Ellen DeGeneres marked her 68th birthday with a notably quiet and reflective moment, choosing gratitude and love over any kind of flashy celebration. As global and national events weighed heavily on the mood, the longtime TV host acknowledged that this year’s milestone felt different.
On Monday, DeGeneres shared an intimate selfie on Instagram with her wife, Portia de Rossi. In the photo, DeGeneres wears a green sweater and wraps her arm around de Rossi, 52, capturing a calm and deeply personal moment. Rather than focusing on birthday festivities, the image reflected the emotional tension of celebrating personal joy while remaining aware of the world beyond it.
“It’s a challenging day to feel celebratory,” DeGeneres wrote in the caption. “I’m mindful of the world’s events while cherishing what I’m grateful for. My wife. And cookies.”
The post quickly resonated with followers, drawing supportive messages from fans and fellow celebrities alike. Podcaster Jay Shetty commented that she deserved to be celebrated, while HGTV star Nate Berkus responded with red heart emojis, echoing the warmth many felt toward her message.
DeGeneres’ subdued birthday comes amid an unusually public stretch of political engagement for the comedian, who has generally kept her activism low-key. In recent weeks, she has used her platform to call attention to deadly encounters involving federal officers in Minneapolis.
Just days before her birthday, she shared a video honoring ICU nurse Alex Pretti, who was fatally shot by federal officers. Earlier in the month, she also addressed the death of Renée Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother of three who was killed during an encounter with an ICE agent. Speaking directly to the camera, DeGeneres expressed sorrow for the victims and support for peaceful protestors, saying her thoughts were with everyone affected.
She also revealed a personal tie to Minneapolis, explaining that it was the city she chose for her final stand-up special because of its reputation as one of the happiest cities in America. Watching events unfold there, she said, has been especially heartbreaking.
The birthday reflection arrives during a transitional chapter in DeGeneres’ life. She and de Rossi, who turns 53 on January 31, have been splitting their time between the United States and the United Kingdom. In June 2024, the couple purchased a historic farmhouse in the Cotswolds and relocated there following the 2024 US presidential election.
Despite the shifts in geography and public tone, DeGeneres’ bond with de Rossi appears as strong as ever. Last year, she celebrated her wife as brilliant, beautiful, and adventurous, a sentiment quietly echoed in this year’s stripped-down birthday message centered on love, gratitude, and togetherness.
