The Atlantic Ocean wasn’t enough to keep real estate maven Ellen DeGeneres away from her favorite California stomping grounds for long. Despite a highly publicized relocation to the English countryside just a year ago, the 67-year-old comedian and her wife, Portia de Rossi, 52, have quietly re-entered the Santa Barbara housing market with a significant $27.4 million investment.
The off-market transaction, which closed in late November, saw the couple acquire a secluded Montecito estate from famed Hollywood producer Brian Grazer. The deal was orchestrated through a trust overseen by DeGeneres’ longtime financial advisor, Harley J. Neuman—the same entity used for the couple’s previous record-breaking real estate ventures.
A Strategic Pivot or a Permanent Return?
This latest acquisition has set the rumor mill spinning regarding the couple’s long-term plans. DeGeneres and de Rossi originally fled to the Cotswolds in late 2024, citing a desire for a lifestyle change following the U.S. presidential election. At the time, DeGeneres praised the “polite” atmosphere and better treatment of animals in the U.K., even going as far as to gut-renovate a historic farmhouse to create a modern sanctuary.
However, their European residency has been a whirlwind of activity. After finishing a massive renovation on their first U.K. farm—a project that reportedly required 70 workers to complete in just 10 weeks—the pair quickly moved into a different, more modern glass-walled property better suited for de Rossi’s horses. Their initial U.K. home is currently listed for $30 million, approximately $10 million more than their purchase price.
The Grazer Estate: Privacy and Profit
The new Montecito compound offers the kind of ultra-privacy the couple has always favored. Hidden behind high hedges and a gated entry, the property spans three acres and features a sprawling main residence—completed in 2015—alongside two guest cottages.
The sale represents a massive windfall for Brian Grazer, who purchased the land and a previous structure for just $7.6 million back in 2012. While Grazer invested heavily in upgrading the site over the last 13 years, the $27.4 million price tag underlines the enduring premium of the Montecito enclave.
The Real Estate Virtuoso
DeGeneres’ return to California real estate follows her staggering $96 million sale of a Carpinteria estate in August 2024. That transaction solidified her status as one of the most successful property flippers in celebrity history. Even while residing abroad, she has continued her prolific streak, acquiring multiple properties in the U.K. while maintaining a strategic foothold in the U.S.
Whether this new Montecito home is intended as a seasonal vacation retreat or a sign of a more permanent U.S. homecoming remains to be seen. For now, the “eco-farmhouse” in the Cotswolds remains on the market, featuring 43 acres of rolling hills and contemporary rustic interiors, waiting for its next owner while Ellen turns her attention back to the sunny shores of Santa Barbara.