Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi have concluded a complex series of UK property transactions, reportedly selling a modern mansion for £35.5 million to Magnus Rausing, an heir to the Tetra Pak fortune, and returning to their initial farmhouse purchase in the Cotswolds.
The saga began in June 2024, when DeGeneres, following the cancellation of her talk show amid bullying allegations, sought to establish a new life in Britain's Cotswolds region. The couple purchased Kitesbridge Farm, a seven-bedroom farmhouse in Asthall, for £15 million and invested an additional £7.5 million in renovations.
However, their plans were disrupted by severe weather. Storms Bert and Claudia caused flooding on the property's grounds, leading the couple to seek alternative accommodation. They acquired a nearby ultra-modern mansion, situated on higher ground, for £37.2 million.
After moving into the new property in February, they placed the flood-prone Kitesbridge Farm on the market for £22.5 million. When a buyer failed to materialize, they de-listed the farmhouse and quietly put their modern mansion up for sale instead. A deal was reportedly agreed upon for £35.5 million with Magnus Rausing, a venture capitalist and heir to the Tetra Pak packaging brand founded by his great-grandfather, Ruben Rausing.
Meanwhile, DeGeneres and de Rossi have apparently reconsidered their preference for the original farmhouse, with sources indicating they are now planning to make it their long-term home. The couple recently received planning permission from West Oxfordshire District Council to build new stables on the property, citing their passion for horses and the need for facilities for their training and care.
A local property expert described the situation as unusual, noting that the couple effectively spent approximately £37 million, plus associated costs like stamp duty and moving expenses, only to end up back at their starting point.
Magnus Rausing, the buyer of the modern mansion, is the son of Jörn Rausing and has been based in London. He has focused on transitioning family wealth into early-stage startup investments, with current interests in eco-cleaning firms, sustainable technologies, and a media company. He graduated from New York University and previously worked in Mergers and Acquisitions at Rothschild & Co.
The Rausing family gained public attention in 2012 when Magnus's cousin once removed, Sir Hans Rausing, was found to be living with the body of his deceased wife.