Ellen Goes Off-Grid

Ellen DeGeneres is living a very different kind of life these days — and by the looks of it, she’s not missing Hollywood one bit.

Since stepping away from the spotlight in 2022, the former daytime TV host has settled into a quieter, slower pace in the UK’s picturesque Cotswolds. Far from red carpets and celebrity interviews, DeGeneres, 67, has been sharing occasional glimpses of her new life — often centered around nature, animals, and the simple joys of rural living.

In a recent Instagram post, she gave fans a rare update: a serene moment capturing her wife, actress Portia de Rossi, snapping a photo of a rainbow arcing over their countryside home. “Three things that make me happy: my wife, a rainbow, and my wife taking a photograph of a rainbow,” DeGeneres wrote, drawing warm reactions from her 136 million followers.

While she remains relatively quiet on social media, occasionally promoting her skincare line, Kind Science, Ellen’s updates now feature more chickens than celebrity cameos. Earlier this month, she introduced her newest additions: a flock of chickens she and Portia recently adopted. Her caption joked about their shy nature, calling them “a bit chicken,” but promising to keep fans posted on their progress.

Despite the idyllic setting, life in the English countryside hasn’t been without controversy. In February, local reports revealed that DeGeneres had come under scrutiny for renovations to her £15 million farmhouse. A single-storey extension raised concerns among residents about potential flooding and disruption of Roman-era remains buried nearby. A spokesperson for DeGeneres defended the construction, stating that all work was done to a “high standard” and well away from any historic artifacts.

Still, it’s clear Ellen is embracing her new chapter — even if it’s far removed from the fast-paced world she left behind in Montecito, California. Known for once living among A-list neighbors like Oprah Winfrey and Prince Harry, she’s now in celebrity-rich but low-key company, with neighbors like Kate Moss, Taylor Swift, and Patrick Stewart.

For someone whose name was once synonymous with high-energy dance segments and viral interviews, Ellen’s newfound tranquility might come as a surprise. But with rainbows, chickens, and the occasional village pub visit, she seems perfectly content to let the spotlight fade — for now.