Early life
Ellen was born on January 26, 1958, just outside of Louisiana, to Betty and Elliot Degeneres. She had one sibling, an older brother, Vance. (Ellen Degeneres, a Biography) Growing up, Ellen was a typical child. She played with her brother and her toys, and was generally cheerful. (Ellen Degeneres, a Biography)
After years of marital problems, Ellen’s mother divorced her father. It was a difficult time for the two of them, and Ellen turned to comedy to help her mother cope.(Ellen Degeneres. Biography)
Ellen’s teenage years were filled with personal discovery. Although she had dated a few boys in the past, she soon began to realize her attraction to women. She kept these feelings to herself, as homosexuality was not particularly embraced at the time. Ellen’s mother remarried when Ellen was in highschool. When she was just 16, her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Ellen stayed by her side all through her recovery. (Ellen Degeneres, a Biography)
After years of marital problems, Ellen’s mother divorced her father. It was a difficult time for the two of them, and Ellen turned to comedy to help her mother cope.(Ellen Degeneres. Biography)
Ellen’s teenage years were filled with personal discovery. Although she had dated a few boys in the past, she soon began to realize her attraction to women. She kept these feelings to herself, as homosexuality was not particularly embraced at the time. Ellen’s mother remarried when Ellen was in highschool. When she was just 16, her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Ellen stayed by her side all through her recovery. (Ellen Degeneres, a Biography)