Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi may be preparing a quiet return to the West Coast after spending several years tucked away in the British countryside, according to new reports. The couple, who relocated to the Cotswolds following Donald Trump’s election victory, had previously suggested that their move overseas was permanent.
After selling off their extensive U.S. real estate holdings and settling into rural life across the Atlantic, the pair seemed committed to building a new chapter in the U.K. But sources now say they are considering a return to California—initially for the holidays, and potentially for a much longer stay.
Some insiders attribute their stateside visit simply to escaping the chilly British winter. Others suggest a more practical motivation: Portia de Rossi is reportedly eager to return to acting, a goal that is difficult to pursue while living hours away from Hollywood.
Their return, however, would require new accommodations. Having liquidated their American properties before moving abroad, the couple would either need to purchase another home or temporarily stay in a hotel or short-term rental.
According to the Daily Mail, the couple has begun to admit they “miss their friends,” marking a notable shift in attitude after years of insisting that life in the U.K. was more peaceful and fulfilling. DeGeneres had previously acknowledged that their move was partly political, telling friends she wanted no connection to the climate in the U.S. after Trump’s win.
One source told the outlet that DeGeneres had been resolute about remaining abroad while Trump was in office, but appears to have softened her stance. The insider said she has recently mentioned plans to return because they miss their social circle and have grown tired of the harsher winters.
Reports also suggest that de Rossi’s renewed interest in acting is adding urgency to the move. The couple is expected to spend the holidays in California and may extend their stay well into next year, if not beyond.
The shift contrasts sharply with their enthusiasm after relocating to a sprawling hilltop estate in Oxfordshire, purchased specifically to meet de Rossi’s passion for horses. At the time, DeGeneres emphasized that finding a home equipped with equestrian facilities had been essential to making their U.K. life permanent.
Now, however, their long-term plans appear uncertain. A source close to DeGeneres has stated that the upcoming trip is meant to be temporary, though they declined to specify how brief the stay might be.
Still, people familiar with the couple say DeGeneres has made it clear they expect to be back in California sooner rather than later. Warm weather, old friends, and the pull of familiar surroundings may be convincing them that the United States still feels like home.
For a couple who once vowed to remain abroad indefinitely, it seems the California sunshine—and the lure of a revived Hollywood connection—might be enough to inspire a full return.
