18 Aug 2008

Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi wed in California

In the biggest celebrity union since California's Supreme Court overturned a state ban on same-sex marriage, US talk show host Ellen DeGeneres and her long-time partner actress Portia de Rossi marry on Saturday.

Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi have wed in a private ceremony at their Beverly Hills home on Saturday, their spokesperson told People magazine.

Portia de Rossi and Ellen DeGeneres (right) at the 19th Annual GLAAD Media Awards held on April 26, 2008 in Los Angeles.
The pair, who wore all-white ensembles by Zac Posen and exchanged rings by Neil Lane, is said to have taken their vows in the presence of 19 guests including both women's mothers.

The couple has been dating since late 2004 and has been open about their relationship, appearing at red carpet events together.

DeGeneres made headlines around the world in 1997 when she came out on national television in a two-part interview with Diane Sawyer before doing the same again on her hit television sitcom Ellen. The 50-year-old television host who also hosted the Oscars ceremony in 2007 announced plans to marry de Rossi during her talk show immediately after California's Supreme Court ruled in May that a ban on gay marriage was unlawful.

de Rossi, 35, who's Australian, had a role in 1997's teen horror film Scream 2 before her big break in 1997 legal comedy TV series, Ally McBeal. She later starred in the critically acclaimed comedy Arrested Development.

United States