Portia de Rossi Reveals the Interesting Gift She Gave Wife Ellen DeGeneres for Her 61st Birthday

After Portia de Rossi founded The Ellen DeGeneres Wildlife Fund for wife Ellen DeGeneres on the TV host’s 60th birthday last year, the pressure was on for the 46-year-old actress to deliver another incredible gift for Ellen’s 61st birthday last month.

So when Portia visited The Ellen DeGeneres Show on Wednesday, February 20, Ellen asked the Arrested Development star to tell the audience exactly what she came up with as a birthday gift for her spouse this year — and Portia’s answer was hilarious! “So that was my 60th birthday and then in January … I turned 61 and, uh, what’d ya get me?” Ellen asked, hinting that the present may not have been as extravagant as last year’s gift. “Tell everybody what you got me.”

Portia then sheepishly replied, “Gardening tools.” Ellen then said, “That’s right.” The actress insisted that she defend herself, however. “She likes to garden!” the blonde beauty explained of her wife’s hobby. “I do,” Ellen said, “I do.”

While this year’s gift may not have been as special as last year’s, Portia has had her hands full as she works hard to bring Ellen’s 60th birthday present to life. In fact, Portia — who tied the knot with Ellen in 2008 — recently spent 55 hours flying to and from Rwanda to attend the groundbreaking of The Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.

“It was an incredible experience. I mean, I just couldn’t believe the feeling of gratitude, which was really overwhelming for me,” Portia gushed of her trip. “Not just from people that are gonna directly benefit, but just the entire area. There are 1,500 jobs that will be created, millions of dollars will go into the economy because of your campus. It was a really special, pretty overwhelming moment.”

Even though Ellen couldn’t be there, it was just as special for her, too. “I was very jealous because, obviously, I’m working and I couldn’t go. So I had to send you and I appreciate it very much.” They are so cute!