What Is The Name Of Ellen DeGeneres' Ex-Girlfriend? Exploring Her Past Relationships

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31 Jul, 2025

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For many years, Ellen DeGeneres has been a household name, known for her cheerful demeanor, her popular talk show, and, of course, her long-standing marriage to actress Portia de Rossi. Yet, before she found her enduring love with Portia, Ellen had a few significant relationships that shaped her personal journey. People often wonder about these earlier connections, particularly about the women she dated. It's a natural curiosity, you know, when someone is as much in the public eye as Ellen has been for so long.

Her path to becoming a celebrated figure, quite frankly, involved some very personal experiences, including her decision to come out publicly. This step, which happened in the late 1990s, really opened up her life in many ways, including her relationships. So, understanding who she dated before her marriage gives us a bit of a fuller picture of her life's story, which is actually quite interesting.

Today, we're going to take a closer look at these important relationships, focusing on the women who were a part of Ellen's life before she married Portia de Rossi. We will explore the timelines and the impact of these connections, especially as they've been spoken about over the years. This article, very much, aims to answer that burning question: What is the name of Ellen DeGeneres' ex-girlfriend?

Ellen DeGeneres: A Brief Look at Her Life
Ellen DeGeneres: Personal Details and Bio Data
Kat Perkoff: Ellen's First Real Love
Kathy R: A Friendship Turned Romance
Anne Heche: The Public Relationship After Coming Out
The Impact and Legacy of These Relationships
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Ellen DeGeneres: A Brief Look at Her Life

Ellen DeGeneres, born in Metairie, Louisiana, has had a career spanning several decades, starting in stand-up comedy before moving into television. Her unique style and relatable humor helped her gain a following. She, you know, pretty much broke ground in many ways, especially when she decided to share her truth with the world.

Her talk show, "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," became a huge success, running for many years and earning her numerous awards. Beyond her professional achievements, her personal life, particularly her relationships, has often been a topic of public interest. It's almost as if her openness about her identity paved the way for many others, which is a big deal, really.

Ellen DeGeneres: Personal Details and Bio Data

Detail	Information
Full Name	Ellen Lee DeGeneres
Date of Birth	January 26, 1958
Place of Birth	Metairie, Louisiana, U.S.
Occupation	Comedian, Television Host, Actress, Writer, Producer
Spouse	Portia de Rossi (m. 2008)
Notable Ex-Girlfriends	Kat Perkoff, Anne Heche

Kat Perkoff: Ellen's First Real Love

One of the earliest and most impactful relationships in Ellen DeGeneres' life was with Kat Perkoff. This connection began sometime in 1978 and lasted until 1980. Kat was, in Ellen's own words, her "first real love." They shared a life together, living under the same roof for a period, which is pretty significant, you know, for a young relationship.

However, their time together wasn't without its difficulties. Ellen has spoken about how they started having relationship issues, leading to Kat moving out. The split, Ellen explained to "Oprah's Master Class," was a tough experience for her, leaving her quite heartbroken. It's almost like a common story, really, of young love facing challenges.

Tragically, Kat Perkoff unexpectedly died in a car crash in 1980, not long after their breakup. This event had a profound effect on Ellen. From this very personal loss, Ellen created her now-famous "Phone Call to God" comedy routine. It's a powerful example of how she, you know, channeled deep emotion into her art, which is something many artists do, apparently.

The memory of Kat Perkoff, and the deep emotional connection they shared, has remained a part of Ellen's personal history. It's a testament to how first loves, even those that end in sorrow, can really shape a person's life and creative output, too.

Kathy R: A Friendship Turned Romance

During her time studying at the University of New Orleans, Ellen met someone named Kathy R. Initially, Kat and Ellen were close friends, sharing a bond that later developed into a romantic relationship. It's a scenario that, you know, often happens, where a strong friendship can blossom into something more intimate.

While the details about this particular relationship are not as widely publicized as others, it represents another step in Ellen's personal journey. It shows, very much, the different kinds of connections she formed before her life became so publicly scrutinized. This relationship, like any other, would have contributed to her growth and understanding of herself, which is actually quite important.

Anne Heche: The Public Relationship After Coming Out

Perhaps Ellen DeGeneres' most widely known ex-girlfriend is actress Anne Heche. Their relationship began in March 1997, shortly after Ellen made the courageous decision to come out publicly. This was a groundbreaking moment for Ellen, and her relationship with Anne became very much a symbol of openness in Hollywood at the time. It was, you know, quite a big deal for many people.

Ellen and Anne dated from 1997 to 2000, a period of about three years. Their relationship garnered significant media attention, as it was one of the most prominent same-sex relationships in the entertainment industry. They were a beloved couple for many, and their presence together helped pave the way for greater acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals in the public eye, too.

The couple eventually split amicably in 2000. Anne Heche, years later, spoke about her relationship with Ellen, even 20 years after their breakup, which is a long time, really. She, you know, offered her perspective on their time together, especially as Ellen was facing some controversy surrounding allegations of a "toxic" work environment at her show. This shows how, apparently, past relationships can still be relevant years later.

In a very sad turn of events, Anne Heche passed away at age 53 in August 2022 after being involved in a severe car accident. She had been in critical condition and was eventually taken off life support. Following the announcement of Anne's passing, Ellen DeGeneres paid tribute to her former girlfriend with a short but heartfelt message, expressing her condolences to Anne's family and loved ones. This, you know, really highlighted the lasting impact Anne had on Ellen's life, despite their breakup years ago. You can learn more about Anne Heche's life and career here.

The Impact and Legacy of These Relationships

Each of Ellen DeGeneres' past relationships played a role in shaping her as a person and as a public figure. From the profound loss of Kat Perkoff, which inspired her comedy, to the very public and pioneering relationship with Anne Heche, these connections are part of her story. They show, in a way, the evolution of her personal life alongside her professional ascent.

After her breakup with Anne Heche, Ellen started seeing actress Portia de Rossi. Their relationship blossomed, and nearly four years later, the beloved couple wed in their Los Angeles home in 2008. Portia and Ellen have been together ever since, becoming one of Hollywood's most enduring and visible same-sex couples. It's almost as if her earlier experiences, you know, prepared her for this lasting bond, which is a nice thought, really.

The public's interest in Ellen's past relationships, especially with Anne Heche, remains strong, particularly after Anne's recent passing. It's a reminder that celebrity lives, like anyone else's, are full of personal histories and connections that continue to resonate. We hope this look into Ellen DeGeneres' past girlfriends has, you know, offered some clarity and insight into her journey.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Was Anne Heche Ellen DeGeneres' first girlfriend?

No, Anne Heche was not Ellen DeGeneres' first girlfriend. According to information, Ellen dated Kat Perkoff from 1978 to 1980, which was before her relationship with Anne Heche. Anne Heche was Ellen's first girlfriend after Ellen came out publicly in the late 1990s, which is a key distinction, you know.

How long did Ellen DeGeneres and Anne Heche date?

Ellen DeGeneres and Anne Heche dated for about three years. Their relationship kicked off sometime in March 1997 and lasted until they amicably split in 2000. So, it was a significant period, really, for both of them.

Who is Ellen DeGeneres married to now?

Ellen DeGeneres is currently married to actress Portia de Rossi. They began seeing each other after Ellen's breakup with Anne Heche, and they got married in their Los Angeles home in 2008. They've been together ever since, which is pretty wonderful, you know.

Learn more about celebrity relationships on our site, and link to this page here for more insights into Ellen DeGeneres' life.