Ellen DeGeneres experienced an immensely difficult period when she was forced to step away from the limelight due to a number of allegations that tarnished her career in showbiz.
At one point in time, the comedian hosted arguably the most popular talk show on the planet, but her spotless reputation and squeaky-clean image disintegrated after a series of bullying accusations surfaced, centered predominantly around her treatment of the people who worked on the show.
Ellen was forced to transition to a quieter, more subtle lifestyle, only to be struck with a triple diagnosis that occurred soon after.
The 67-year-old spoke candidly on her health issues during her Netflix special, For Your Approval. The show, tipped to be her final farewell to live comedy, was released last year in September.
“I don’t even know how I’m standing up right now. I’m like a human sandcastle. I could disintegrate in the shower,” DeGeneres joked at the time.
The comedian went on to reveal that she had been diagnosed with osteoporosis, a condition where bones become brittle. As per the Mayo Clinic, the condition often occurs when “bone mineral density and bone mass decrease, or when the structure and strength of bone changes.”
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 03: Ellen DeGeneres attends Netflix ‘Green Eggs & Ham’ Los Angeles Premiere at Post 43 on November 03, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix)
Ellen said she had experienced “excruciating pain” one day, and assumed that she had torn a ligament.
An initial MRI, meanwhile, led doctors to believe she had arthritis. Reflecting on the challenges associating with aging, Ellen added: “It’s hard to be honest about aging and seem cool.”
But it wasn’t just physical ailments the talkshow host had to contend with. Ellen also revealed that during therapy sessions in the wake of the aforementioned bullying allegations, a therapist gave her another diagnosis.
“I may have OCD because a therapist said so and I said, ‘Yes I am very organized,’ because I thought that was the O. I didn’t know what OCD was,” Ellen said.
“I was raised in a religion, Christian Science, that doesn’t acknowledge diseases or disorders. So when I was growing up, nobody talked about anything. There was no discussion of anything.”
Last but certainly not least, Ellen also shed light on the fact that she had been diagnosed with ADHD, a neurodevelopmental disorder that makes it difficult for her to focus and sit still.
“So, I have ADD, I have OCD, I’m losing my memory,” DeGeneres 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 in the first place. So, it takes me all the way around to being well-adjusted, I think.”
Having relocated to the UK with wife Portia di Rossi in 2024, Ellen currently lives in England. She continues to serve as a Hollywood producer, but is retired from talkshow hosting.
