Watch: Ellen DeGeneres' Speech for Winning Mark Twain Prize for American Humor

Earlier this week Ellen DeGeneres picked up the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington D.C. Following funny women including Jane Lynch and Lily Tomlin, who paid tribute to the honoree, Ellen took the stage to offer thanks for the prize and to prove just why she was worthy of it with her hilarious, gentle humor.

“I never could have imagined that my life would end up this way. I didn’t think I’d end up having my own show, I didn’t think I’d end up being in movies, I didn’t think I’d have a talk show, I didn’t think I’d be a Cover Girl,” Ellen says. “I just thought that I’d be a closeted gay comedian wearing parachute pants.”

Later in the speech Ellen thanks her family, friends and work associates for their support and finally turns to her wife Portia de Rossi and says, Portia, what can I say, you have the most beautiful, talented, amazing wife.”

Watch Ellen’s full speech below! 

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