Ellen DeGeneres’ $5 Million U.S. Property Sale: Why She’s Leaving the U.S. Real Estate Market

Why did Ellen DeGeneres suddenly leave the U.S. real estate market? Was selling her $5 million beach house just the beginning? Why would a celebrity walk away from Hollywood and luxury homes? What’s the real reason behind her big move to the UK?

Ellen DeGeneres is not only a famous TV host but also known for flipping expensive homes. For years, she and her wife Portia de Rossi bought and sold luxury properties, making millions in the process.

But now, things are different. Ellen recently sold her Montecito beach house for $5.2 million — and quietly. This wasn’t just a simple sale, it marked something bigger: her final goodbye to U.S. real estate and possibly, to the life she once lived.

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2. Ellen’s Love for Real Estate

Ellen DeGeneres isn’t just known for her talk show—she’s also become a bit of a luxury real estate mogul. Along with her wife, Portia de Rossi, Ellen has flipped multiple properties over the years, and they’ve made quite a profit doing so.

Their approach to real estate is simple: buy a beautiful, unique property, renovate it, and then sell it at a much higher price. And it’s worked. Their success in real estate is one of the reasons Ellen has amassed an impressive fortune.

Ellen’s been very open about her love for designing and flipping homes, and it’s been a huge part of her financial success. Here are a few of the notable properties they’ve bought and sold over the years:

• Montecito Beach House – Purchased for $2.9 million in 2020, it was recently sold for $5.2 million.
• Beverly Hills Home – Once owned by Brad Pitt, Ellen bought it, made improvements, and then sold it for a profit.
• Santa Barbara Villa – A gorgeous property with stunning coastal views, sold for a tidy sum.
• Bel-Air Mansion – A $29 million property that’s still on the market, waiting for the right buyer.

Real estate has been both a business and a passion for Ellen. Every home she flips carries her signature style—elegant interiors, a touch of natural beauty, and a peaceful atmosphere.

3. The Final Goodbye: Selling Her Last U.S. Property

Ellen’s Montecito beach house was truly beautiful. It was located in a town in California, which is a favorite spot for celebrities. This house was the perfect combination of beachside privacy and luxury. Along with that, the ocean views and landscaping made it even more beautiful, creating a calm and peaceful atmosphere. With spacious interiors and open-plan living areas, this home was truly a peaceful retreat in itself.

Size, Location, Features

• Location: Montecito, California (a popular spot for celebrities)
• Size: Over 3,000 square feet
• Features: Ocean views, large windows, open-plan living, elegant design, outdoor space for entertaining, and a private pool.

Selling Process

Ellen and Portia purchased this property in 2020 for $2.9 million. Afterward, the husband and wife duo made some modifications to the property in their style. A few years later, they sold it for $5.2 million. The sale happened quite quickly, reflecting both the strength of the market and the high demand for real estate in Montecito.

Bought vs Sold

• Bought (2020): $2.9 million
• Sold (2023): $5.2 million

In this sale, they made a profit of over $2 million, highlighting how successful Ellen’s real estate investments have been.

4. Why Ellen Left the U.S. – Real Reasons

• Political Reasons: Ellen and Portia fled the U.S. after the victory of Trump in the elections of 2020 because many reports suggested that the political scenario then effected their decision. 
• Personal Reasons: Ellen wants to abscond from Hollywood post cancellation of The Ellen DeGeneres Show. The bad ending of the show may have paid off for her to start a new life in the UK. 
• Financial Reasons: The high taxes in California ($ 14.4 percent income tax, an extra 5.4 percent mansion tax on houses costing more than $10 million) made it expensive to live there. All of that added up to the surefire thing that Ellen would be leaving the country. The UK and Florida also provide more advantageous tax systems, with no state income tax in Florida, which could easily have worked as a motivating factor.

5. The UK Shift – A New Chapter

• Cotswolds Farmhouse Buy: Price & Particulars: Ellen and Portia bought themselves quite a pretty farmhouse in the Cotswolds, a picturesque region of the UK with charm and celebrity appeal. They presented around £15 million (around $19.4 million) for this most stunning property, which marked a huge turnaround in their lifestyle.
• Ellen and Portia go Country Living: Peace, calm, and tranquillity beckoned: The couple decided to turn their backs on the glamour-life of Hollywood. Their move to the Cotswolds is a nice blessing-a quiet, serene time spent simply gazing at nature. 
• Privacy, silence, and nature: The move to the country originated from a vague longing for more privacy and to get a break from the public eye. The Cotswolds are surrounded by a beautiful setting in nature so that they can relax and rejuvenate-certainly not putting up with the demands and pressures of their former Hollywood life in California.

6. What’s Left in the U.S.?

• Bel-Air Mansion Status: Ellen and Portia’s iconic Bel-Air mansion, valued at around $29 million, is still on the market. Despite being listed for over a year, it has yet to find a buyer. This property stands as one of their last remaining major holdings in the U.S.
• Other Real Estate Holdings: Besides the Bel-Air mansion, Ellen and Portia have been selling off most of their U.S. properties, including their Montecito beach house. The couple has strategically downsized their real estate portfolio as part of their decision to leave the U.S. and settle in the UK.
• What Happens if the Bel-Air Mansion Sells? If their Bel-Air mansion eventually sells, it will mark the final step in Ellen and Portia’s complete exit from the U.S. real estate market. This sale could give them additional funds for their new life in the UK, while further cementing their move away from the public life they once knew in California.

7. Ellen’s $500M Net Worth and Financial Moves

• Ellen’s Wealth: Ellen DeGeneres’ estimated net worth is around $500 million, earned through her long career in entertainment and real estate investments.
• Property Sales Impact: Selling properties like her Montecito beach house has added to her wealth. These sales show her savvy in real estate and will help her manage her finances in the UK.
• Renouncing U.S. Citizenship: If Ellen gives up her U.S. citizenship, she may lose certain benefits, but her financial position allows her to manage these changes. Renouncing could also help her avoid high taxes in California.

8. Conclusion

The entire shift from the U.S. to the U.K.: Ellen’s new adaptation to life in the U.K. is already deep in her very bones-a departure from her California roots, this time for a gentle and private life in the countryside with Portia.

Permanent Yet? With the last of Ellen’s U.S. properties sold and a new existence in the U.K., it looks like Ellen and Portia are saying goodbye to their American way of living, forever!

Ask the Readers: “If you were in Ellen’s shoes, would you take such a massive leap and leave everything behind for a new chapter?”