Real-Life Celebrity Couple: Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi

Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi have been married for 11 years, and while it can be difficult to make a marriage work in Hollywood, these two make it look pretty darn easy.

Not only do they clearly love and respect one another, but they also both have very similar interests and support one another in their passions. From how the couple first met to their small wedding, find out more about this celebrity romance.

How Did Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi Meet?

DeGeneres and de Rossi first met at a party back in 2000. At the time, DeGeneres was open about her sexuality but de Rossi was not. Though nothing happened during their initial meeting, the pair reunited in 2004 at a photoshoot and then saw each other again at the VH1’s Big in ‘04 awards show. The rest is history!

Engaging News
After four years of dating, DeGeneres announced on her talk show that she and de Rossi were engaged to be married. This announcement also happened after the California Supreme Court overturned the ban on same-sex marriage in 2008.

Intimate Wedding
DeGeneres was originally going to surprise de Rossi with a private commitment ceremony during their joint birthday party, but she decided to change her plans. It was important for them to get legally married, as it was finally legal for them to do so. They tied the knot on August 16, 2008, in front of 19 friends and family at their home in Los Angeles.

Animal Lovers

The couple decided to not have children, but they do have a menagerie of animals. They have multiple cats and dogs, and they put a lot of their time and energy into taking care of their beloved pets. They also both adopted a vegan lifestyle, which they did because of their love of animals.

60th Birthday Gift
DeGeneres and de Rossi don’t exchange gifts often, as they both have everything they want, but de Rossi did give her wife an incredible present for her 60th birthday. She gave DeGeneres a permanent gorilla home in Rwanda built in her namesake. The home was for Digit Fund, which works to protect mountain gorillas, and it is now called the Ellen DeGeneres Wildlife Fund.