Ellen DeGeneres Permanently Moves to the UK: Trump’s 2024 Election Was the Turning Point
Ellen DeGeneres has fully embraced her new life in England, sharing charming glimpses on social media—from sheep grazing near her luxurious rural estate to moments mowing her sprawling lawn. Her natural, undyed hair symbolizes a fresh chapter far from her Hollywood past.
On Sunday, Ellen opened up for the first time about what prompted her permanent move across the Atlantic: the 2024 election of President Donald Trump.
“We arrived the day before the election,” she revealed to a Cheltenham audience at the Everyman Theatre. “We woke up to texts filled with crying emojis from friends. I thought, ‘He got in.’ Then we said, ‘We’re staying here.’”
From Weekend Retreat to Forever Home
After her talk show ended amid allegations of workplace bullying, Ellen, 67, and her wife, actress Portia de Rossi, 52, purchased a home in England’s idyllic Cotswolds. Known for honey-hued stone cottages, rolling green hills, and quaint villages, the region has long been a favorite getaway for celebrities like David and Victoria Beckham and Simon Cowell.
What started as a part-time escape soon became permanent. When asked if Trump’s election sealed the decision, Ellen’s answer was a decisive “Yes.” The Everyman Theatre later confirmed her statement.
“Everything here is just better,” she said, lamenting the growing division she sees back home. “I wish we lived in a society where everyone could accept people for who they are. Until then, it’s hard to say we’ve made huge progress.”
Fighting for LGBTQ+ Rights—and New Plans
Ellen also voiced strong concerns about the Southern Baptist Convention’s efforts to ban same-sex marriage and possibly overturn its nationwide legalization.
“They’re trying to stop it—and maybe even reverse it,” she warned. “Portia and I are already exploring options. If that happens, we’ll get married here.”
Reflections on ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’
Touching on the end of her long-running talk show—which ran for 19 seasons and won over 60 Emmys but closed amid staff complaints about a toxic environment—Ellen was candid.
“I’m a direct person, very blunt,” she said. “Sometimes that means I’m mean.”
Mark Goucher, CEO of the Everyman Theatre, called meeting Ellen a “huge privilege” and warmly welcomed her as a new neighbor.
Why Many Americans Are Looking Abroad
Ellen’s move is part of a growing trend of Americans seeking refuge from the country’s polarized political climate. Following the 2024 election, Google searches about moving abroad surged, with a recent poll revealing that 17% of Americans want to leave the US within five years—citing toxicity and dissatisfaction. Canada topped their list of preferred destinations.
President Trump famously said in 2019, “If you’re not happy, you can leave.”
Is the UK the Perfect Escape?
While Ellen enjoys the tranquility of the English countryside, data show the UK’s quality of life isn’t dramatically better overall. According to the OECD’s Better Life Index, the US ranks 10th and the UK 14th out of 40 countries—measuring housing, income, life satisfaction, community, and work-life balance.
Despite praised universal healthcare and lower gun violence, the UK has its own challenges.
Ellen DeGeneres’ move underscores the deep cultural and political divides in America, showing how shifts at the top can profoundly reshape individual lives. For now, she’s found peace—and a new beginning—in the rolling hills of the Cotswolds.