Ellen DeGeneres and her wife, actress Portia de Rossi, are settling into a quieter life in the English countryside following a move that surprised many of their fans.
After former President Donald Trump won a second term in office, the couple made the decision to leave the United States and start a new chapter abroad. Their destination? The Cotswolds, a picturesque region in south-central England known for its rolling hills, charming stone villages and quintessentially British landscapes.
Though the move marks a significant lifestyle change from their former base in Montecito, California, the couple appear to be embracing rural life with humor and enthusiasm — sharing glimpses of their day-to-day activities with fans via social media.
In a video posted to Instagram on May 7, DeGeneres is seen wearing jeans and a T-shirt while trimming hedges outside their countryside property. “Ow, these are sharp even through the gloves,” she remarks, brushing off the minor discomfort as she continues working.
The footage, lighthearted and candid, also features de Rossi using a trimmer to tidy up another bush. “Good job, baby,” DeGeneres calls out in encouragement before transitioning to a different task — feeding the chickens in their garden.
One of the chickens, affectionately named Linda, is seen running toward them, prompting a burst of laughter from the couple. The post gives fans a clear picture of their new lifestyle — part gardening, part animal care, and entirely removed from the bright lights of Hollywood.
“Some people have a dream of becoming a farmer,” the caption reads. “Clearly, our dream was to become a landscape maintenance crew with a little farming on the side.”
It’s not the only slice of rural life the pair have shared in recent days. In another video posted to Instagram, DeGeneres is seen operating a lawnmower — or attempting to. The machine stalls at one point and needs a helpful push from a nearby farmhand. The moment, like others they’ve shared, is filled with humor and humility, underscoring their willingness to embrace the less glamorous aspects of country living.
Their transition to life in the Cotswolds has not been without challenges. Earlier this year, local reports indicated some friction with neighbors over proposed renovations to their property. In February, British tabloid The Daily Mail reported that the couple were considering selling the home due to disagreements with local planning authorities about a single-story extension.
They have since relocated to a different property in the same region, according to the publication. Although no official statement has been made regarding the change, it appears the couple is content with their new home.
DeGeneres, 66, has gradually stepped back from the public spotlight following the end of her daytime talk show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, which concluded in 2022 after 19 seasons. The final years of the program were marred by controversy, including allegations of a toxic workplace culture. Since then, DeGeneres has adopted a noticeably lower profile.
However, she returned to the screen in late 2024 with a Netflix special titled Ellen DeGeneres: For Your Approval. The stand-up special marked her first major release since the end of her talk show and was seen by some critics as an attempt to reintroduce herself to audiences on her own terms.
Despite her retreat from Hollywood, DeGeneres has not entirely left her previous life behind. In March, she listed one of her last remaining properties in Montecito for sale. The ocean-view estate, once part of her extensive real estate portfolio, was put on the market for $5 million, or approximately £3.9 million.
In April, she posted a scenic view from her new home in the Cotswolds, reinforcing that she and de Rossi, 51, are fully embracing their new lifestyle across the pond. With vast green fields and a slower pace of life, the area offers the couple a welcome reprieve from the demands of celebrity.
Though they are known for their careers in entertainment, the videos and updates shared by DeGeneres and de Rossi suggest they are content trading red carpets for garden shears — at least for now.
Their fans, many of whom have followed their journey for decades, have expressed both surprise and support for the couple’s bold relocation. While the move may have been politically motivated, it’s clear that their decision is now rooted in a deeper desire for simplicity, privacy and peace.
As their adventures in the English countryside continue, DeGeneres and de Rossi seem more than willing to let go of the limelight — one hedge at a time.
