Childhood and Education Journey of Ellen DeGeneres in Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Ellen DeGeneres, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

Ellen DeGeneres is an American former comedian, actress, television host, writer, and producer. She gained prominence in the 1990s with her sitcom "Ellen," known for its groundbreaking coming-out episode. From 2003 to 2022, she hosted the widely popular daytime talk show, "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," which was known for its comedic segments, celebrity interviews, and charitable giveaways. The show received numerous Emmy Awards. While celebrated for her contributions to entertainment and LGBTQ+ visibility, DeGeneres's career has also faced controversy, particularly allegations of a toxic workplace environment on her talk show.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1925: Birth of Elliott Everett DeGeneres

In 1925, Elliott Everett DeGeneres, Ellen's father, was born.

1930: Birth of Elizabeth Jane

In 1930, Elizabeth Jane "Betty" (née Pfeffer), Ellen DeGeneres' mother, was born.

January 26, 1958: Ellen DeGeneres is born

On January 26, 1958, Ellen Lee DeGeneres was born. She is an American former comedian, actress, television host, writer, and producer.

1973: Parents File for Separation

In 1973, Ellen DeGeneres's parents filed for separation.

May 1976: Graduates from Atlanta High School

In May 1976, Ellen DeGeneres graduated from Atlanta High School.

April 1997: Ellen Comes Out on Time Magazine

In April 1997, Ellen DeGeneres came out as a lesbian on the cover of Time magazine, and her sitcom character also came out of the closet on "The Oprah Winfrey Show".

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April 1997: Publicly Comes Out as Lesbian

In April 1997, Ellen DeGeneres publicly came out as a lesbian on the cover of Time magazine with the headline "Yep, I'm gay" and became the first openly gay lead character on an American network television show.

1997: DeGeneres Comes Out as Lesbian

In 1997, Ellen DeGeneres publicly came out as a lesbian. This disclosure led to intense media interest, stunted her professional career, and caused her to be "mired in depression".

1997: Death of Roy Gruessendorf

Roy Gruessendorf, Ellen DeGeneres' stepfather who molested her, died in 1997.

August 2000: Relationship with Anne Heche Ends

In August 2000, Ellen DeGeneres's romantic relationship with actress Anne Heche, which began in 1997, came to an end.

2004: Relationship with Alexandra Hedison ends

In 2004, Ellen DeGeneres's relationship with photographer Alexandra Hedison ended. The couple had appeared on the cover of The Advocate after their separation had already been announced to the media.

2004: Began relationship with Portia de Rossi

Since 2004, Ellen DeGeneres has been in a relationship with actress Portia de Rossi.

February 2006: Class Reunion on Her Show

In February 2006, Ellen DeGeneres celebrated her thirty-year class reunion by flying her graduating class to California and presented Atlanta High School with a new LED sign.

August 2008: Marriage to Portia de Rossi

In August 2008, Ellen DeGeneres married actress Portia de Rossi at their home in Beverly Hills, California, following the overturn of the same-sex marriage ban in California.

November 4, 2008: Proposition 8 Casts Doubt on Marriage

On November 4, 2008, the passage of Proposition 8 in California raised questions about the legal status of Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi's marriage.

2009: PETA's Woman of the Year

In 2009, Ellen DeGeneres was named "Woman of the Year" by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) for her advocacy.

September 23, 2010: De Rossi Granted Name Change

On September 23, 2010, Portia de Rossi's legal petition to change her name to Portia Lee James DeGeneres was granted.

2010: Farm Sanctuary's Adopt-A-Turkey Project Ambassador

In 2010, Ellen DeGeneres served as campaign ambassador to Farm Sanctuary's Adopt-A-Turkey Project. She encouraged people to start a new tradition of adopting a turkey instead of eating one at Thanksgiving.

November 2011: Special Envoy for Global AIDS Awareness

In November 2011, Hillary Clinton, the Secretary of State, appointed Ellen DeGeneres as a special envoy for Global AIDS Awareness.

December 3, 2011: Headlined "Change Begins Within" Gala

On December 3, 2011, Ellen DeGeneres headlined the third annual "Change Begins Within" gala for the David Lynch Foundation, held at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

2011: Attended Saints Practice Session

In 2011, Ellen DeGeneres attended a New Orleans Saints practice session dressed as Green Bay Packers Hall of Famer Don Hutson.

2012: Vegan Outreach Website

In 2012, the website for The Ellen DeGeneres Show contained a section called "Going Vegan with Ellen", in which Ellen DeGeneres promoted "Meatless Mondays" and featured vegan recipes.

April 2013: Donation to Stop Anti-Whistleblower Legislation

In April 2013, Ellen DeGeneres donated $25,000 to stop anti-whistleblower agricultural gag legislation in Tennessee. This legislation would have prohibited undercover investigators from recording footage of animal abuse on farms.

2016: Re-introduced Fish into Diet

In 2016, Ellen DeGeneres stated that she had re-introduced fish into her diet, no longer adhering to a vegan lifestyle.

November 2017: Elephant Trophy Importation Response

In November 2017, after President Donald Trump announced the allowance of elephant trophy importation from Africa, Ellen DeGeneres partnered with her brand, ED Ellen DeGeneres, to launch a hashtag campaign and donate to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. She also created a T-shirt, with proceeds going to the organization.

January 2018: Gorilla Home Gift in Rwanda

In January 2018, for Ellen DeGeneres's 60th birthday, Portia de Rossi gifted her a permanent gorilla home in Rwanda, built in her name for the Digit Fund, as part of the "Ellen DeGeneres Wildlife Fund".

2018: Confirmed Stopped Vegan Lifestyle

In her 2018 stand-up comedy special Relatable, Ellen DeGeneres confirmed that she had stopped following a vegan lifestyle "in the last year or two for no reason really".

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May 12, 2021: DeGeneres Announces End of Talk Show

On May 12, 2021, Ellen DeGeneres announced that she would conclude her talk show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, after its nineteenth season in 2022.

May 26, 2022: Final Episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show Aired

On May 26, 2022, The Ellen DeGeneres Show aired its final episode. The episode featured Jennifer Aniston, Pink, and Billie Eilish as guests, with Portia de Rossi and other family members in the audience.

July 2024: DeGeneres Reflects on Show Business Exit

In July 2024, Ellen DeGeneres reflected on the controversies surrounding her talk show, stating that she felt she "got kicked out of show business for being mean." She also indicated that she would leave show business for good after completing existing contractual obligations.

August 2024: Property Sale in Carpinteria

In August 2024, Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi sold a property in Carpinteria, California, for $96 million.

November 2024: Relocation to the Cotswolds

In November 2024, Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi relocated from their home in Montecito, California, to the Cotswolds region of England, reportedly due to Donald Trump's re-election as president.