Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi: A Love Story Timeline

Inside Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi's enduring relationship: Complete timeline here!  

Ellen DeGeneres's decades-long surge to become a legendary comedian cum talk show host has been nothing but spectacular. The Emmy-winning comic started her journey as a stand-up comedian in the 80s and quickly landed the title of Showtime's "funniest person in America."  

DeGeneres's life took a surprise turn in 1997 when she famously came out as gay on the cover of Time magazine, making the time a pivotal moment in Hollywood history. The comedian has since been an imposing figure in the LGBTQ community. Ellen has been blessed in life's two most crucial departments- career and love. The comedian-turned-host and her partner, Portia de Rossi, have been married for over a decade.  

The Complete Timeline of Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi's Relationship!  

DeGeneres has never been the one to keep things away from her fans. Whether it's her steep journey to acclaim, turbulent past, or marital life, the Emmy winner has always bared it all. Fans had access to additional anecdotes and insight into Ellen's life with Portia when her eponymous show was still on air.   

But since concluding her final episode last year, following a slew of allegations of toxic workplace and controversies, we haven't heard much of the Hollywood power couple. Ellen and Portia's love story deserves a sweet rom-com flick of its own, as the duo's journey has been nothing but a blissful and adventurous ride.  

Ellen first met Portia at a Rock the Vote concert in 2001. A spark was lit between the two at the immediate moment, as they'll recall it years later, but since Portia had yet to come out of the closet, in fear of ruining her career, the pair had no choice but to wait as life takes its course.   

When the two ran into each other again in 2004, Ellen and Portia were in committed relationships with other people. The duo decided to start their relationship on the right foot and confronted their then-respective partners before kick-starting their romance.  

One month into their dating bliss, the couple made it official by attending a Golden Globe Awards after-party in January 2005. "My feelings for her overrode all of my fear about being out as a lesbian," Portia gushed shortly after going public with the comedian. The two knew they were the perfect fit for each other from the get-go and dished on it several times.   

The couple shares their secrets to a healthy relationship!  

"If it were legal, we would be married, but it's not legal," said the Ellen DeGeneres Show host as she elucidated the plight of the gay community. The loved-up couple wasted no time when the California Supreme Court overturned the ban on same-sex marriage in 2008.  

Ellen and Portia announced their engagement in May 2008, followed by a prompt wedding on August 16, 2008, in an intimate ceremony at their home. The couple has since only grown stronger as a team. In September 2010, Portia even took Ellen's last name as a gesture of her unwavering love for the comedian.   

"The truth is, and this is corny, I fall more in love with Portia all the time," Ellen explained when rumors mills were busy churning stories of their alleged breakup in 2015. Like any other straight Hollywood power couple, the duo has also shared their secret to keep a marriage going.  

As per the Emmy winner, consistently putting their marriage above their careers and being grateful top the list. The pair's very public relationship also includes the spouses making big sweet gestures for each other, like when de Rossi gifted DeGeneres a gorilla sanctuary for her 60th birthday.   

Throughout their decade-long relationship, the couple had navigated many bumps, including when Ellen was embattled amid the workplace controversy in 2020. The comedian later credited Portia for getting her through the hard period.  

The Emmy-winning comedian recently commemorated 19 years of togetherness with Portia on her Instagram and, on the occasion, answered some of their fans' queries about their enduring marriage. "Don't lie, ever. About anything," Portia says as she reads out a fan's question about the "most important tip for a healthy relationship.  

Get to Know Ellen DeGeneres's Wife, Portia de Rossi!  

It's true that Portia is mainly known as the wife of the pioneering female comedian, whose career has been a crucial archetype in the Hollywood landscape. Although Portia takes much pride in being referred to as the wife of Ellen DeGeneres and certainly doesn't mind living under her overbearing fame, she is a star in her own right.   

Best known for starring in the legal-comedy drama Ally McBeal, de Rossi boasts a host of credits in her profile, making her a stellar star. Her notable work includes Arrested Development, Better Off Ted, Nip/Tuck, and Scandal. Portia is also an ardent philanthropist and contributes to various charitable organizations.  

Before embarking on her life-long journey with Ellen, de Rossi was in a relationship with director Francesca Gregorini. As for the comedian, she was dating photographer Alexandra Hedison when Portia was with Francesca. Ellen's dating history also includes the late actress Anne Heche, who tragically died after a crash in 2022.  

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