Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi are keen to see other countries as well as England whilst enjoying a hiatus from America – and they’re especially committed to keeping up their crusade to help apes and gorillas in the African country of Rwanda, a source exclusively spills to In Touch.
“Ellen and Portia get so much joy from helping animals, their sanctuary in Rwanda is such a peaceful and happy place for them,” the source shares. “Now that they’re living in the U.K., they can fly there in less than 10 hours. It’s made it so much easier to visit.”
The source says now that the former talk show host, 67, is “essentially retired,” the pair have “so much free time” and they’re able to really “devote themselves” to the project. This includes talk about a potential expansion or “setting up more sanctuaries” in the future.
“They both feel incredibly called to help all kinds of animals. The gorillas have had a special spot in their hearts, but if they could they’d help all the animals,” continues the source. “They have been taking meetings with various charities, some based in Africa and some in the U.K. and the states, to look at ways they can extend their reach and do even more good.”
“Ellen has enough money to last several lifetimes, and she wants to put it to use to make a positive difference,” the source adds.
Portia, 52, surprised her wife with the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund (DFGF) in Rwanda seven years ago, in celebration of her 60th birthday.
“Dian Fossey has always been a hero of mine, and so it’s been the honor of a lifetime to support this project,” Ellen said of the late conservationist. “To see my name alongside hers on the walls of this beautiful campus, and to know I’m doing my part to protect endangered gorillas and continue Dian’s legacy, is simply amazing.”
Their continued dive into conservation work comes after In Touch reported that the couple moved overseas in late 2024 because Ellen was “just done” with the United States and Portia was also ready to “turn the page” and begin a new chapter in their lives.
An additional insider told In Touch they “left behind millions of dollars in possessions and collections to make this move” and are “truly starting over in England.”
And that includes caring for a very noisy flock of chickens, according to tipsters.
“Ellen and Portia love them because they are cute, but they’re also wondering if having chickens as pets was such a good idea,” a separate source said at the time. “That’s why they’re giving away eggs and chickens – it’s become way too much for them.”
Despite the ups and downs of rural life, another source called the move a “fresh canvas for them to work on together” as they build their lives in the English countryside.
“It’s a chance to relive the greatest moments of their marriage – picking out linens and flooring and faucets, doing renovations, working with architects and decorators,” the source explained. “This is the stuff that they live for, not being famous or pleasing audiences.”
