Ellen DeGeneres faced one of the most turbulent chapters of her life after stepping out of the public eye following numerous allegations that severely damaged her long-standing reputation in entertainment.
Once the beloved host of one of the world’s most-watched talk shows, Ellen saw her wholesome public image unravel after multiple accusations of workplace mistreatment emerged, particularly regarding her interactions with staff members.
Forced into a quieter, more private lifestyle, she was soon met with another challenge: a trio of unexpected diagnoses.
The 67-year-old opened up about her health struggles in her Netflix special For Your Approval, released last September and widely regarded as her final stand-up performance.
“I don’t even know how I’m standing up right now. I’m like a human sandcastle—one shower away from collapsing,” she joked during the show.
She then revealed that she had been diagnosed with osteoporosis, a condition that causes bones to weaken as their density and strength decline, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Ellen recalled being in “excruciating pain” one day and initially believing she had torn a ligament. Early MRI results led doctors to suspect arthritis. Reflecting on aging, she quipped: “It’s hard to be honest about getting older and still seem cool.”
But the comedian’s struggles didn’t stop at physical health. During therapy sessions following the workplace scandal, she received another surprising diagnosis.
“A therapist told me I might have OCD. I said, ‘Yes, I’m very organized,’ because I thought that’s what the O meant. I had no idea what OCD actually was,” she admitted.
Growing up in Christian Science—a religion that discourages acknowledgment of illness—meant she was raised in an environment where no one talked about medical or mental health issues.
Finally, Ellen revealed she had also been diagnosed with ADHD, which makes concentration and stillness difficult.
“So now I have ADD, OCD, and my memory is slipping,” she said.
“But maybe it balances out. I obsess over things, but I can’t focus long enough to keep obsessing, and then I forget it all anyway. So maybe that makes me well-adjusted.”
In 2024, Ellen and her wife, Portia de Rossi, relocated to the UK, where they now reside. While she continues to work behind the scenes as a producer, she has officially stepped away from the world of talk shows.
