Ellen DeGeneres Makes a Surprising Return to Montecito Following Her Move to England and Statement About Leaving the U.S. After Trump’s Win

Ellen DeGeneres, known for her talk show and bold public persona, made a surprising return to the U.S. just months after moving to rural England.

Back in November, she and her wife, Portia de Rossi, decided to leave the hustle of Los Angeles behind and embrace a quieter life in the Cotswolds.

Despite their recent move across the pond, it seems that the couple’s roots in the U.S. still run deep, particularly in Montecito, California.

This January, new photos from DailyMail.com captured DeGeneres visiting the upscale retirement community, Casa Dorinda, in Montecito.

A Visit to Casa Dorinda

Dressed in a casual gray sweater, blue jeans, and sneakers, DeGeneres was spotted entering the community’s visitor parking and walking into a resident building.

Although it’s unclear who she was visiting, it’s possible her mother-in-law, Margaret Rogers, might have moved there, especially since she sold her Westlake Village townhome in 2020.

Portia de Rossi was not seen with DeGeneres during the visit, but the couple’s continued ties to Montecito are evident.

Life in the Cotswolds

While Montecito remains important to DeGeneres and de Rossi, they’re now calling the Cotswolds home.

The couple purchased a multimillion-pound farmhouse in this idyllic, rural part of England, about 100 miles from London.

They reportedly fell in love with the property’s picturesque setting, which includes acres of rolling countryside, a swimming pool, and even a helicopter pad.

The pair was so eager to secure their dream home that they offered £2.5 million (around $3 million) over the asking price.

The Cotswolds: A Celebrity Haven

The Cotswolds has long been a haven for the rich and famous.

Notable figures like David and Victoria Beckham, Kate Moss, and Patrick Stewart have properties there.

Even royalty, including King Charles, owns Highgrove House in Gloucestershire.

It’s no surprise that DeGeneres and de Rossi were drawn to the area.

Other celebrities, such as Hugh Grant and Kate Winslet, have had properties in the region at one point or another, further cementing its status as a celebrity enclave.

The Couple’s New Home

DeGeneres and de Rossi’s new home is a converted farmhouse that blends old-world charm with modern luxury.

Though the property was transformed into a state-of-the-art residence more than 15 years ago, it still retains many of its original features, including barns connected to the main building by glass walkways.

A Flooded Setback

In a bit of bad luck, the couple’s 43-acre property was nearly submerged during a flood caused by Storm Bert.

Fortunately, DeGeneres took to Instagram to assure fans that their farmhouse did not suffer any damage.

She shared a heartfelt selfie with her wife, marking 20 years together, and put to rest concerns about their property’s safety.

A Fresh Start

DeGeneres and de Rossi’s move to the U.K. followed DeGeneres’s disillusionment with the U.S. after Donald Trump’s election win.

Sources close to the couple claimed they were eager to leave the U.S. behind, and while many celebrities had voiced similar sentiments, DeGeneres and de Rossi were among the few who actually followed through.

Apart from the political climate, DeGeneres had her own reasons for wanting a fresh start—her daytime talk show ended in 2022 amid accusations of creating a toxic work environment.

The Montecito Mansion

Despite their move abroad, the couple hasn’t fully closed the door on their American properties.

DeGeneres and de Rossi reportedly listed their Bali-inspired mansion in Montecito for sale, or are considering doing so soon.

The mansion, purchased in 2019 for a hefty $27 million, includes five bedrooms, 10 bathrooms, and 8,188 square feet of space with luxurious features like bamboo ceilings and distressed oak floors.

What’s Next for Ellen and Portia?

Though DeGeneres and de Rossi have settled into their new life in England, it remains to be seen what the future holds for them.

Will they keep their ties to California or continue to embrace their rural retreat in the U.K.? Only time will tell.