The Truth About Kelly Ripa And Mark Consuelos' Insanely Glamorous Life
There's no better example of a fairytale marriage than that of Mark Consuelos and Kelly Ripa. Their love story began in a glamorous way — when they played love interests on one of the most acclaimed soap operas of all time — and it continues to grow just as lavishly as it started. Now married for a quarter of a century with three children, Ripa and Consuelos are celebrated for having a rare kind of love that teaches us important lessons on how to sustain a lasting union.
In 2001, Ripa catapulted to national fame as the cohost of Live with Regis and Kelly, and has been entertaining America every morning since. And although Consuelos' gig on Riverdale – which films in Canada, far from their New York home — limits their time together, they still keep their union fun. In fact, the lovebirds are known for their sweet — and NSFW – Instagram mentions.
It's easier to maintain a marriage when you have the shared bank account that this couple does. With their vacation homes, invites to Hollywood parties, and closets of designer threads, life is good in the Ripa-Consuelos household. Here's a look into just how chic it really is.
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos met on one of the highest-grossing soap operas of all time
The setting to the beginning of Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos' fairytale romance was the acclaimed daytime drama, All My Children; the program aired on ABC for more than 40 years, averaging 2.5 million viewers per day and garnering countless Emmy Awards. Ripa was asked to audition men for the role of her future love interest, and when the casting director presented her with a photo of Consuelos, the starlet was instantly smitten. "I saw my entire future with him flash before [my eyes]," Ripa confessed to Radio Andy.
Ripa's intuition proved to be spot on, because when she and Consuelos met for a screen test, it was love at first sight. "I fell in love with Mark the day I met him," she gushed on Live with Kelly and Ryan – and the feeling was mutual. In fact, when Soap Opera Digest asked when Consuelos fell for Ripa, he said, "As far as I'm concerned, instantly — before we ever had a scene together." The two characters ended up getting married on the show, and art imitated life because the actors had already wed IRL.
Mark Consuelos and Kelly Ripa had a glamorous honeymoon
Although Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos didn't have a lavish wedding – they eloped in Las Vegas — because of their star power, their secret nuptials were quickly discovered. "Immediately we were recognized by the person who typed up our marriage certificate," Consuelos told Entertainment Tonight.
The day the groom-to-be popped the question was ultra glam since he was on TV with his future wife. At the time, Ripa and Consuelos were broken up, but still had to do an appearance on Live with Regis and Kathie Lee to surprise a mom whose dream was to meet them. Since they weren't together at the time, Ripa wouldn't talk to Consuelos during filming. "That made me go crazy, so I followed her into Central Park... and we got married the next day," he divulged on Watch What Happens Live.
Although Ripa and Consuelos kept it very low-key when tying the knot – with the bride famously wearing a $199 dress – the newlyweds did embark on an over-the-top honeymoon to Capri, Italy. It was so memorable that, according to Consuelos' Instagram throwback photo, "We're still banned from that hotel... it was worth it."
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos' children are educated at a seriously expensive college
Being celebrity offspring, the Ripa-Consuelos children are afforded once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. So when it comes to their education, their famous parents spare no expense. In 2019, Lola Consuelos went off to attend college at New York University (via People), and studies at their prestigious Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music (via Page Six). Additionally, Lola's older brother, Michael Consuelos, graduated from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, which is known for being the "country's preeminent center for the study of the performing, cinematic and emerging media arts." Fellow grads of the esteemed program include Kristen Bell and Lady Gaga.
Although the family resides in Manhattan, where the university is located, the Consuelos kids still live in their costly dormitories, making their total annual tuition approximately $78K each! And as for the youngest child, Joaquin Consuelos, he'll be attending the University of Michigan and joining the school's wrestling team (via People). (The news came after TMZ reported on Mark Consuelos' rage at one of his matches.) It's apparent that the school's happy to have him because the team posted his acceptance on their Instagram page! Talk about star power!
During the lockdown, Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos quarantined in the Caribbean
In March of 2020, when the country was ordered to lockdown amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Kelly Ripa, Mark Consuelos, and their three children happened to be at their vacation home in the Caribbean. According to People, they decided to shelter in place in the tropical paradise instead of returning home to New York City, one of the virus' epicenters.
Besides having the luxury of being able to escape the afflicted city and quarantine on the beach, Ripa was also being paid during that time. Her show, Live with Kelly and Ryan, was still being filmed, and while viewers assumed Ripa was appearing on screen virtually from her Manhattan home, she was actually in the land of palm trees. But when the news got out in late May that Ripa was not in New York, fans were not pleased; they took to Twitter to express their outrage that they were being lied to by omission. Others were disappointed that Ripa was pretending she was in the same situation as New Yorkers, saying things like, "It's ok to feel scared and alone and helpless," on Instagram. Stars aren't just like us!
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos' combined net worth is staggering
With a staggering net worth of $120 million, Kelly Ripa has definitely come a long way from her humble professional beginnings. "I was originally dropping off other people's headshots, because [that was] my side hustle," she told Entertainment Weekly. Named one of the highest earning talk show hosts in the world, Ripa takes home an annual salary of approximately $20 million for her role cohosting Live with Kelly and Ryan with Ryan Seacrest. As for her other half, Mark Consuelos stars as Hiram Lodge in Riverdale, and has a net worth of $40 million.
The duo also enjoyed the high life with earnings from their leading roles on All My Children. For her work on the drama, Ripa, who was on the series from 1990 to 2002, brought home serious cash; as per CheatSheet, actors on soaps for 10 years could earn up to $5,000 per episode. Consuelos, who was on the show for seven years, took home up to $3,000 an episode.
Ripa and Consuelos will be capitalizing on the show yet again. In 2020, Deadline reported that they'll be executive producing an All My Children spinoff through their production company.
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos have lucrative side hustles
As they say, "money makes money," and Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos are no exception to that rule. Besides raking in the dough from their on-screen gigs, the power couple also pads their bank account with lucrative side hustles. For one, they own a production company together called Milojo and have sold scripts to ABC, HBO, and Hulu.
Additionally, Ripa — the main breadwinner of the family — lends her friendly face and perky disposition to sell products as a brand ambassador, promoting companies such as Pantene and Electrolux. You may have seen her TV commercials for the shampoo where she accentuates her luscious tresses, or the appliance label where she does a load of laundry. An Electrolux rep said that Ripa creates "instant recognition, and she is someone our target consumers can relate to."
In 2020, the actress-turned-entrepreneur inked another deal — this time in the wellness arena — becoming the name behind the vitamin subscription program, Persona. The company's CEO expressed his contentment with having her on board, saying, "We are extremely impressed with Kelly's determination to prioritize her own health and wellness while succeeding as a mother, wife, and entertainer."
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos live in a $27 million townhouse
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos enjoy an upscale address, and live on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in a posh pad which they bought for an astonishing $27 million dollars. Their five-story townhouse in this affluent part of the city boasts five bedrooms and six bathrooms. Amenities include two fireplaces, a breathtaking foyer, and even an elevator that leads to a private outdoor area. The family also has access to a rooftop patio and garden, which is rare for urban dwellers. In their space atop the hustle and bustle of the busy city below, Ripa and Consuelos enjoy dinner al fresco and even go cherry picking!
As far as celebrity neighbors go, A-Listers like Drew Barrymore, Mariah Carey, and Ricky Martin all have had homes in this part of New York. Another draw of their not-so-humble abode is the fact that Ripa gets to commute through the sprawling, iconic Central Park on her way to work. "I love running through Central Park. It's my number one favorite thing to do. The trees are beautiful. The lawns are beautiful," she told Parade. "It's great people watching. I just love everything about it."
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos have swanky vacation homes
When Mark Consuelos and Kelly Ripa need a break from the city, they're able to jet set to multiple vacation homes. Their family, according to Ripa, "lives for the weekends," and it's not hard to see why. Besides their place in the Caribbean, they own residences in Colorado and the Hamptons.
Ripa and Consuelos' winter getaway in Telluride, Colorado has mountainous views from each window. "For me, waking up and having coffee and looking out the window in that gorgeous setting is everything," Ripa told Redbook. The family frequently welcome pals there on weekends, even providing them with personalized welcome baskets in their bedrooms!
In the summertime, Ripa and Consuelos head to their beach house in Southampton, New York. "We drive out to our house... and we don't schedule anything," Ripa continued. "We watch movies, we go to the beach." That swanky property set them back a whopping $2.35 million. Its amenities include a ridiculously large pool, where Ripa is known to snap fun photos for Instagram of her clan lounging in the water. The couple loves the Hamptons so much, it's inspired them to executive produce a TV drama set there!
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos hire celebrity trainers and stylists
The super fit couples prove that age is just a number. And although both have celebrated their 50th birthdays, they do their part to keep youthfully toned bodies. To help her stay fit, Kelly Ripa hired celebrity trainer Anna Kaiser, founder of the cardio fitness and wellness brand, AKT. This famous coach even trained Shakira for the Super Bowl Halftime Show (via The New York Times)! As for her other half, Mark Consuelos works with his own celebrity trainer, Alex Fine, to have his abs looking good for all his shirtless scenes on Riverdale.
Their focus on looks doesn't end with their intense workout regimes. To keep her blonde locks staying fresh, Ripa calls upon her hairstylist, Ryan Trygstad, who owns a swanky salon in Manhattan. His Instagram page is filled with photos of his clients, who include Margot Robbie and Naomi Watts. And with her mane always looking fab, Ripa also needs the perfect cosmetics to complement it. For that, she books an appointment with celebrity makeup artist Kristofer Buckle, who also brightens up other famous female faces, such as Mariah Carey, Kris Jenner, and Khloe Kardashian (via Hello!).
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos earn some of the highest nods in the entertainment industry
These two talented entertainers have been showered with accolades. In May of 2019, Kelly Ripa was honored with her sixth Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Show Host for her work on Live with Kelly and Ryan – pretty much the highest honor in her profession (via YouTube). And since she joined the show in 2001, with then-cohost Regis Philbin, Ripa helped it garner 15 Daytime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show, and a 2012 win in that category.
For Ripa's accomplishments, besides having her own replica at Madame Tussands wax museum, the leading lady earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2019, her other half was honored by People magazine in their Sexiest Man Alive issue as one of their Men of the Year. And besides being recognized for his looks, Mark Consuelos has also received honors for his acting chops and has taken home American Latino Media Arts Awards (via IMDb).
The pair even won an award together for their intense on-screen chemistry, snagging the title of "Hottest Romance" at the 1998 Soap Opera Digest Awards.
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos strut red carpets in designer clothing
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos have graced countless red carpets at the most glamorous events in the world. From appearing at the Met Gala to the Oscars (where Ripa famously wore full body makeup and a custom Christian Siriano gown), to Ralph Lauren's fashion show during Fashion Week (where Consuelos donned a dapper tuxedo by the famed designer), the pair definitely knows how to make an entrance.
Ever the fashionista, Ripa has been a style icon since her days as a fledging soap star. In fact, In Style even paid homage to her bold looks in the '90s, which included adding sparkles and sequins to her ensembles. Now, Ripa has her pick of designer threads and gets to wear a different, ultra-chic outfit each day on Live with Kelly and Ryan. Her glamorous sartorial choices are the envy of viewers and have their own place online on the show's website under Kelly's Fashion Finder. The TV diva has even given fans a glimpse into her over-the-top closet on Facebook, and it's just jaw-dropping to see the amount of clothing and shoes tucked away inside!
When it's time to vacation, Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos go all out
Besides escaping to their weekend homes, the Ripa-Consuelos tribe takes lavish vacations to exotic locales all around the world. In 2014, they toured Europe with another famous brood, the Seinfeld family. Their trip included stops at the Eiffel Tower in Paris and beaches in Greece. "I've gotta tell you, it was magical. It was one of those trips where it all came together so beautifully," Kelly Ripa gushed (via ABC News). Then in 2017, the clan relaxed on the beaches of Mexico, lounging in a waterfall pool, indulging in local beer, and posing for photos with palm trees (via the Daily Mail).
Ripa and Mark Consuelos also manage to make time for couple getaways. In 2018, they returned to Greece without the kids, sharing beach shots on Instagram. At the time, an online troll took the opportunity to point out their lavish lifestyle. "She's the only anchor with the whole summer off," the person commented (via People). To that Ripa clapped back, "I'm not an anchor, I don't have the whole summer off, and I work extremely hard. Anything else?"
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos go on double dates with famous friends
Even when they're not at their TV gigs, Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos still rub elbows with famous names. And although there are a bunch of celebrities who can't stand Ripa, she's made some close friends in the entertainment industry. And when they're out on the town, their double dates always make headlines. They have been spotted by Page Six dining in their neighborhood with fellow New York residents, Neil Patrick Harris, and his husband, David Burtka. People magazine also reported on the lovebirds dining out in the Big Apple with Ripa's cohost, Ryan Seacrest and his then-girlfriend, Shanya Taylor.
Another famous person Ripa and Consuelos call a friend is Andy Cohen. In fact, the host of What Happens Live actually credited Ripa with saving his life (via YouTube). Another host and pal of theirs is Anderson Cooper, who's even guest hosted with Ripa on Live. In 2016, Cooper was in contention to replace Michael Strahan, and when he decided to keep his role at CNN, Ripa said (via CNN), "He's my life... He's the one that got away and keeps getting away and gets away all the time."
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos revealed a pregnancy on television
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos have three children: Michael Consuelos, Lola Consuelos, and Joaquin Consuelos. Having parents who work in TV, the kids are spoiled with once-in-a-lifetime experiences, and get to do things like guest star on their mom's morning show and act in their dad's CW series.
However, unlike their celeb friends, when they were growing up the kids never had a full-time nanny. "I don't expect anyone to do my parenting for me," Ripa told People. Also probably contrary to their famous pals, one of the kids had their impending birth revealed on national television!
In 2000, Live invited a psychic on air, and she did a reading on Ripa, who was filling in on the show at the time. Ripa still hadn't make her pregnancy with her second child, Lola, public. "Nobody knew," she said on Live. But, pretty soon, the entire country was in on the secret after the psychic, Char Margolis, said, "You're not pregnant yet, are you?" To that question, Ripa, visibly emotional, said, "I haven't told my boss yet." Now that's what we call a celebrity baby making an entrance!