New legal developments and ongoing personal challenges appear to be accelerating Ellen DeGeneres’ potential return to the United States after her recent relocation to the United Kingdom.
DeGeneres and her wife, actor Portia de Rossi, moved overseas after Donald Trump’s election victory, seeking distance from the U.S. political climate. While a return had already been under consideration, a revived legal dispute stemming from a 2023 car crash is now adding urgency to those plans.
Court filings dated Dec. 15 show that the plaintiff in the case involving DeGeneres has requested a jury trial, even though only a bench trial has been scheduled so far. Mediation between the parties reportedly took place on Dec. 9, but DeGeneres has not yet been formally served due to her residence in the U.K. Officials have indicated that service will proceed under the Hague Convention.
The lawsuit traces back to an October 2023 traffic collision in Santa Barbara County. The plaintiff filed suit in September, alleging negligence and claiming she suffered serious injuries along with significant income and business losses. According to the complaint, the woman was driving a Tesla and had come to a complete stop at a marked intersection before proceeding. She alleges DeGeneres failed to stop at a sign and struck her vehicle.
These legal developments coincide with reports that DeGeneres, 67, and de Rossi are preparing to leave the Cotswolds. Harsh winter weather and a desire to reconnect with friends have reportedly influenced the decision, along with de Rossi’s interest in returning to acting. Sources suggest the couple plans to be in the U.S. for the holidays, with the stay potentially extending beyond that period, though no permanent timeline has been confirmed.
Housing logistics remain unresolved. Before relocating abroad, the couple sold their U.S. properties, including a Montecito mansion listed for $29.9 million in January and another home placed on the market for about $5 million in March.
Meanwhile, their former Cotswolds estate has yet to sell. Purchased last December for £15 million, the property suffered flooding after a nearby river overflowed during Storm Bert. The 43-acre estate was listed in July 2025 for £22.5 million but has not attracted buyers.
Amid these pressures, DeGeneres has also marked the loss of longtime fan Tayt Anderson, who passed away in September at 19 after a lifetime of serious heart conditions. His death adds a personal note to an already turbulent period as DeGeneres weighs her next steps.
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