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The most beloved TV show host in America, Ellen DeGeneres rides the wave of success.
She hosted thousands of celebs on her show.
She had comics drinking cocktails, stars telling jokes and a President dancing on her set!
Today, she is frank with her guests and is not afraid of judgment.
We love her for the way she is.
But there were times when personal drama and work boundaries eclipsed her rosy and cheerful performances.
Watch our video to find out how Ellen’s life changed after she came out on TV!
Ellen’s tousled hair and pleasant smile quickly became a household name on TV.
She started her career as a comedian, performing in small bars and cafes.
In the early 80’s Ellen received offers to perform on air and soon presented her first
standup on Jimmy Carson’s Show in 1986.
Her famous 'The Phone call to God' cracked up the audience.
But no one sitting in front of her realized what tragedy in DeGeneres’ life pushed her to write it.
In 2015 on Oprah's Master Class, Ellen finally told how the death of her friend changed her life.
The two had a big fight in a club that made her friend leave earlier.
When Ellen and other friends were on their way back home, they saw a horrible car crash on the road.
Only the next morning did DeGeneres find out that it was her roommate in the accident.
Sitting in a tiny room in a basement on a mattress full of fleas, she thought how nice
it would be to give God a phone call and talk about life.
Though Ellen was going through a serious loss, it helped her grasp how vulnerable life is
and to appreciate every single moment of it.
DeGeneres worked even harder on her career.
And her efforts paid off soon.
Showtime called her 'the funniest person in America.'
Ellen started her tour around the country and won an Emmy Award in 1997.
But there was still something bothering Ellen.
She’d never spoken about her personal life in public.
In fact, the deceased friend of whom she told the story on the show, was more than a friend or roommate.
She was her girlfriend.
It was 1997.
Ellen was a very popular TV star and she had a lot to risk.
She called Oprah Winfrey that night and asked to announce her coming-out on the show.
Oprah, who did not hesitate for a second, was shocked to have received so much hate-mail the next day.
Ellen was also shocked by the reaction of the audience.
She received a ton of threatening mails.
Ellen was mocked in each show on every channel.
Her show Ellen was shut down.
But DeGeneres kept on going.
She continued her career as a comic.
Nothing could overshadow her talent.
In two years a new The Ellen Show was aired on CBS.
She was among the first brave Hollywood stars to come out and speak about her sexuality publicly.
She changed the lives of millions of Americans, showing them the courage to embrace their own nature.
The same year she came out, Ellen began a relationship with actress Anne Heche.
They dated for three years.
Despite being madly in love, Anne is now throwing shade on Ellen and her new relationship.
Anne claimed that DeGeneres is poaching her partner's career, making it all about her.
In 2004, Ellen met Portia de Rossi.
They fell in love at the very first sight.
Ellen and Portia had been living together in a happy marriage for almost 14 years.
But when they first met, Portia wasn’t open about her orientation.
Just a month later she decided to go out to the paparazzi holding Ellen’s hand.
They have been completely in love since then.
"She took my breath away," de Rossi recalled.
Tabloids constantly write fake news about the couple's split.
But Ellen and Portia just laugh at these rumors.
In 2016, President Obama awarded Ellen with the Medal of Freedom in the White House.
And DeGeneres has definitely earned it!
She teaches us what is most important - to embrace ourselves and to stay true to ourselves.
Well, go on joking and tell your story, Ellen DeGeneres!
Thanks for watching.
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