In a celebration of love and commitment, Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi renewed their wedding vows on Tuesday at a party in their Los Angeles-area home to celebrate de Rossi’s 50th birthday. According to People, de Rossi, the former star of “Arrested Development,” surprised DeGeneres by changing into her wedding gown from their original ceremony in 2008. The couple was led to Kris Jenner, who officiated the renewal, and the guests were serenaded by Brandi Carlile singing “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face.”
The actress reflected on her milestone birthday and her accomplishments, saying, “What greater accomplishment can I ever, ever, ever, have in my life than being loved by someone who is so magnificent?” She also expressed her love for DeGeneres, invoking a Walt Whitman quote she used in the 2008 ceremony, “It’s great to be loved, but it’s profound to be understood.” The couple, who have been together for 18 years and have lived in 24 houses, are now settling into what they describe as a permanent home and a life “where we just get to do whatever the hell we want for the rest of our lives.”
The event was attended by famous guests including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Aniston, Carol Burnett, Courteney Cox, Melissa Etheridge, Katy Perry, and Orlando Bloom. The special moment was captured on YouTube for all to see.