Betty DeGeneres Birthday & Fun Facts | Kidadl

Betty DeGeneres Birthday & Fun Facts

Height, Age, Net Worth, Biography & More

Arts & Crafts
Learn more
Reading & Writing
Learn more
Math & Logic
Learn more
Sports & Active
Learn more
Music & Dance
Learn more
Social & Community
Learn more
Mindful & Reflective
Learn more
Outdoor & Nature
Learn more
Read these Tokyo facts to learn all about the Japanese capital.

Betty DeGeneres Birthday Highlights

Birth Name
Elizabeth Jane Pfeffer
Place Of Birth
New Orleans, USA
Age
93 years old
Birth Date
May 19 1930

Betty DeGeneres Facts

Child Star?
no
Occupation
Former Speech Therapist, Activist
Education & Qualifications
Louisiana State University
Children
Vance DeGeneres, Ellen DeGeneres
Parents
Mildred Morrill, William Dick Pfeffer
Siblings
Helen Pfeffer, Audrey Pfeffer

About Betty DeGeneres 

Betty DeGeneres is an activist and former speech therapist who was born on May 20, 1930 in New Orleans, Louisiana, of the United States.

Born Elizabeth Jane Pfeffer, she is more popularly known as Betty DeGeneres. She's the mother of famous American comedian and television personality Ellen DeGeneres.

The New Orleans-born activist worked as a speech and language therapist at Cedar Sinai Medical Center, LA before becoming involved in activist work following her daughter's public coming-out in April 1997.

A campaigner, therapist, author, and mother, Betty DeGeneres has won the hearts of many Americans and is a cherished ally of the LGBT community. Betty has spoken about her sudden dive into the world of activism, saying it feels like her mission in life.

Betty DeGeneres Net Worth, Earnings, & Spending Habits

What is Betty DeGeneres’ net worth?

The net worth of Betty DeGeneres is unknown.

How much does Betty DeGeneres earn per year?

The annual earnings of Betty DeGeneres are also unknown.

Height, Age, & Physical Attributes

How tall is Betty DeGeneres?

Betty DeGeneres is 5 ft 5 in (165 cm) tall.

How old is Betty DeGeneres?

Betty DeGeneres is about 92 years old. She was born on May 20, 1930 and is a Taurus.

Childhood And Education

Betty DeGeneres was born on May 20, 1930 in New Orleans, Louisiana to an Irish mother named Mildred Morrill, and a German father named William Dick Pfeffer. As per her family life, Betty was the youngest of three daughters after her older sisters Helen and Audrey Pfeffer. She studied speech pathology at Louisiana State University for two years before obtaining her Master's degree and becoming a speech therapist. She would often be involved in college plays alongside none other than Hollywood actress Joanne Woodward.

Family, Romance, And Relationships

Who was Betty DeGeneres’ partner?

As of 2022, Betty DeGeneres is not married.

She was married to Elliott DeGeneres from 1952-1974. After the couple divorced, Betty then married Roy Gruessendorf the same year. Betty moved from New Orleans to Atlanta, Texas with Ellen while Vance stayed back with his father. Betty and Roy divorced in 1991.

Betty has two children with her first husband. Their son, Vance DeGeneres, was born in 1954, and their daughter Ellen DeGeneres was born in 1958.

Career And Professional Highlights

Best Known For…

Betty DeGeneres' rise to fame took place after her daughter Ellen publicly came out as a lesbian on April 14, 1997. At the time, Betty had just retired from Cedar Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. When Betty's daughter first came out to her, Betty made sure she felt accepted and validated. At the same time, she was worried about the struggles that Ellen would come to face, such as ostracization by friends and family. Betty was soon launched onto the path of activism she would so passionately come to pursue. She went on to become their first straight spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign National Coming Out Project.

Betty DeGeneres has also authored two books titled 'Love, Ellen: A Mother/Daughter Journey' and 'Just A Mom.'

Charity Work

Betty DeGeneres joined the HRC’s National Coming Out Project as a spokesperson to show support for her daughter and the LGBTQ+ community. The Human Rights Campaign aims to end discrimination against LGBTQ+ people and mobilize resources to empower them.

Betty also joined PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), an organization aimed at bringing together LGBTQ+ individuals and their family members. PFLAG is the first organization of its kind, and also the largest with 200,000 members spread across more than 400 chapters in the United States.

What awards has Betty DeGeneres won?

In 2003, Betty DeGeneres was awarded the Bridgebuilder Award by The Lambda Literary Foundation in appreciation of their literary contributions and work on LGBT issues.

Director Jim Marks said of Betty and fellow awardee Judy Shepard, 'Both in tragedy and success, they have put a human face on the gay condition and reminded us that we are all part of one family.'

Betty DeGeneres’ Hobbies And Interests

Betty DeGeneres is passionate about fighting for LGBT rights. Not only has she given public speeches on the topic, but she also writes openly about her personal experiences as well. At one point, she also wrote a column for PlanetOut called 'Ask Betty.'

Other Interesting Betty DeGeneres Facts And Trivia

  • Betty DeGeneres has, unsurprisingly, made multiple public appearances on her daughter's shows.
  • She appeared in 'The Puppy Episode' of 'Ellen' and also in multiple episodes of 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show.'
  • Betty DeGeneres is quite the actress. She has also appeared in 'Team Knight Rider', 'Entertainment Tonight', and 'Kathy Griffin: My Life On The D-List'.

We would love your help! If you have a photo of Betty DeGeneres, either of them alone or a selfie that you would be happy to share, please send it to [email protected].
If you have knowledge or information that you think would help us improve this article, please contact us.

<p>A dedicated and passionate writer, Helga brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the team. She holds a Bachelor's degree in English Literature and Language from Lady Shri Ram College For Womenand has a keen interest in charitable work, particularly in animal welfare, which drives her commitment to making a positive impact. Previously, she volunteered for the Friendicoes National Service Scheme, managing their social media platforms and organizing charity events for animals in need.</p>

Read The Disclaimer

Was this article helpful?