Ellen DeGeneres has shared a moving tribute to one of her most cherished young guests, Tayt Andersen, who has passed away at the age of 19.
The former talk show host, 67, took to Instagram with an emotional video message remembering Tayt, who captured hearts around the world when he first appeared on her show as a child. Tayt died after a battle with bladder cancer, having faced health challenges since birth.
Born with half a heart, Tayt first won Ellen’s attention in 2013 when his affection for her went viral – he proudly called her his “girlfriend.” Ellen invited him to appear on her show, sparking a beautiful bond that saw him return to the studio several times. In 2015, he shared the life-changing news that he’d “got myself a new heart.”
In her tribute, DeGeneres recalled, “We had a very special guest on the show several times, and his name is Tayt. And he thought that I was his girlfriend, and so I told him he was my boyfriend, which shocked my wife.
“But he was a very special little human being, and just brought joy and life and laughter into every room that he was in.
“I will miss him,” she said, before playing a montage of his most memorable appearances.
Tayt’s mother, Chrissy Becker, confirmed his passing in a heartbreaking statement on September 26.
“Our hearts are absolutely shattered as we share the news we never wanted to write: Our sweet, strong warrior, Tayt, was released from his bodily prison early this morning, at 1:30 a.m. CT, surrounded by the fierce love of his family,” she wrote.
“We knew Tayt time was limited but we honestly just weren’t ready to lose him.”
Chrissy later responded to Ellen’s heartfelt post, adding, “We love you so much. Thank you for being his girlfriend you gave him so much strength.”
Throughout the years, Tayt’s love for Ellen brought him comfort even in the hardest times. Chrissy once explained that her son would often delay doctors until her show had finished, saying, “Mummy, I gotta get better. gotta go see my girlfriend. I gotta go see Ellen.”
Despite enduring more than a dozen surgeries before the age of nine and receiving a heart transplant at just 10 years old, Tayt’s spirit never dimmed. He bravely faced post-transplant lymphoma in his early teens and was later diagnosed with bladder cancer at 18.
For Ellen and everyone touched by his story, Tayt will be remembered not just for his strength, but for the joy he carried, and the love he shared so openly.
Images: Instagram
