Ellen DeGeneres holds back tears as she mourns ‘boyfriend’ Tayt Andersen after death at 19

MONTECITO, CALIFORNIA: Ellen DeGeneres is grieving the loss of Tayt Andersen, the young fan she fondly called her ‘only boyfriend’.

On September 26, 2025, Andersen died at 19 after years of battling complex health issues.

Hours later, DeGeneres posted an emotional tribute on Instagram, fighting tears as she remembered the teenager who brought joy and laughter to her life.

Who Tayt Andersen was to Ellen DeGeneres

Andersen first captured national attention in 2013 when he appeared on 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show' and called the talk show host his girlfriend.

In return, DeGeneres affectionately dubbed him her ‘only boyfriend’, a title that stayed with him throughout his life.

Born with half a heart, Andersen underwent more than a dozen surgeries before receiving a heart transplant at age 10.

Even after the procedure, his health battles continued. He was diagnosed with post-transplant lymphoma, and by 2024, he faced a new challenge when doctors found bladder cancer.

By June 2025, the cancer had spread throughout his body, and physicians told his family he had only a few months left to live, according to the New York Post.

How Tayt Andersen died

In his final days, Andersen’s condition worsened after an infection. Although he briefly showed signs of awareness earlier in the week, his mother Chrissy Becker said he later became unresponsive.

Surrounded by his family, he drifted off to sleep and died at 1:30 am Central Time.

His family emphasized that he left this world free of pain, hospital stays and treatments, saying, “While our souls feel shattered and lost by this unimaginable grief, we are so thankful that Tayt is finally free. No more pain, no more appointments, no more treatments.”

“Tayt was loved by so many, and he impacted countless lives with his incredible smile, his quiet strength, his kindness, and his beautiful love,” they added.

DeGeneres shared her heartbreak in a tearful Instagram video, saying, “He was a very special little human being… I will miss him.” She ended her message with, “I love you Tayt. I love you Chrissy.”

Becker responded publicly, thanking the comedian for her support. “We love you so much. Thank you for being his girlfriend — you gave him so much strength,” she wrote.

Ellen DeGeneres remembers Tayt Andersen’s courage and spirit

DeGeneres, who ended her long-running daytime show in 2022, had welcomed Andersen back several times over the years.

His appearances symbolized resilience and joy in the face of hardship.

Fans admired the bond between them, often describing Andersen as a source of light and hope.

Tributes for Andersen flooded social media soon after news of his death broke.

Supporters remembered his infectious smile, quiet bravery and the extraordinary friendship he shared with DeGeneres.

As his family and DeGeneres grieve, Andersen’s story continues to inspire. His short but impactful life is now remembered as a symbol of courage, love and connection.