Ellen DeGeneres arrived in England’s Cotswolds the day before the 2024 U.S. presidential election. Upon learning of Donald Trump’s victory, she and Portia de Rossi committed to staying, having already invested over $50 million in two rural estates as a form of permanent relocation.
Twelve months on, harsh British weather, repeated flooding, and profound isolation have prompted their reversal, turning the properties into financial burdens and exposing the challenges of celebrity exile.
The $20 Million Farm Acquisition
In June 2024, DeGeneres and de Rossi purchased Kitesbridge Farm for $20 million, then paid an additional $3.3 million premium to close the deal swiftly. The estate was in poor condition, with their Sotheby’s agent, Andrew Barnes, noting it was “quite tired, with a quite basic finish.”
DeGeneres mobilized 70 workers for an ambitious overhaul, compressing an 18-month project into five months at significant cost. By autumn, the property featured manicured grounds and restored structures, ready for high-end living.
Rapid Flip and Second Purchase
Five months after acquisition, they listed Kitesbridge Farm for $30 million—a 50% increase. One agent described the price as “an absolutely crazy price.” The move stemmed from de Rossi’s need for superior facilities for her rescued horses.
Nearby, 30 minutes away, they acquired a second property: a sleek, glass-walled contemporary mansion on a hillside, prioritizing modern design over traditional rural charm.
Local Pushback Emerges
Soon after, neighbors objected to expansion plans, warning of flood risks and water pooling from new hedges on adjacent fields. A parish council also flagged potential disruption to Roman archaeological sites.
DeGeneres’s team maintained the project posed no threats, and authorities granted approval. Still, the episode underscored the couple’s outsider status in the tight-knit community, straining relations.
Floods Signal Deeper Problems
In November 2024, Storm Bert caused the River Windrush to overflow, inundating nearby fields. DeGeneres posted on Instagram: “For those of you concerned, our U.K. farmhouse did NOT flood.” The house remained dry, but the surrounding vulnerability was clear.
By December 2025, after five months on the market, the $30 million listing had drawn no serious bids. Flood documentation, steep pricing, and remoteness deterred buyers, rendering the asset difficult to offload.
Isolation and Career Pull Intensify
November 2025 brought Storm Claudia, submerging the farm’s fields once more in stagnant water—the second major flood in a year. At a July 2025 Cheltenham event, DeGeneres confessed onstage, “I want to have fun, I want to do something. I do like my chickens, but I’m a little bit bored.”
De Rossi, who paused acting in 2018 to support her wife’s ventures, grew restless 5,000 miles from Hollywood. Insiders noted her desire to resume performing, tired of rural routines. The second property, dubbed a “concrete and glass monstrosity” by local businessman Steve Loftus, clashed with Cotswolds heritage, amplifying tensions.
Relentless winters, absent friends, and a constricting village life eroded their resolve. By late November 2025, sources indicated plans for an extended Los Angeles stay over the holidays, signaling a full retreat. Ambition outweighed ideology: DeGeneres eyed sitcoms and production deals, while de Rossi sought acting roles in an industry hub.
The venture tallied around $52 million in costs, including overpayments, renovations, and the unsold, flood-prone Kitesbridge Farm at nearly $32 million invested. What began as principled escape now appears a costly miscalculation, highlighting how celebrity relocations grapple with unforeseen environmental, social, and professional realities. The Cotswolds properties linger as markers of that unfulfilled chapter, with broader questions on sustainability for high-profile moves amid climate shifts and personal priorities.
Sources:
Ellen DeGeneres: I moved to the UK because of Donald Trump — BBC News
Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi Are Putting Their U.K. Farm on the Market for $30 Million — The Wall Street Journal
Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi Are Selling U.K. Farmhouse for $30M — Realtor.com
Ellen DeGeneres’ $30Million Home in English Countryside Ravaged Again by Floods — AOL/RadarOnline
Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi’s $30M Cotswold Home Surrounded by Floodwater Again — Yahoo Entertainment