In her opening monologue for Thursday’s show, which was taped and released on Wednesday, DeGeneres tells audiences that she has an announcement to make.
This show has been the greatest experience of my life and I owe it all to you,” she continues, before thanking viewers.
One time I was talking to Portia but she thought I was talking to myself because of the other times when I was talking to myself and she thought I was talking to her,” she says.
I always knew in my heart that season 19 would be my last,” she explains, before later adding, “The truth is I always trust my instincts.
She goes on: “In 1997, I knew it was time to come out on my sitcom and live my truth.
“Eighteen years ago, on the very first show, I said that this was gonna be a relationship.
The announcement came about 10 months after the show was embroiled in controversy last summer amid allegations of workplace toxicity, prompting an internal investigation.
But if I was quitting the show because of that, I wouldn’t have come back this season,” she said.