Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi's move to the UK has been ‘difficult' amid renovation
Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi have had a few bumps in the road to deal with as they settle into their new life in England, but a source exclusively tells In Touch that they're committed to making the most of their adventure and not letting any setbacks get them down.
'They knew going into this that it wasn't going to be totally smooth sailing, it was always going to be a challenge,' the source says of the U.K. move. 'Taking on a big renovation in a foreign country is not easy. But they're both very skilled at renovation. It's one of their passions.'
After decades of calling California home, Ellen, 67, and Portia, 52, quietly packed up in 2024 and moved more than 5,000 miles to a new 43-acre property nestled in Cotswolds, the heart of the British countryside about 90 minutes outside of London. The Cotswolds' celebrity residents include David and Victoria Beckham, Kate Moss and Simon Cowell.
Ellen and Portia sold their Carpinteria, California, estate — which they purchased for $70 million in 2022 — to Singapore-based tycoon Robert Friedland for a whopping $96 million.
Unfortunately, their new $15 million Cotswolds home was plagued with floods, resulting in expensive damage, and the couple has since moved to a new mansion which is about 30 minutes from their original property.
The source says the couple — who have been married since 2008 — have 'navigated plenty of hiccups' in the past with other projects, adding, 'So they weren't all that thrown off by the stumbling blocks they've faced in the U.K.'
'It's been difficult at times because they do miss the comfort of things back in America, but more than anything they're pleased to be embracing this new start,' the insider explains. 'They're getting to know the people around them and loving the property and the area. They take long walks in the woods every day, build roaring fires at night, all that stuff that's so typical of the English countryside. Ultimately, it is proving to be a very good move for their souls and for their marriage.'
The bumps in the road come after In Touch reported that the couple moved overseas in late 2024 because Ellen was 'just done' with the United States, while her wife was equally ready to 'turn the page' and begin a new chapter in their lives.
Ellen had gone into isolation over the years following reports that she was mean to her staff on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. In light of the scandal, the former host chose to end her long-running talk show in May 2021 after 19 seasons. She opened up in a rare comment about being canceled during her Ellen's Last Stand … Up tour stop at Radio City Music Hall in New York City before her move in August 2024.
During her set, Ellen recalled being dubbed the 'most hated person in America' after years of being the celebrity personality that fans 'most want to babysit' their children. She then recounted turning to professional help in light of the backlash and was advised to 'avoid all media.'
After she seemed to hit rock bottom, Ellen recalled how she eventually regained the strength to 'heal' when she started writing jokes again. She then credited getting out of the 'bubble in Hollywood' for helping her realize the 'amount of support' she was still receiving from her loved ones.
Copyright 2025 Us Weekly. All rights reserved.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Princess Charlotte and Princess Kate twin in coordinated looks for Trooping the Colour
Princess Charlotte and Princess Kate twin in coordinated looks for Trooping the Colour Show Caption Hide Caption Princess Kate rocks festive green outfit at St. Patrick's Day parade The Princess of Wales attended the Irish Guard's parade on St. Patrick's Day after skipping last year's event. Princess Kate and her daughter Princess Charlotte look more like twins at Trooping the Colour. At King Charles' annual royal birthday celebration on Saturday, June 14, the Princess of Wales, 43, and 10-year-old Charlotte coordinated in aqua colored looks. Kate sported a structured dress coat with her brown locks pulled under a chic wide-brimmed hat as Charlotte wore her hair in brands with an aqua colored dress, a few shades lighter than her mom's. The event is an annual ceremonial celebration and military parade commemorating the reigning British monarch's birthday, although King Charles III's actual birthdate falls on Nov. 14. Princess Kate turns heads in Jenny Packham dress amid return for Trooping the Colour event The royal affair also marks a solemn and bittersweet anniversary for Kate. Last year, she returned to royal life for Trooping the Colour, attended the event with her three children, after a five-month hiatus due to her cancer battle. This marks her first Trooping the Colour since Kate announced her cancer is in remission on Tuesday. Charlotte, who celebrated her birthday May 2, is the second child of Kate and 42-year-old Prince William, Charles' eldest son. She is third in line to the British throne, preceded by Prince George, 11, and William. Prince Louis, 7, is fourth in line. Contributing: Taijuan Moorman
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Romeo Beckham Shares How ‘Proud' He Is of Dad David Beckham amid Knighthood by King Charles
David Beckham was named for knighthood by King Charles on Friday, June 13 The English soccer star received the title as part of the King's birthday honors Beckham's second child, Romeo, celebrated his father's achievement with a sweet Instagram Stories postRomeo Beckham can't contain his pride for his dad David Beckham. The celebrated English soccer player, 50, was named for knighthood by King Charles on Friday, June 13. Later that day, Romeo posted an Instagram Stories photo of himself and his father smiling together in a blurry image. 'So so proud of you 🤍🤍🤍🤍,' the 22-year-old wrote. David later reposted the photo to his own Instagram Stories. The father shares four children with Victoria Beckham: sons Romeo, Brooklyn, 26, Cruz, 20 and daughter Harper, 13. David received the honor as part of the King's birthday honors. The athlete's knighthood recognizes his iconic sporting career and his lasting contributions to British society. With this honor, his wife now carries the title Lady Beckham. The knighthood comes after David was appointed an Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Queen Elizabeth in 2003. The former Manchester United player was put forward to receive a knighthood over 10 years ago, with a nomination in 2011, The Guardian reported. The soccer star was asked to be an ambassador for the King's Foundation in 2024. David also reposted Manchester United's Instagram tribute, on his Instagram Stories. The soccer team added a photo of David's signature No. 7 jersey, but rather than only reading his last name, it read, 'Sir David.' Throughout his lifetime, David has been celebrated as one of the greatest soccer players of his generation, after he launched his career with a record-breaking stint at Manchester United. There, he won the Premier League title six times over nine years. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The right-winger was the first English player to reach 100 Champions League appearances. He was the first English player to claim league titles in four different countries: England, Spain, France and the United States. He was also the captain of the English national team for six years. With his role as captain, he competed in three FIFA World Cups and two UEFA European Championships. The father of four was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2008, and the Premier League Hall of Fame in 2021. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
David Beckham, Gary Oldman, Elaine Paige and others honored by King Charles III
LONDON (AP) — Arise Sir David, Sir Gary and Sir Roger. And Dame Elaine, Dame Pat and Dame Penny. Former England soccer captain David Beckham, Oscar-winning actor Gary Oldman and The Who's frontman Roger Daltrey were knighted in King Charles III's birthday honors list released late Friday. Elaine Paige, the renowned musicals singer, Booker Prize-winning novelist Pat Barker and former Conservative government minister Penny Mordaunt were given damehoods, the female equivalent of a knighthood. The honors, which aim to reward individuals for their contributions to British life, are awarded twice a year to celebrities and public figures as well as ordinary people: Once at New Year's, and then in June to mark the king's birthday. The winners are chosen by civil servants' committees based on nominations from the government and the public. The awards are usually given out by the king or a senior royal acting in his place at Buckingham Palace. The Sirs Beckham, 50, was widely expected to be knighted following speculation last week that appeared to be based on a conversation he had with the monarch at the Chelsea Flower Show last month. As well as representing England 115 times, including 59 times as captain, Beckham played for some of Europe's most venerable clubs, most notably Manchester United and Real Madrid. He has been knighted for his services to sport and to charity, having partnered with UNICEF, the U.N.'s children's fund, for two decades and campaigned with a charity working to eradicate malaria. Beckham also played a pivotal role in London being awarded the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. 'Growing up in east London with parents and grandparents who were so patriotic and proud to be British, I never could have imagined I would receive such a truly humbling honor," he said. Oldman, 67, was recognized for his services to drama both on screen and on stage. He won an Oscar for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in the 2017 film 'Darkest Hour," and recently dazzled audiences in the Apple TV spy thriller series ' Slow Horses.' Daltrey, who co-founded The Who in 1964, has been recognized for services to charity as well as music, having been a patron of 'Teenage Cancer Trust' since 2000. The 81-year-old, who led the charity's concert series at Royal Albert Hall for more than two decades, said he was humbled by the award. 'It's a dream come true for me, but it's especially a dream because the charity means so much," he said. The Dames Paige, 77, was honoured for her services to charity as well as music. She has held senior roles at a charity supporting young people with acquired brain injury and another one that supports disabled tennis players. 'I've got all these different emotions coming at me all at once," she said. "I'm proud and I feel grateful and I'm thrilled and surprised, and so it's been quite a lot to take in.' Barker, 82, known for 'The Regeneration Trilogy," said she thought the letter announcing her damehood was from 'really angry' tax authorities. 'Nobody else does that kind of quality of paper," she said. 'I still sort of had to read the first paragraph several times before it sank in.' A year on from losing her seat at the general election when her Conservative Party lost office, Mordaunt said it was 'lovely to be appreciated in this way.' Mordaunt, 52, saw her profile boosted during the king's coronation ceremony in 2023. The former lawmaker made a memorable appearance bearing the 'sword of state," the first time the duty had been carried out by a woman. The 'Companion' Antony Gormley, the sculptor who was knighted in 2014, was made a 'Companion of Honour' for his services to art. The award is one of the most prestigious that the monarch can bestow to citizens in Britain and across the Commonwealth, as there are only 65 companions at any one time. Introduced in 1917 by King George V, the award recognizes people who have made 'a major contribution to the arts, science, medicine, or government lasting over a long period of time.' Current members include British environmentalist David Attenborough, Canadian author Margaret Atwood and one of Britain's greatest-ever athletes Sebastian Coe. Hundreds more are awarded The honors don't just reward people in the public eye. More than 1,200 people received honours in the latest list. Women made up 48% of those honored, with 11% of recipients from ethnic minority backgrounds. The oldest recipient was 106-year-old World War II veteran William Irwin, who was awarded a British Empire Medal, for his services to the community. The youngest was 11-year-old disability campaigner Carmela Chillery-Watson, who was made a 'Member of the Most Excellent Order British Empire," or MBE. Chillery-Watson, who has LMNA congenital muscular dystrophy, has become the youngest ever recipient of the award for helping raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for Muscular Dystrophy UK. In what is thought to be a first, three members of the same family were named in the same list. Jenna Speirs, her mother Caroline and father Duncan were each awarded a British Empire Medal for founding a children's cancer charity called Calum's Cabin after Jenna's twin brother died of an inoperable brain tumour aged 12. Campaigners who have fought to tackle the rise of knife crime were also recognized. Pooja Kanda, whose 16-year-old son was murdered with a ninja sword near his home, was awarded the Order of the British Empire, or OBE. Alison Madgin, the mother of 18-year-old Samantha Madgin, who was knifed to death, was made an MBE alongside her daughter Carly Barrett.
