Last Updated on February 23, 2024
Who is Kelly Ripa?
Kelly Ripa is a renowned actress, talk show host, television producer, and dancer. She is the co-host of ABC channel’s morning talk show “Live with Kelly and Ryan.” Also, she has anchored the award-winning top morning talk show “Live” for two decades as a household name.
She has since evolved despite beginning her career as a dancer in the late 80s. Kelly rocketed to fame playing Hayley Vaughan in the popular soap opera “All My Children,” a role she reprised for 12 years.
Her acting career also includes parts in various television shows and films, including Hope and Faith (from 2003-2006), Missing, American Housewife, and 1996’s acclaimed Marvin’s Room.
The TV personality has lent her voice to animated projects like Kim Possible, Duck Dodgers, and Fly Me to the Moon—all of which contributed to her wealth
Quick Facts
Full Name: | Kelly Maria Ripa |
Popular Name: | Kelly Ripa |
Gender: | Female |
Birth Date: | October 2, 1970 |
Age: | 52 years |
Parents: | Joseph Ripa, Esther Ripa |
Siblings: | Linda Ripa |
Birth Place: | Berlin, New Jersey |
Nationality: | American |
Ethnicity: | Irish-Italian |
Education: | Eastern Regional High School, Camden Community College |
Marital Status: | Married |
Sexual Orientation: | Straight |
Wife/Spouse: | Mark Consuelos |
Children: | Michael Joseph Consuelos, Lola Grace Consuelos, Joaquin Antonio Consuelos |
Dating: | N/A |
Net Worth: | $120 Million |
Source of Wealth: | Acting, Talk Show Host, Sponsorship Deals, and Television Production. |
Height: | 5ft2 (1.60m) |
Weight: | 50kg (110lbs) |
Early Life and Career Information
Kelly Ripa was born and raised in Berlin, New Jersey, to Esther Ripa, a homemaker, and Joseph, a dedicated labor union president and bus driver. She has an older sister, Linda, a published children’s book author. Kelly is of mixed heritage (Italian and Irish), and she grew up Roman Catholic.
Her father was appointed as the Democratic County Clerk for Camden County, New Jersey, in June 2009, a position he has held ever since. The first in her family to enter the acting profession, she studied ballet from the age of three and played the piano.
A natural performer, Ripa was a cheerleader while in high school. Subsequently, her drama teacher motivated her to pursue acting, and she has cited him as an important factor that influenced her decision regarding acting.
She starred in local theater productions and graduated from Eastern Regional High School in Voorhees Township, New Jersey. Kelly attended Camden County College for a while, studying psychology until she dropped out and relocated to New York to pursue acting.
She got various local TV gigs, but it wasn’t until 1986 that Ripa got her first appearance on national television when she was cast as a regular dancer on Dancin’ On Air, which led to a job on Dance Party USA.
In 1990, Ripa rose to acclaim after being cast in All My Children as Hayley Vaughan, a party girl (where she met her husband, Mark Consuelos). It was her first significant acting role. She assumed that role for 12 years before leaving in 2002; however, she returned for two episodes in 2010 to help celebrate the 40th anniversary of the soap opera.
From 2003 to 2006, Ripa played the role of Faith Fairfield, an unemployed ex-soap star on ABC channel’s Hope & Faith. The half-hour sitcom co-starred other established actors like Faith Ford, Ted McGinley, and Megan Fox. Critics received the primetime well and gave ABC its best Friday premiere score since 1996.
Although she is better known for her television work, Ripa has also made several film appearances. She featured in the acclaimed Miramax film Marvin’s Room alongside Meryl Streep and Leonardo DiCaprio in 1996.
Kelly Ripa has co-hosted the morning talk show “Live with Regis and Kelly” since February 2001. Within months of her addition to the show, its young-audience demographics increased by 80 percent.
The show became known for the chemistry between Philbin and Ripa (or “Pippa,” as he nicknamed her). Their banter, interviews, and conversations about their personal lives and New York City attracted many new fans with a loyal viewership of 6 million viewers daily.
Philbin retired in 2011, and for a short time, the show had various guest co-hosts while being known as Live with Kelly!
The show won its first Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Show in June 2012. Afterward, Michael Strahan joined as a co-host, and the show was renamed Live with Kelly and Michael from September 2012 to May 2016.
The show’s name was retitled to Live! with Kelly again after Strahan’s last show before his move to Good Morning America. Ryan Seacrest became her new co-host in 2017, and the show’s title was changed to Live! with Kelly and Ryan.
Ripa has served as a spokesperson for several companies. In the past, she has represented Tide, 7Up, Pantene, and TD Bank but recently worked primarily with Rykä and Electrolux.
In 2007, Ripa and her husband Mark Consuelos founded a production company, Milojo Productions, named after their children Michael, Lola, and Joaquin.
Kelly Ripa’s Net Worth
In 2016, Ripa was named the ninth highest-paid TV host in the world by Forbes after raking in an impressive $17 million that year.
Her TV salary has since increased, and in 2022, she earns $22 million from her appearance on Live with Kelly and Ryan. With her successful acting and hosting careers, plus her other gigs in production, real estate, and doing voice-overs. Ripa has racked up an impressive net worth of $120 million.
Lessons from the Life of Kelly Ripa
Chase Your Dreams
In a move that can only be called brave, Ripa moved to New York, where she had no connections to achieve her dreams. She took a chance on herself and never looked back.
She has never let challenges deter her in any aspect of her life, professional or otherwise. You can decide to let yourself waste away in regret, or you can take charge of your future.
Work Hard and Be Yourself
Ripa has many endearing qualities, such as being herself and a passion for working hard. Her energy and sincere personality have won the hearts of America for decades.
Her achievements didn’t come easily, but they are evidence of her hard work over the years. Why not learn from Ripa’s story and become the best version of yourself?