When Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi got married in August 2008, they broke down barriers and their love story continues to motivate people.
The two first met in 2000 at a party, but it wasn’t until 2004 that they began developing deeper relationships. After VH1’s Big in ’04 awards, they began dating, which gave de Rossi the confidence she needed to come out as gay.
“I’ve had my years of not being open, many years,” she told the lawyer in August 2005, despite previously being linked to ex Francesca Gregorini. “It’s an honor for me to do this; it’s just nice to be asked.”
The Ally McBeal alum added: “I came across Ellen on a photoshoot about a year ago and she was breathtaking. That had never happened to me in my life, where I saw someone and [experienced] all those things you hear about in songs and read about in poetry. My knees were weak. It was amazing. And it was really hard for me to get her out of my mind after that… we were just supposed to be together… I just couldn’t ignore the feelings I had for Ellen.”
On the other hand, DeGeneres has often publicly displayed her affection for de Rossi.
“Portia understands me completely. In our vows she recited a quote, “It is good to be loved. It’s profound to be understood’ – and for me that’s all. What “I love you” really means is “I understand you,” and she loves me for all that I am,” the talk show host said. Good housekeeping in 2017. “She supports me and makes me happy.”
For her part, the Scandal alum routinely posts heartfelt reminders of her relationship.
In October 2019, de Rossi stumbled on Instagram with a photo of the couple on the red carpet, writing, “She always shows me the fun in things that I would generally take seriously… she always makes me laugh 😆.”
In July 2020, DeGeneres’ wife supported her when she was criticized for allegedly creating a horrible work atmosphere on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. The Australian native praised the couple’s supporters for their encouragement during the scandal in an “I Stand by Ellen” Instagram post in August 2020.
Check out the timeline of DeGeneres and de Rossi’s relationship by scrolling down:
Table of Contents
2000
De Rossi had not yet publicly revealed her sexuality when the two briefly met at a party.
2004
They met at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles and immediately began dating.
2005
In August 2005, De Rossi came out as gay and discussed how her relationship with DeGeneres had changed her outlook on life. “Just being a couple — being able to walk down a red carpet holding her hand, that’s exciting to me,” the model told the attorney. “I have so much respect for her. She was so brave and so loud in ’97, and now she’s doing something more subliminal. She’s changing the world, she really is, and it’s exciting to be a part of that.”
August 2008
They do. Shortly after same-sex marriage was ruled legal in California by the Supreme Court, DeGeneres and de Rossi got married.
November 2009
“I feel very happy,” DeGeneres said on a TV interview while talking about her marriage. “I feel really, really lucky to have found that connection.”
2010
Although the Scandal actress continued to use de Rossi professionally, she legally changed her name to Portia Lee James DeGeneres.
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September 2015
DeGeneres debunks divorce rumors. “I don’t know why they’re doing this,” she told Howard Stern. “We’re a little flattered. We’re really not close to breaking up, we’re not fighting, we’re madly in love and I think it’s boring.
January 2016
“We’re just really good friends and we talk about everything, and we never, ever lie to each other, not even the smallest of lies,” De Rossi told Entertainment Tonight. “And she’s the only one I want to hang out with. For example, she is my best friend and I just want to be with her all the time. She’s just so amazing! Who wouldn’t want to be with Ellen all the time?”
February 2018
In honor of DeGeneres’ 60th birthday, De Rossi gifted her with a gorilla sanctuary. “This gift had to be very special, and it had to represent who you are and what you really care about,” the loving wife told the Finding Dory star. “Not just now, but what you’ve always cared about. What influenced you and what made you the great person you are today.” DeGeneres called it “the best gift ever.”
May 2019
“She’s fantastic, she’s very, very funny,” the comedian told de Rossi’s David Letterman. “She makes me laugh, which is very important.”
August 2019
“Happy anniversary, Portia,” the comedian wrote via Instagram on the couple’s 11-year wedding anniversary. “My favorite song with my favorite person.”
September 2019
In September, the couple expanded their family by rescuing a puppy. The two named the curly-haired dog Mrs. Wallis Browning, and she was introduced on DeGeneres’ talk show.
July 2020
The couple mourned the loss of their pup Wolf, who was one of two of their dogs by their side during their 2008 wedding. “Last night we had to say goodbye to our dog Wolf. He has brought us so much love and joy. I hope we did the same for him,” the Finding Dory star wrote via Instagram.
August 2020
The Arrested Development actress supported her wife in August 2020 after DeGeneres faced criticism a month earlier over claims that The Ellen DeGeneres Show was a terrible place to work. “To all our fans… we see you,” de Rossi wrote via Instagram, alongside a photo that read “I Stand by Ellen” on a blue background. “Thanks for your support. #stopbotattacks #IStandWithEllenDeGeneres #IStandByEllen.”
February 2021
“Portia was born in Australia and I was born in New Orleans on Australia Day. I knew we were meant for each other’, DeGeneres joked via social media on the romantic holiday. “I love you, @PortiaDeRossi #HappyValentinesDay.”
Portia was born in Australia, and I was born in New Orleans on Australia Day. I knew we were meant to be together. I love you, @PortiaDeRossi #HappyValentinesDay pic.twitter.com/AZwm2xwAfk
— Ellen DeGeneres (@EllenDeGeneres) February 14, 2021
April 2021
The Australian showed up with cupcakes on The Ellen DeGeneres Show to celebrate the 3,000th episode of her wife’s talk show. “Congratulations on 3000 episodes, brilliant woman!de Rossi later wrote via Instagram.
August 2021
“13 years ago I married the love of my life. And it just gets better♥️🥂,” de Rossi wrote via Instagram on the couple’s anniversary. The talk show host also shared a love message to her wife via social media, writing, “Happy anniversary, Portia. I am the happiest girl in the world because I get to share my life with you.
May 2022
The Scandal alum sang her partner’s praises as DeGeneres ended her 19-year run on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. “To my extraordinarily beautiful, extraordinarily talented, insanely talented wife on the day of your last show… I married an icon. I married my idol,’ de Rossi wrote via Instagram. “I am so proud of you for making this platform one that entertains, inspires and uplifts people. @theellenshow this show will forever be remembered for raising awareness of the world. I love you.”
August 2022
DeGeneres shared a video montage of the couple’s craziest moments over the years in honor of their anniversary. “’It’s good to be loved. It is profound to be understood.’ I love you, @portiaderossi. Lucky 14! ❤️,” she captioned the Instagram clip.
November 2022
The former talk show host took to social media to commemorate their 18th wedding anniversary.
“Today we are 18 years old. I fall more in love with her every day. I am so thankful for her love.” DeGeneres wrote via Instagram alongside a sweet selfie of the couple during sunset.
