Since marrying last August, Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi have enjoyed nothing less than a seemingly blissful union. Portia described her life as Ellen’s wife a few months ago, talking about the contentment she felt, and even talking about how Ellen’s mom calls Portia her “daughter-in-law”. Now it’s Ellen’s turn to talk about marriage… and babies. In a new interview with AOL Television (story via People), Ellen talks up marriage, but seems to definitively rule out becoming a parent. She says that she and Portia have talked about it, and they have decided they like their life as-is, with their animals and their niece:
Don’t expect Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi to become moms anytime soon.
Although the couple told PEOPLE last August that they talk about having kids, they have decided that they are happier being cool aunts.
“I don’t think we’re going to have kids,” DeGeneres tells AOL Television. “We have animals, and we love them. And, you know, we are brand new aunts. Her brother and his wife just had a baby girl who’s a month old now, and it’s fun to be a part of that.”
After tying the knot last summer, DeGeneres told PEOPLE, “It’s something we would never take lightly and just say, ‘That would be fun.’ It’s a lot of work and we recognize that. In a way, we want to be selfish because we love our life, but we know how much that adds to it.”
DeGeneres, 51, and de Rossi, 36, who have crusading for gay marriage, have since decided to focus on their relationship rather than have children. “It’s just a huge responsibility, and I don’t know that that’s something we want to take on,” DeGeneres says. “We’re very happily married without children.”
[From People]
I totally respect Ellen or anyone else who comes right out and says that they don’t feel the need to be a parent. Cameron Diaz said something like this recently, and Sandra Bullock also spoke out about how she didn’t feel the need to have biological children. All too often, I think society subtly or not-so-subtly “punishes” women who have made the decision not to become mothers. That being said, I really wonder if Portia really feels the same way as Ellen. Portia is fifteen years younger than Ellen, and her biological clock might be on a different wavelength. I really hope Portia isn’t saying “no” to kids just because Ellen isn’t interested… but maybe I’m reading too much into it. Perhaps after Portia gave motherhood deeper consideration, she just decided she prefers the fur-babies too.
Ellen and Portia are shown out on 4/18/09. Credit: WENN.com
I like them and wish more stars would be honest and open like them but what’s going on with Portia’s face why do she look so old now. Ellen’s face look younger than hers.
My husband and I are both firm in not wanting kids and people cannot accept that. Friends, my parents, my doctor… it’s ridiculous. Neither of us have any desire to have one and we really don’t get why people do want them but whatever. I’ve been called selfish and not a real woman.
Portia doesn’t look old in that picture, what are you talking about?
Its all good!
Letty–Ellen has been using that new Covergirl-Olay make up! >rolls eyes<
people can never accept that not everyone wants kids and that is why it actually becomes news. and even in this story the writer doesn’t seem to accept it and questions if they believe it. i don’t want kids either.
@ persistent : I know how you feel. I want kids (2 at most), but not for about 6 or 7 years. But some people will just NOT have that. It’s ridiculous.
i’m watching Anderson Cooper on Ellen,
he is soo cute
@ ash – I’m sorry, but how can you possibly know how someone who doesn’t want kids feels if you DO want kids? (Even if not right now). Hon, that makes NO sense, lol!
@Persistant Cat – I too, am a child-free by choice – and I also don’t really get why people want kids, but like you said, whatever.
I have lots of experience working with kids and I enjoy them, but I’ve never wanted that personal responsibility. And I get validation on a daily basis – everyday I see mothers with children who make me grateful to be child-free! Heck, some of my friends make me grateful I don’t have kids! Maybe that’s kind of a mean thing to say, but it’s true! They just seem so tied down and burdened, while I’m enjoying my freedom. It’s a lifestyle choice thing.
Viva Portia and Ellen and their happy life together!
I hear ya Tia C and Persistent Cat. My husband and I don’t want kids either and when we tell people that, you should hear some of comments we get. We’ll change our mind, children are a blessing, my husband’s not a real man, something must be wrong with me physically, (there isn’t) we’re being selfish, blah, blah, blah. I’ve got two nephews and one niece who I love. I loved helping take care of them when I’m needed as a babysitter but my husband and I like our lives just fine the way it is.
Are you kidding me,Celebitchy? This post is like about 100 posted previously…
Every time a celeb says something like this,you post a thread that is written as though it’s the FIRST TIME this topic has been brought up….
‘It seems like society thinks women are meant to have kids’….blah blah blah.
It’s hilarious. Seriously. Stop. Doing. This.
This conversation has been done. And done.
And then you get all these posts about how we don’t need more children. Overpopulation. Abuse.
Goddddddddddddddddd!!!!
We get it.
And I’m fine with it. Really.
Some women don’t want kids.
And it’s really okay.
Post the story and then put a different spin on it,please!!!!
I love kids and have one of my own. By choice.
And I’m perfectly fine with women who don’t.
People who don’t want children sometimes act like it’s their cross to bear.
Like,what would you do if noone really gave a sh*t that you don’t want kids?
Cuz their are millions of people out there who really don’t care. It’s the few who post to get a rise out of you that you take to task. EVERY TIME.
Boooooooooring.
Oh yea,and inevitably,there will be a post or two virtually condemning women who do choose children. ‘breeders’,I think is the term?
OFFENDING others as a defense is so rude. And ineffective in supporting your argument. Many intelligent,educated women choose to have children.
Live and let live,people.
And celebitchy,please mix it up a little. Thanks.
I had a conversation with a woman the other day who was adamant that she didn’t want any more children (she has two already). She said that her doctor refused to tie her tubes because “she might change her mind later.” This woman is 33; I think she’s able to make that decision for herself and not have her doctor patronizing her.
I see it as the same sort of phenomenon: a woman, by virtue of having a uterus, must want to use it. If she doesn’t, just give her time “to come to her senses”. It’s an attitude I don’t understand. For those that want to have babies, have at it. Not everyone needs children in order to feel content or full in their lives.
Ok, rant over. 🙂
“People who don’t want children sometimes act like it’s their cross to bear.”
we do? really? well, maybe its because we get tired of people having a problem with it and telling us how we should live our lives. and for someone who is “ok” with our choice, you certainly are hostile. also, i know lots of parents who complain about their kids constantly – the kids are the reason they have no money, no time, no sex and are sleep deprived…maybe they should stop complaining about their “crosses to bear”, huh?
@Because I say so…My mother had that identical conversation with her doctor. She already had 2 kids, didn’t want anymore, and wanted to get her tubes tied. The doctor refused, because she might change her mind. But that was in the early ’70s! I’m disgusted that women are still dealing with that.
Ellen looks amazing for 51..Portia looks older than her and she’s years younger. I think that kids are not right for every marrriage..they seem happy, they look happy, and probably are happy..so don’t knock it.