For years, Ellen DeGeneres has been cracking jokes about why she and her wife, Portia de Rossi, haven’t started a family together. Remember when she quipped on "Today," “It's too risky—what if I don’t like the kid?” But in a surprisingly heartfelt moment, Ellen opened up about the topic with Jerry Seinfeld during a recent episode of his Netflix series, Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. It was a candid conversation that shed light on their personal choices and how they’ve navigated this chapter of their relationship.
“When I was younger, I really wanted to have a baby—I thought I would adopt,” Ellen, now 60, revealed to Jerry, a father of three with his wife, Jessica Seinfeld. “I never thought I’d have a biological child, but I definitely thought I’d want kids someday.” She went on to explain, “Portia doesn’t want kids. That’s just where she stands.” It’s a decision they’ve come to terms with as a couple, respecting each other’s feelings and boundaries.
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Ellen Keeps It Real About Parenting
True to form, Ellen didn’t shy away from her signature humor when discussing the topic further. “Portia doesn’t like the squealing when kids are in a pool,” she joked. “That high-pitched squealing of joy? She can’t stand it. But she loves horses—and wants more of them—which I don’t exactly share her enthusiasm for.” It’s clear that both Ellen and Portia prioritize their mutual understanding and respect above all else.
While Ellen often jokes about not wanting kids, fans still hold out hope that the power couple might change their minds. After all, Ellen and Portia have been a rock-solid team since tying the knot in 2008. “Portia understands me completely,” Ellen once gushed to Good Housekeeping. “In our vows, she recited a quote: ‘It is good to be loved. It is profound to be understood’—and that resonates deeply with me. She supports me and makes me incredibly happy.”
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A Birthday Gift That Stole the Show
Not only do Ellen and Portia make an unstoppable duo, but this past year, Portia celebrated Ellen’s 60th birthday in the most thoughtful way imaginable. On February 1, the former actress surprised her wife during an episode of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" with a truly unforgettable gift. “It’s your 60th birthday, and this gift had to be really special,” Portia explained. “It had to represent who you are and what you care about—not just now, but what you’ve always cared about.”
As a video tribute to Ellen’s hero, the late American primatologist and conservationist Dian Fossey, played on-screen, Portia revealed her plan. “For your birthday, Ellen, I am bringing you and your hero, Dian, together by building The Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund,” she announced. Ellen was visibly moved, breaking down in tears as she thanked her wife for the most meaningful birthday present ever. If that’s not love, then we don’t know what is!
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