Ellen DeGeneres Celebrates Her 68th Birthday with Portia de Rossi Amid a Thoughtful Political Statement

Ellen Degeneres (top left) and Portia De Rossi.
Credit:

Ellen Degeneres/Instagram

NEED TO KNOW

• Ellen DeGeneres is commemorating her 68th birthday on Instagram.
• The former daytime TV host shared a snap with wife Portia de Rossi, admitting it was “a tough day to feel like celebrating a birthday.”
• DeGeneres has notably addressed the recent killings of Renee Nicole Good and ICU nurse Alex Pretti.

Ellen DeGeneres recently turned 68, sharing her birthday message with fans on Instagram. In a heartfelt post, she included a selfie with her wife, Portia de Rossi.

In her birthday post, DeGeneres candidly reflected, stating it was “a tough day to feel like celebrating a birthday.” She added, “I’m holding space for what’s happening in our world and holding close what I’m grateful for, like my wife. And cookies.”

The selfie depicts DeGeneres in a green sweater with her arm around de Rossi, 52, who is seen enjoying a cookie. The post attracted warm birthday wishes from various notable figures, including podcaster Jay Shetty, who commented, “Happy Birthday. You deserve to be celebrated 🙏🙏🙏.” HGTV star Nate Berkus also shared his love with four heart emojis.

Ellen DeGeneres poses for a photo in Paris, France on Sept. 4, 2025.

Darren Gerrish/Getty

DeGeneres’ birthday marks a poignant moment following her recent public statements on critical social issues. Just days before, she shared a video honoring Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse tragically shot and killed by federal officers in Minneapolis on January 24.

In the video, DeGeneres introduced Pretti, showcasing his dedication to his patients at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center, where he paid tribute to one in December 2024.

Additionally, a week earlier, DeGeneres acknowledged the shooting of Renee Nicole Good by ICE agents on January 7. In her heartfelt message, she expressed her sorrow for the ongoing violence in Minneapolis and beyond, stating: “So my thoughts and my prayers are going out to everyone. I’m proud of everyone who’s protesting peacefully, and I am sorry for anyone who has been hurt just for protesting, for doing what you should be doing.”

Coincidentally, DeGeneres celebrates her birthday just a few days before de Rossi’s upcoming 53rd birthday on January 31. Last year, DeGeneres celebrated her wife’s birthday, praising her as “brilliant, beautiful, hilarious, adventurous” in a social media tribute.