An overview of the childhood and early education of Ellen DeGeneres, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.
Ellen DeGeneres is an American comedian, actress, television host, writer, and producer. She gained fame starring in the sitcom "Ellen" (1994–1998) and later hosted the talk show "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" (2003–2022), earning 33 Daytime Emmy Awards. DeGeneres has been a prominent figure in entertainment.
In 1925, Elliott Everett DeGeneres, Ellen's father, was born. He worked as an insurance agent.
In 1930, Elizabeth Jane "Betty" (née Pfeffer), Ellen's mother, was born. She worked as a speech therapist.
On January 26, 1958, Ellen Lee DeGeneres was born. She is an American comedian, actress, television host, writer, and producer.
In 1973, Ellen's parents filed for separation.
In April 1997, Ellen DeGeneres publicly came out as a lesbian on the cover of Time magazine with the headline "Yep, I'm Gay," a pivotal moment in her career and LGBTQ+ representation in media.
In April 1997, Ellen DeGeneres publicly came out as a lesbian on the cover of Time with the words, "Yep, I'm Gay" and became the first openly gay lead character on an American network television show.
In 1997, Ellen DeGeneres came out as a lesbian, sparking intense media interest and impacting her professional career. That same year she started a romantic relationship with actress Anne Heche.
In August 2000, Ellen DeGeneres's relationship with actress Anne Heche ended.
In 2004, Ellen DeGeneres began her relationship with actress Portia de Rossi.
In 2004, Ellen DeGeneres ended her relationship with photographer Alexandra Hedison. The couple appeared on the cover of The Advocate after their separation had already been announced.
In February 2006, Ellen DeGeneres celebrated her thirty-year class reunion by flying her graduating class to California to be guests on her show and surprising Atlanta High School with a new LED sign.
In August 2008, Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi were married at their home in Beverly Hills, California, after the overturn of the same-sex marriage ban in California.
On November 4, 2008, the passage of Proposition 8 in California cast doubt on the legal status of Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi's marriage.
On September 23, 2010, Portia de Rossi's legal petition to change her name to Portia Lee James DeGeneres was granted.
In 2011, Ellen DeGeneres attended a New Orleans Saints practice session dressed as Green Bay Packers Hall of Famer Don Hutson.
In 2012, The Ellen DeGeneres Show website promoted "Meatless Mondays" and featured vegan recipes in the section called "Going Vegan with Ellen".
In 2016, DeGeneres stated that she had re-introduced fish into her diet.
In November 2017, in response to President Donald Trump allowing elephant trophy imports, Ellen DeGeneres launched a campaign with her brand to donate to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.
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, part of the "Ellen DeGeneres Wildlife Fund".
In 2018, DeGeneres confirmed that she had stopped following a vegan lifestyle "in the last year or two for no reason really" in her stand-up comedy special Relatable.
In 2018, Elliott Everett DeGeneres, Ellen's father, passed away.
In November 2024, Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi relocated from Montecito, California, to the Cotswolds region of England. The move was reportedly due to the re-election of Donald Trump.