Talk show host Ellen DeGeneres has been one of the most prominent faces on television for years. That said, fans are curious to know all about her success story. Scroll down to go inside Ellen’s fame — plus learn more fun facts about her life!

Why is Ellen DeGeneres so famous?

Ellen has been in the public spotlight since she first appeared on the sitcoms Open House from 1989 until 1990, Laurie Hill in 1992, and her big break, Ellen, from 1994 until 1998. She then appeared on The Ellen Show from 2001 until 2002. She’s additionally starred on her own talk show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, from 2003 until today. The show has remained one of the most popular daytime shows on TV!

Ellen also made history (and heightened her fame) when she publicly came out as gay on Ellen in April of 1997. And while she inspired millions of people, Ellen admitted she “hit rock bottom” after the confession. “I had a lot of insecurity. I wasn’t sure if I was going to work again, and although I was out, I was still trying to alter myself — not dressing the way I wanted to dress or wearing my hair the way I wanted to,” she once said.

What’s Ellen DeGeneres’ age?

Ellen’s birthday is on Jan. 26, 1958, so that makes her 59 years old today. We wonder if she has any exciting plans for her upcoming 60th birthday!

How tall is Ellen DeGeneres?

Ellen DeGeneres is five feet and seven inches tall. Did you think she was taller or shorter? The TV host does sit down on her talk show a lot, so it’s sometimes hard to tell!

Who is Ellen DeGeneres married to?

Ellen wed her wife, Portia de Rossi, back in 2008. She previously gushed about Portia in a recent interview. “I’m grateful for everything. I’m grateful for my health, and I’m so grateful for the love in my life,” she said “Because not everybody finds that. Not everybody finds that best friend.”

Ellen continued, “Portia and I constantly say to each other, ‘We are so lucky.’ Sometimes it’s lying in bed at night before I go to sleep, and I just say thank you to whatever, whoever is out there.” She gushed, “I’ve gotten to a place where I really am just settled. Really. I know that I’m not going anywhere. She’s not going anywhere. I’m not saying the relationship took a while; I’m saying in my life, it took a while to find this.”

Does Ellen DeGeneres have kids?

No, Ellen and Portia never had any kids together and they’re both ok with it. Ellen said in a previous interview, “I think I would. But that’s not enough to have kids. I love kids. But that’s such a big commitment. And it seems long-term. And I just don’t know if I can — it’s too risky.”

Did Ellen DeGeneres earn a Presidential Medal of Freedom?

Yes! Back in November 2016, Ellen received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from former US President Barack Obama. Barack acknowledged giving Ellen the “highest civilian honor” before he left office. “When I gave Ellen the Presidential Medal of Freedom, I meant what I said. Somebody that kind and likable projecting into living rooms around the country, that changed attitudes,” he said. “And that wasn’t easy to do for her, and that’s just one small example of what was happening in communities all across the country.”