Ellen Degeneres says Portia de Rossi is her “rock”.

Ellen Degeneres and Portia de Rossi for People magazine

Ellen Degeneres and Portia de Rossi for People magazine

The 63-year-old television host tied the knot with Portia, 48, in August 2008 after same-sex marriage was legalized in California, and has gushed over how important her wife is to keeping her grounded.

Ellen credited Portia with helping to “keep [her] going” last year after former employees of her talk show accused the show’s producers – who have since been sacked – of creating a toxic work environment.

She said: "It broke my heart; I couldn't have gone through everything I went through without her. It was a horrible time in my life, and she was a rock. She kept me going and tried to help me put things in perspective."

And after 12 years together, the couple have “grown together” and now know exactly how to make each other feel comfortable.

Portia added: "We've grown together as a couple, and we really consider each other and put our relationship first. By doing that, you become a lot more solid. I can't imagine spending time with anyone but her.”

Whilst Ellen said: "We think the same things, say the same things at the same time, finish each other's sandwiches - no, sentences. We're in a rhythm that's easy."

The couple also find it easy to talk about the things they love the most about each other.

Ellen gushed: "To start superficially, I love the way she looks. I love her brain; she's smart. That's really important. She's strong. She's confident. She's really funny. And she's a good dresser and a good dancer. She's learning to cook."

And Portia added in a joint interview for People magazine’s first-ever love issue: "Wow, how do I top that? She is the kindest, most generous, most loving, loyal, trustworthy person I have ever known. She's a very special human being. Some of it sometimes rubs off on me."