Ellen DeGeneres, the former daytime talk show icon and one of Hollywood’s most recognizable personalities, has made a dramatic decision—she’s leaving the United States for good. After years in the spotlight, countless controversies, and a long, successful career, Ellen has officially sold her luxurious Montecito estate and relocated to the English countrysideHer decision to leave America has shocked both fans and critics. Some wonder whether this marks the end of her public life, while others speculate that she’s preparing for an entirely new chapter. So, why did Ellen make such a drastic move, and what does her future hold?
Why Ellen DeGeneres Left the United States
Ellen’s departure from the U.S. isn’t just about finding a new home—it’s a deliberate choice to break away from the pressures of fame, controversy, and the changing cultural landscape. She has openly stated, “I will not return to the United States,” citing a desire for peace and a fresh start.
For years, Hollywood had been both a playground and a battlefield for her. She built an empire through comedy and television but also faced significant backlash, especially in recent years. America, she claims, no longer feels like home. The increasing social and political tensions, coupled with her own public struggles, pushed her to seek solace elsewhere.
By moving to England, Ellen is making more than a geographical shift. She’s turning the page on a life shaped by celebrity culture and constant public scrutiny.
From Montecito to the English Countryside
Selling her sprawling Montecito estate was a major move. The property, worth $46 million, was nothing short of spectacular. It featured breathtaking ocean views, modern architecture, and every luxury one could imagine. Yet, despite its beauty, it no longer represented the life Ellen wanted.
Her new home in the English countryside offers the exact opposite—a quiet retreat away from cameras and red carpets. She and her wife, Portia de Rossi, have chosen a historic 18th-century estate nestled in the Cotswolds, known for its charming villages, rolling green hills, and serene landscapes.
For Ellen, the appeal of this region is its simplicity. She has often spoken about her love for nature, animals, and privacy. In England, she can finally enjoy all of those things without the pressures of Hollywood breathing down her neck.
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Tesla owners offloading their cars over Elon Musk backlash are in for a nasty surprise
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Some Tesla owners are considering selling their cars as backlash against Elon Musk and DOGE grows.
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They may have to take a serious haircut, with prices for used Teslas plummeting in recent years.
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The average price of a pre-owned Tesla is now $30,000, nearly $10,000 less than a non-Tesla EV.
Tesla owners selling up amid backlash against Elon Musk should be prepared to take a big loss.
Tesla resale values have collapsed in recent years, with the average price of a used Tesla now $10,000 less than that of a non-Tesla electric car, according to data from the dealership website CarGurus.
Used Tesla prices have been in freefall since 2022, dropping from a high of more than $70,000 to hit $30,000 in February, per CarGurus data. In the shorter term, prices have dropped about 10% since August, when the average Tesla resale price was more than $33,000.
The cheapest new Tesla on sale in 2025 is the Model 3, which costs more than $40,000 after estimated taxes and fees, according to Tesla’s website.
Fresh evidence of falling resale prices has come as CEO Elon Musk’s cost-cutting efforts at the White House DOGE office have sparked a backlash against the billionaire’s car company, with some owners vowing to get rid of their cars as Tesla showrooms and vehicles become targets for protests and vandalism.
The singer Sheryl Crow said last month that she was selling her Tesla and donating the proceeds to NPR in a protest against Musk.
The angel investor Joanne Wilson, meanwhile, told Business Insider she was ditching her Model S and floated the idea of letting members of the public smash it with hammers.
Scott Oran, a real estate developer who lives near Boston, told BI he decided to sell his Model 3 after Musk’s political moves left him “embarrassed” to be seen driving it.
Oran said he wanted to sell his Tesla as quickly as possible, adding that he was concerned that the number of Tesla owners flocking to sell their cars and the high-profile vandalism cases could see the resale value drop even further.
“I think, unfortunately, through Elon Musk’s actions, he’s probably irrevocably damaged the Tesla brand,” Oran said.
Lackluster resale values have been a headache for Tesla owners for a while. The Tesla owner and investor Ross Gerber told BI he was struggling to sell his car at anything like fair market value last July.
Used EVs have become more affordable as a growing number of new electric models have hit the market.
Teslas are now by far the most common vehicle on the used electric market, per CarGurus’ data. The rental giant Hertz listed more than 30,000 Tesla vehicles from its fleet for sale last year.
Kevin Roberts, director of economic and market intelligence for CarGurus, told BI: “Tesla has been the dominant EV brand on the new vehicle market for years, which means there’s going to be a lot more of them on the used market.”
Demand for used Teslas has also been hit by price reductions on new vehicles in a bid to drive sales, Roberts said, adding that used EV prices were probably “close to a floor” after years of falls.
Tesla’s share price has plummeted in recent months, dropping more than 50% since December, having surged in the weeks after Donald Trump’s election victory. On Monday alone, the stock dropped 15%, cutting Musk’s net worth by $29 billion in a single day.
With sales falling in Europe and China, the automaker is gearing up to introduce more affordable models this summer and is also planning to launch a robotaxi service in Austin in June.
Tesla didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment from BI.