portia famously packed up and headed to the Cotswolds. They weren't just vacationing; they were gone.
For a while, the silence was deafening. When a celebrity couple stops appearing at the usual Montecito haunts, the gossip mill starts grinding. People speculated that Portia was "forced" into the move or that the isolation of rural England was driving a wedge between them.
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Then came the real estate whiplash.
They bought a historical farmhouse. Then it flooded. Then they bought a modern glass-walled mansion. Then they listed that for $30 million. When you buy and sell houses as fast as Ellen does, people assume you're liquidating assets for a legal battle. But if you've followed Ellen for years, you know she flips houses like most people change their socks. It’s her hobby. It’s not a divorce signal; it’s just Tuesday.
Why everyone thought it was over
- The Retirement Factor: After The Ellen DeGeneres Show ended, Ellen was home... a lot. Insiders claimed that having her around 24/7 was a massive adjustment for Portia, who had enjoyed her own space for nearly two decades.
- The Silence: They pulled back from the public eye. No red carpets, no paparazzi shots at the Ivy. In Hollywood math, "private" equals "separated."
- The UK "Exile": Critics argued the move was a desperate attempt to save a failing bond by changing the scenery.
Did Ellen DeGeneres Get Divorced? The Truth About Their Return to the US
Fast forward to right now—January 2026. If they were getting divorced, they probably wouldn't have just dropped $27.4 million on a new mansion in Montecito.
In November 2025, news broke that Ellen snapped up a property from producer Brian Grazer. It looks like the "permanent" move to England lasted about a year. Apparently, the charm of the Cotswolds wore off once the British winter hit. Sources say Portia missed her friends and Ellen missed the sun.
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They’re back. Or at least, they’re "bicoastal" on a global scale.
There is one genuine sticking point, though. It’s not a divorce, but it is a disagreement. Portia is reportedly looking to get back into acting. Specifically, there have been whispers about a role in HBO’s The White Lotus. Word is, Ellen isn't thrilled about the idea of Portia being away on a remote set for five months. It's the kind of normal, boring marital friction that happens when one person is retired and the other isn't ready to be.
How They Keep Winning (Despite the Tabloids)
Every few months, a "Portia Speaks Out" video or a "Heartbreak for Ellen" headline goes viral. Most of it is clickbait garbage. If you actually look at their verified accounts, it’s a different story.
On Portia’s birthday in early 2025, Ellen posted a selfie of them on a plane, grinning like teenagers. On their anniversary, they shared footage of their 2008 wedding. They’ve survived the 2020 scandal, the end of an era in television, and a literal international relocation.
They’ve been together for over 20 years. That’s about 150 years in Hollywood time.
The couple has navigated some incredibly rocky terrain. In her 2024 stand-up special, For Your Approval, Ellen was candid about how devastating the "mean" allegations were. She credited Portia with being her "rock." You don't usually divorce the person who pulled you out of a public mid-life crisis unless something truly catastrophic happens.
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What to Actually Watch For
If you’re looking for signs of trouble, don't look at real estate. Look at Portia's IMDb page.
If Portia de Rossi signs on for a major multi-month production and Ellen is nowhere to be found, that’s a shift in their dynamic. But right now? They are simply two very wealthy women trying to figure out if they want to raise chickens in England or flip houses in California.
Basically, the answer to did Ellen DeGeneres get divorced remains a hard no. They’ve proven to be one of the most resilient—if polarizing—couples in the industry.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Fact-Checkers
- Check the source: If the news is from a "YouTube Insider" with a robotic voice, ignore it.
- Follow the property: Ellen’s trust (managed by Harley J. Neuman) is the best way to see where they are actually living.
- Watch the returns: Their recent $27M Montecito purchase is the strongest evidence yet that they are staying a team, just shifting their home base back to familiar territory.
The rumor mill will keep spinning because "Happy Couple Stays Married" doesn't get clicks. But for now, the DeGeneres-de Rossi household is alive and well, just probably a bit jet-lagged.