Who is Kelly Ripa married to? What the cameras don't always show

If you’ve spent any time at all watching morning television over the last couple of decades, you basically already know the answer. But there’s a massive difference between knowing a guy’s face and actually knowing the "how" and "why" behind one of Hollywood’s most resilient marriages. Honestly, in a town where relationships usually have the shelf life of an open carton of milk, Kelly Ripa and her husband are a total anomaly.

So, who is Kelly Ripa married to? She is married to Mark Consuelos.

He’s the guy currently sitting right next to her on Live with Kelly and Mark. He isn't just a "plus one" or a replacement host who happened to fit the vibe. He’s the person she’s been sharing a life with since 1996. That’s nearly 30 years. In celebrity years, that’s basically a century.

Their story isn't some PR-managed fairy tale. It’s actually kinda weird, definitely impulsive, and started on the set of a soap opera when they were both basically kids.

The All My Children Spark

Back in 1995, Kelly was already a star on the ABC soap All My Children, playing Hayley Vaughan. The producers were looking for a love interest for her character—someone to play Mateo Santos.

Enter Mark Consuelos.

He was "fresh out of college" and, according to Kelly, she knew the second she saw his headshot. She has joked before that she saw her "entire future" in that photo. It sounds like something out of a bad rom-com, but they actually felt that spark during the screen test. Mark, on the other hand, thought she was way out of his league. He was just trying to land a job.

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He got the job. He also got the girl.

The Elopement Nobody Knew About

They didn't have a massive, multi-million dollar wedding with a Vogue spread. In fact, they almost didn't get married at all because they actually broke up a week before they tied the knot.

Yeah, you read that right.

They had a massive fight, split up, and then reconciled the very next day. Mark apparently looked at her and suggested they just fly to Las Vegas and get it over with because they had the next day off work. On May 1, 1996, they eloped at the Chapel of the Bells. It cost them next to nothing. Kelly has even admitted she didn't even buy a "real" wedding dress; she just wore something she already had in her closet.

For a long time, they kept it a secret from their coworkers. They were afraid that if people knew the "Hayley and Mateo" romance was real, it would ruin the magic for the fans. Eventually, the secret got out, and surprisingly, it only made the fans love them more.

Building the Consuelos Dynasty

A huge part of why people ask who is Kelly Ripa married to is because of the family they've built. They aren't just a couple; they're a brand. They have three kids who are now fully grown adults:

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• Michael Joseph (born 1997): He’s the spitting image of his father. He’s followed them into the industry, doing some acting (he even played a younger version of Mark’s character on Riverdale) and working in production.
• Lola Grace (born 2001): The middle child who often keeps her parents in check. She’s a musician and recently spent a lot of time in London for her career.
• Joaquin Antonio (born 2003): The baby of the family. He’s a wrestler and a student at the University of Michigan, which officially turned Kelly and Mark into "empty nesters" a few years ago.

The way they talk about their kids is very "normal parent." They joke about the family group chat. They argue about whether or not to give the kids Christmas presents now that they're adults. It’s that relatability that keeps people invested.

Working Together Without Killing Each Other

In 2023, things changed in a big way when Ryan Seacrest left Live. There was a lot of speculation about who would take the seat. When they announced Mark was taking over, some people rolled their eyes. "Too much Kelly and Mark," they said.

But it worked.

They bring a weird, "old married couple" energy to daytime TV that you can't fake. They talk about their "sexual rituals" (Mark’s words, much to Kelly’s mock-horror) and their marriage counseling. They’re very open about the fact that they aren't perfect. Mark has called Kelly "extremely patient and tolerant," which is probably the secret sauce to making it three decades in the spotlight.

What Mark Does When He’s Not With Kelly

While he’s most visible on Live right now, Mark Consuelos has a massive career of his own. Most people recognize him as the villainous Hiram Lodge from the CW’s Riverdale. He played that role for years, which actually meant he had to live in Vancouver while Kelly stayed in New York.

Being long-distance for months at a time is usually the death knell for Hollywood marriages. For them, it seemed to just make them miss each other more. They also run a production company together called Milojo Productions—named after the first two letters of their kids' names (Michael, Lola, Joaquin). They produce everything from documentaries to reality shows.

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The Reality of Being "Empty Nesters"

Since 2021, Kelly and Mark have been living in their Manhattan townhouse without any kids. They’ve been pretty vocal about how much they love it. They call it "the beach," implying they can finally relax.

Of course, they still track their kids on Find My Friends. Kelly has admitted she’s the one who checks the app constantly to see where they are. Mark is usually the one telling her to relax.

Why Their Marriage Still Matters

People are fascinated by Kelly Ripa's marriage because it feels earned. It’s not a flash-in-the-pan TikTok romance. They’ve survived the soap opera grind, the talk show transitions, the long-distance filming, and the scrutiny of the tabloids.

They’ve also been very honest about the "traditional" roles they play at home. Kelly has mentioned that while they are politically progressive, their marriage is quite old-fashioned. Mark is the "provider" who traveled for work for years, while Kelly stayed in the NYC "nest" to raise the kids while doing her show. It’s a dynamic that works for them, even if it’s not what people expect from a modern power couple.

What You Should Know Now

If you’re looking to keep up with them, you don't just have to watch the morning show. Kelly has a podcast called Let’s Talk Off Camera, where she gets way more "R-rated" than she’s allowed to on ABC. Mark is a frequent guest, and they dive into the nitty-gritty of their relationship, their health routines, and their life in their 50s.

They recently celebrated their 29th wedding anniversary in May 2025. Mark posted a tribute calling her "sexy," and Kelly shared throwback photos from their early years in Italy. They seem just as obsessed with each other now as they were when they were eloping in Vegas with no money in their pockets.

If you're curious about their current projects, keep an eye on:

1. Live with Kelly and Mark: Airing weekday mornings.
2. Let’s Talk Off Camera: Kelly’s weekly podcast where Mark often chimes in.
3. Milojo Productions: They are constantly developing new unscripted content for various networks.

Whether you love them or find their "over-sharing" a bit much, you have to respect the longevity. In a world of "situationships," Kelly and Mark are the real deal.