Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi's $30 million UK farmhouse flip raises eyebrows — lived there only a month

Ellen DeGeneres (67) and her wife Portia de Rossi (52) bought a historic stone farmhouse in the U.K. in June 2024 for $20 million. The farmhouse is called Kitesbridge Farm and is located in the posh countryside area of The Cotswolds, home to many celebrities.

Even though they spent just one month living there, they’re now listing it for $30 million — raising eyebrows online and in the media. Ellen said they are moving because Portia needed more space for her horses, which they had flown to the UK after deciding to settle there full time. Ellen explained, “Portia couldn’t live without her horses… We needed a home that had pastures and horse facilities”, as per the Wall Street Journal report.

ALSO READ: Foreign nationals trapped? Xi Jinping’s exit bans raise alarm over travel risks in China

When they bought Kitesbridge Farm, it was “tired” and needed work, said their listing agent Andrew Barnes. Ellen paid $3.3 million over the asking price just to secure it quickly. A massive team of about 70 workers was hired to finish the renovation in just 10 weeks, though contractors originally estimated 18 months.

Faced trouble with locals & council

Locals objected to Ellen’s extension plans. They feared it might increase flood risks or damage Roman remains nearby. Three councilors raised official objections in February 2024. Some neighbors also worried that her hedge and fencing could block drainage and lead to flooding, as per the New York Post.

But the West Oxfordshire District Council said the Roman remains were 200 meters away, and Ellen’s work was “high standard” and acceptable under planning laws, according to the Wall Street Journal report.

Reports later claimed the farmhouse had flooding issues — but Ellen denied it, and agent Barnes confirmed there’s never been flooding on the property. The home was described before as “an eco-farmhouse with rustic modern interiors.”

ALSO READ: Massive SharePoint breach, including US nuclear agency - Microsoft links attack to 3 China-backed hackers

New house is bigger, flashier

Ellen and Portia quickly bought a second estate, just 30 minutes away, with a Malibu-style, modern glass house on a hilltop. The new house is flood-safe, has 5 bedrooms, glass walls, a Japanese courtyard, and fields for horses. Portia’s horses now have room to roam, which was their top priority.

The old farmhouse they’re selling has 6 bedrooms, a party barn with its own pub, a pool, and a gym. It was originally built in the 1700s, offering old-world charm with luxury additions, according to the report by Wall Street Journal.

Why did they move to the U.K.?

Ellen revealed she and Portia moved to the UK full time after Donald Trump won the 2024 U.S. presidential election. “We got here the day before the election… woke up to crying emojis… and we were like, ‘We’re staying here.’” She confirmed, “We’re selling that [old] house… not the new one. It’s a beautiful stone farmhouse if anyone wants it.”

FAQs

Q1. Why did Ellen DeGeneres sell her UK farmhouse so quickly?
Ellen sold the farmhouse just a month after moving in because she and Portia needed a bigger home with space for their horses.

Q2. How much is Ellen DeGeneres asking for her UK farmhouse?
Ellen is listing the renovated Cotswolds farmhouse for $30 million after buying it for $20 million.