UK Backlash and £30M Farm Troubles Push Ellen DeGeneres Back to the U.S.

Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi are preparing to leave their rural UK home in the Cotswolds and return to the United States far earlier than planned, just over a year after their move. What began as a bold escape from American politics has unraveled amid neighbor conflicts, isolation, and professional hurdles, prompting a swift reversal.

A Political Statement Turns Permanent—or So They Thought

The couple relocated to rural Oxfordshire in late 2024, shortly after Donald Trump’s re-election. They arrived in the UK the day before the vote and chose to stay upon learning the results, positioning the move as a retreat from U.S. politics. Initially purchasing Kitesbridge Farm, they soon upgraded to a larger hilltop estate featuring lakes and equestrian facilities, seeking a serene life away from Hollywood’s glare. Locals observed their efforts to integrate, including visits to village pubs and countryside walks.

Neighbor Disputes Erupt

Tensions arose with some residents over property modifications. Complaints focused on building works, including a single-story extension deemed a technical breach due to potential flood risks and proximity to Roman-era remains. Though officials resolved the matter, the episode reportedly shifted local sentiments against the pair. Insiders described DeGeneres feeling judged, with one noting residents never fully warmed to them, fostering a sense of unease.

Isolation and Boredom Take Hold

The expansive estate, once a haven for privacy, has become stifling. Sources portray the couple as restless in the quiet, rainy countryside, disconnected from their former vibrant world. Longtime Californians, they have grown weary of the persistent chill and dampness, dreading another gray winter after enduring cold seasons far removed from sunny Los Angeles.

Career and Social Life Suffer

DeGeneres’ attempts at a showbiz revival have faltered from afar. The eight-hour time difference complicates late-night calls with Los Angeles contacts, where Zoom meetings fall short of in-person deal-making. She misses her Hollywood network deeply, as few friends visit the remote village, shrinking their social circle. This follows reputational challenges from past workplace allegations on her former daytime show, which the UK move was meant to reset. Meanwhile, de Rossi struggles with adaptation, her days confined to walks or indoors, straining their 17-year marriage and prompting thoughts of resuming acting.

Pulling Back to California

Business demands add urgency, with DeGeneres’ real-estate portfolio harder to oversee overseas. The couple aims to salvage their careers and relationship by returning to Los Angeles as their main base, potentially retaining a UK property for occasional use. This U-turn abandons earlier pledges to remain abroad through Trump’s presidency, highlighting how the idealized rural idyll clashed with daily realities. For DeGeneres and de Rossi, the familiar pull of sun, friends, and industry access now outweighs the promise of British tranquility, raising questions about whether home can truly offer renewal amid lingering challenges.