Ellen DeGeneres opened up about her health in her 2024 Netflix comedy special, For Your Approval, revealing that she has been diagnosed with three conditions affecting both her physical and mental well-being.
Once celebrated as an LGBTQ+ icon, Ellen ruled daytime talk shows with her quick wit, charm, and star-studded guest lineup.
The Ellen DeGeneres Show aired for nearly 20 years, earning 171 Emmy nominations and leaving a lasting mark on television.
By the mid-2010s, however, the rise of cancel culture and intense public scrutiny began to take a toll. What was once a beloved career quickly unraveled, leaving DeGeneres facing backlash and a sharp decline in popularity. Today, she remains a polarizing figure — no longer the unshakable talk show queen she once was, but still remembered for her groundbreaking impact and remarkable career.
In recent years, Ellen, who moved to the UK after Donald Trump’s re-election, has focused largely on her health.
Osteoporosis: Feeling “like a human sandcastle”
DeGeneres first learned she had osteoporosis, a condition that weakens bones and makes them more prone to fractures, after a bone density test.
“I don’t even know how I’m standing up right now. I’m like a human sandcastle. I could disintegrate in the shower,” she joked.
She recalled experiencing sudden, “excruciating pain” and initially feared she had torn a ligament. Early scans suggested arthritis, but further testing confirmed osteoporosis. Reflecting on aging, she added:
“It’s hard to be honest about aging and seem cool.”
As if osteoporosis weren’t enough, Ellen also revealed she was diagnosed with arthritis.
“I had excruciating pain one day and thought I tore a ligament or something. I got an MRI, and they said, ‘No, it’s just arthritis.’ I asked, ‘How did I get that?’ He said, ‘Oh, it just happens at your age,’” she explained.
“It’s hard to be honest about aging and seem cool,” she admitted.
OCD: Organized, but compulsive
Alongside her physical health challenges, DeGeneres shared insights into her mental health. Therapy revealed she has OCD, which causes compulsive behaviors and intense focus on certain tasks.
“I was in therapy for a while trying to deal with all the hatred coming at me,” she said. “It wasn’t a common situation for a therapist to deal with.”
“I may have OCD because a therapist said so, and I said, ‘Yes, I’m very organized,’ thinking that was all it meant. I didn’t know what OCD really was,” she admitted. She traced some tendencies to her upbringing:
“I was raised in Christian Science, which doesn’t acknowledge diseases or disorders. Growing up, nobody talked about anything.”
She also believes her father showed similar behaviors:
“He would check the doorknob 15 times before we left, check the faucet 15 times, unplug all appliances because lightning could strike. They say it could be hereditary.”
ADHD: Struggle to focus
DeGeneres also revealed she has ADHD, affecting focus, impulse control, and attention span.
“So, I have ADD, I have OCD, I’m losing my memory,” she said.
“But I think I’m well-adjusted because I obsess on things, but I don’t have the attention span to stick with it, and I quickly forget what I was obsessing about. It takes me full circle to being well-adjusted, I think.”
Reflections on fame and public scrutiny
The Netflix special also touched on her decision to step back from the limelight after controversies surrounding her talk show. She reflected on public criticism and life in the spotlight:
“When you’re a public figure, you’re open to everyone’s interpretation… But you know the truth, and that’s all that matters.”
As mentioned, the former talk show host now lives a quieter life in the English countryside, months after she and her wife, Portia de Rossi, quietly relocated to the UK.
The couple have kept a low profile since leaving Montecito, California, following Donald Trump’s election victory in 2024, settling in the Cotswolds.
