5 Shocking New Moves Ellen DeGeneres Has Made Since Leaving Her Talk Show (2025 Updates)

Ellen DeGeneres, the comedian and former daytime talk show titan, has made some of the most surprising and dramatic career and personal life pivots since the curtain closed on *The Ellen DeGeneres Show* in 2022. As of late 2024 and into 2025, her life has been a whirlwind of international moves, a 'final' comedy special, and a major new representation deal that signals a powerful, yet controversial, career comeback.

The latest updates, current as of December 2025, reveal a celebrity attempting to navigate a post-talk show landscape, addressing past controversies head-on in her comedy, and making bold lifestyle decisions that have kept her firmly in the headlines. Her recent move to the UK and the subsequent reports of a planned return to California are just the tip of the iceberg in her rapidly evolving narrative.

Ellen DeGeneres: Full Biography and Profile

• Full Name: Ellen Lee DeGeneres
• Date of Birth: January 26, 1958
• Age (as of Dec 2025): 67 Years Old
• Place of Birth: Metairie, Louisiana, U.S.
• Parents: Elliot Everett DeGeneres and Elizabeth 'Betty' Jane Pfeffer
• Spouse: Portia de Rossi (m. 2008)
• Occupation: Comedian, Television Host, Actress, Writer, Producer
• Known For: Stand-up comedy, *Ellen* (sitcom, 1994–1998), *The Ellen DeGeneres Show* (2003–2022), Voice of Dory in *Finding Nemo* and *Finding Dory*, Hosting the Academy Awards
• Major Awards: Over 30 Daytime Emmy Awards, Presidential Medal of Freedom (2016), People's Choice Awards
• Estimated Net Worth (2025): $450 Million – $500 Million

1. The Post-Election Move: Fleeing the US for the UK Countryside

One of the most talked-about decisions Ellen DeGeneres made in late 2024 was her abrupt relocation from California to the United Kingdom, alongside her wife, actress Portia de Rossi. This move was not a quiet sabbatical; it was reportedly a direct reaction to the results of the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election.

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DeGeneres revealed that she made the decision the day after the election, choosing to leave her properties in the US. The couple began showing off their new, quieter country life in the UK, a stark contrast to their high-profile celebrity existence in Los Angeles.

However, the move was not without its complications. Recent reports in 2025 suggest the couple faced a "disastrous year abroad," with "major obstacles" halting their complete transition. By late 2025, there were circulating reports that DeGeneres and de Rossi were planning to return to California, indicating that their British countryside experiment may be coming to an end sooner than anticipated.

2. The 'Final' Reckoning: Her New Stand-Up Special, *For Your Approval*

The most significant professional move DeGeneres made was her return to stand-up comedy, culminating in her second Netflix special, *Ellen DeGeneres: For Your Approval*, which premiered globally on September 24, 2024.

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Billed as her last-ever stand-up special, *For Your Approval* was a highly anticipated and controversial project. Unlike her previous work, this special directly tackled the public scandal that led to the end of *The Ellen DeGeneres Show*.

Addressing the 'Toxic Workplace' Controversy

The special served as DeGeneres's public reckoning with the allegations of a "toxic workplace" that plagued her talk show, including claims of bullying, racism, and sexual harassment from top producers. The comedian used the stage to address the criticism she faced for not being the "Be Kind" persona she projected on television.

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In her comedy, DeGeneres reportedly found solace in discussing her massive wealth and the public's perception of her, making the special a raw, yet polarizing, capstone to her comedy career. This move to confront her critics through her art is a bold pivot from the light-hearted tone of her daytime show era.

3. Signing with WME: The Major Career Comeback Signal

Despite claiming her stand-up special was her "final" one, DeGeneres made a significant move in the summer of 2024 that strongly indicates a broader career comeback is underway: she signed with the powerful talent agency, William Morris Endeavor (WME).

This signing is a major development, as WME represents some of the biggest names in entertainment. Securing new representation suggests that DeGeneres is actively pursuing new projects beyond her talk show and stand-up career. Industry insiders speculate this could lead to new television deals, production ventures, or even a return to acting, a career she began in the 1980s.

The Power of the Brand

Even with the controversies surrounding her, DeGeneres remains a massive entity in entertainment. Her long-running show earned her 33 Daytime Emmy Awards, and her voice role as Dory in the Disney/Pixar films is iconic. Her estimated net worth of around $450 million in 2025 is a testament to the enduring financial power of the "Ellen" brand, which she is now poised to leverage in new formats.

4. The Enduring Real Estate Empire and Philanthropy

Even while moving abroad, DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi have continued their well-known passion for high-end real estate, often buying, renovating, and selling luxury homes in the Montecito and Santa Barbara areas. While the details of their current holdings are fluid due to the reported UK move and planned return, their activity in this sector is a constant source of media buzz.

Alongside their business ventures, the couple remains committed to philanthropy, particularly through The Ellen DeGeneres Wildlife Fund, which focuses on global conservation efforts. Their charitable work, a consistent thread throughout her career, continues to be an important part of her public image and legacy, reinforcing the "Be Kind" message she championed for years.

5. The Unprecedented Legacy of The Ellen DeGeneres Show

Although the show ended in 2022, the legacy of *The Ellen DeGeneres Show* continues to influence daytime television. The show ran for 19 seasons and was a cultural phenomenon, redefining the talk show format with its blend of comedy, celebrity interviews, and philanthropic segments.

The decision to end the show came in the wake of the 2020 workplace scandal, but its impact on pop culture—especially as a platform for LGBTQ+ visibility following DeGeneres's groundbreaking 1997 coming out on her sitcom *Ellen*—is undeniable. The show's 33 Emmy wins and its massive viewership cemented DeGeneres as one of the most successful television hosts in history, a milestone that no new project can entirely overshadow.

As Ellen DeGeneres enters 2025, she is clearly in a new chapter, defined by a willingness to address her past while aggressively planning her future. Her 'final' stand-up special and her new agency deal suggest that while she may be leaving the US temporarily, she is far from leaving the spotlight.