As Ellen DeGeneres wrapped up her long-running daytime talk show after 19 seasons, many fans began reflecting on both the highlights and challenges of her career. Around the same time, she shared a personal health experience that surprised many—severe back pain during her bout with COVID-19.
After stepping away from the spotlight following controversy surrounding workplace culture on her show, DeGeneres shifted her focus toward philanthropy, particularly animal conservation. One of her major projects was helping complete the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund in Rwanda. But during this period, she also faced a health setback after testing positive for COVID-19.
When she contracted the virus in December 2020, she emphasized that she had followed recommended safety precautions. About a week later, she reported feeling fully recovered. However, she pointed out an unexpected symptom that caught her off guard—intense back pain.
Speaking during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in April 2021, DeGeneres explained that the discomfort was far more severe than she anticipated. She noted that while many people talked about common symptoms, back pain wasn’t widely mentioned at the time, even though others she spoke to had experienced it as well.
Early in the pandemic, medical understanding of the virus was still developing. Organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention listed symptoms such as fever, cough, fatigue, and loss of taste or smell, along with general muscle aches—but did not specifically highlight back pain.
Later, health guidance from the National Health Service provided more context, noting that illness and reduced movement can worsen existing muscle or joint discomfort. For many patients, inactivity during recovery can lead to stiffness and increased pain, which may explain experiences like DeGeneres’.
Her story offered insight into how varied COVID-19 symptoms can be—and how even less-discussed effects can significantly impact recovery.
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