Kelly Ripa is an American television host, actress, and producer known for her charismatic and engaging presence in entertainment. She rose to prominence as the co-host of the popular morning talk show “Live! with Regis and Kelly,” where she shared the stage with Regis Philbin for over a decade. Ripa’s infectious energy and quick wit endeared her to audiences, making her a household name.
Content of this Article
- Kelly Ripa’s Appearance
- Facts About Kelly Ripa
- Kelly Ripa’s Net Worth
- Early Life
- Kelly Ripa’s Husband and Family
- Kelly Ripa’s Career
- Kelly Ripa’s Real Estate
Kelly Ripa’s Appearance (Height, Hair, Eyes & More)
| Height | 5 ft 2 in
1.57 m |
| Weight | 110 pounds
50 kg |
| Hair Color | Blonde |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Body Type | Slim |
| Sexual Orientation | Straight |
Facts About Kelly Ripa
| Nationality | American |
| Estimated Net Worth | $120 million |
| Religion | Catholic |
| Zodiac Sign | Libra |
| Birthplace | Berlin, New Jersey |
| Birthday | October 2, 1970 |
Kelly Ripa’s Net Worth
As of 2023, Kelly Ripa’s net worth is approximately $120 million. While playing the role of Hayley Vaughn on the popular soap opera “All My Children,” Ripa formed a beloved on-screen couple with Mark Consuelos, who portrayed Mateo Santos. Their chemistry was so genuine that they eventually got married a year after they started working together on the show.
As Ripa wrapped up her final season on “All My Children,” she had the opportunity to audition as a co-host for the morning show, previously known as “Live with Regis and Kathie Lee.” Her audition was a hit, and in 2001, “Live with Regis and Kelly” debuted. Thanks to her contributions to the show, Kelly Ripa now earns an annual salary of $22 million.
Early Life
Kelly Maria Ripa, born on October 2, 1970, hails from Berlin, New Jersey. She is the daughter of Esther, a homemaker, and Joseph Ripa, who not only worked as a bus driver but also held the role of a labor union president and attended Rutgers University. Ripa has a sister named Linda, known for her work as a children’s book author.
Their father, who is a Democrat, has been serving as the County Clerk for Camden County, New Jersey, since June 2009. Regarding her heritage, Ripa is mostly of Italian descent, with a dash of Irish ancestry in the mix. She was brought up in the Catholic faith.
Education
Kelly Ripa completed her high school education at Eastern Regional High School in Voorhees Township, New Jersey. During her time there, she was an enthusiastic cheerleader, and her drama teacher saw her potential in acting, encouraging her to pursue it further. Ripa got her first taste of the stage by starring in local theater productions. Her big break came during her senior year when she was discovered while performing in “The Ugly Duckling.”
After high school, she initially attended Camden County College to study psychology. However, she decided to follow her passion for acting and dropped out of college, relocating to New York City to pursue her acting career.
Kelly Ripa’s Husband and Family
In 1995, Kelly Ripa crossed paths with her future husband, Mark Consuelos, while co-starring in “All My Children.” Their connection was so strong that they decided to elope on May 1, 1996. The couple is blessed with three children: Michael Joseph (born on June 2, 1997), Lola Grace (born on June 16, 2001), and Joaquin Antonio (born on February 24, 2003).
Kelly Ripa’s Career
In 1986, Kelly Ripa had her initial taste of national TV when she became a regular dancer on “Dancin’ On Air,” which later transitioned into “Dance Party USA.” Interestingly, her career aspiration back then was to become a newscaster, and she frequently delivered news reports as part of the show’s cast.
In 1990, Ripa landed her first significant acting gig when she was chosen to play Hayley Vaughan, a character known for her wild partying ways, on “All My Children.” She played this role for 12 years, concluding her run in 2002. However, she briefly returned in 2010, appearing in two episodes to celebrate the soap opera’s 40th anniversary.
Live!
After Kathie Lee Gifford departed from “Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee,” Regis Philbin initiated on-air auditions to find her successor. Among the candidates considered, including Jane Krakowski, Valerie Bertinelli, Dolly Parton, and Bernadette Peters, Kelly Ripa stood out as the top choice. On February 5, 2001, it was officially announced that Ripa would take over the role. Shortly after, the show was renamed “Live! with Regis and Kelly.”
With Ripa on board, the show experienced a remarkable boost in its younger viewership, with a staggering 80 percent increase in the young audience demographic. Ripa was widely credited for injecting new vitality into the show. The connection between Philbin and Ripa, their friendly exchanges, interviews, and discussions about their families, personal lives, and New York City drew a dedicated and substantial audience, with an average of 6 million daily viewers.
In January 2011, Philbin, aged 80, revealed his plan to retire from “Live!” at the end of the year. His farewell episode aired on Friday, November 18, 2011. During that emotional show, Ripa reminisced tearfully about her first day on the show and the 43 steps they took together from her dressing room to the set every day for 11 years, emphasizing how those 43 steps had profoundly impacted her life.
After Philbin’s departure, Ripa took the reins of the show and made her return on Monday, November 21, 2011. The show was rebranded as “Live! with Kelly.” A process similar to her selection took place to select her new co-host, with a rotating group of potential co-hosts auditioning alongside Ripa on air. This lineup of auditionees included Michael Strahan, Seth Meyers, Josh Groban, Nick Lachey, and Neil Patrick Harris. Ultimately, Strahan was chosen as the new co-host, and “Live! with Kelly and Michael” debuted on September 4, 2012.
On May 16, 2016, the show’s title switched back to “Live! with Kelly” following Michael Strahan’s final show before he joined “Good Morning America.” This change led to another period of guest co-hosts. Then, on May 1, 2017, the show became “Live with Kelly and Ryan” when Ryan Seacrest assumed the role of Strahan’s permanent replacement.
On February 16, 2023, Seacrest announced that he would depart from “Live with Kelly and Ryan” in April 2023. The main reason for his departure was the challenges of traveling, given that his primary residence is in Los Angeles, while the show is taped in New York City. Mark Consuelos, Ripa’s husband, stepped in to fill his role. However, Seacrest mentioned his intention to return as a guest host whenever Consuelos is unavailable, indicating that he’s not permanently leaving the show.
Kelly Ripa’s Real Estate
Kelly Ripa and her husband, Mark Consuelos, own several homes nationwide. Their first significant New York City apartment was a spacious loft spanning 5,625 square feet, featuring three bedrooms and three and a half bathrooms. The unit boasted a large eat-in kitchen with multiple refrigerators, a separate family wing with two bedrooms, a playroom, a library/den, an office, and a personal gym.
The family loved this location so much that when they needed more space than the $2.8 million loft offered, they moved upstairs to a penthouse suite measuring 9,865 square feet, which Nicole Kidman had vacated. They purchased Kidman’s 6,700-square-foot property for $9 million in 2005. Eventually, they sold the first loft for approximately $6.8 million, making a $3 million profit. In 2014, they sold the Kidman property for $24.5 million.
Today, Ripa and Consuelos consider their primary residence a five-bedroom townhouse in New York City, valued at a minimum of $30 million. This impressive five-story home features an elevator that leads to a private rooftop patio and garden. They have a ski home in Telluride, Colorado, and a beachfront residence in the Hamptons for their getaways. The Hamptons home was initially purchased for $2.35 million in 2004, and its value likely falls between $10-15 million. Their real estate holdings are estimated to be worth at least $45 million.
Net Worth of Other Notable TV Hosts
Johnny Carson’s Net Worth
Johnny Carson, an esteemed American television host and comedian, is best known for his long-standing role as the host of “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” from 1962 to 1992. Renowned for his wit and charm, Carson set the gold standard for late-night entertainment. Over the years, Carson’s life included not just a celebrated career but also personal joys and sorrows, including marriages, the tragic loss of a son, and health battles. His influence extended to other entertainers, with Carson playing a pivotal role in launching the careers of numerous celebrities. Moreover, he occasionally found himself at the center of controversies and disputes. At the time of his passing, Johnny Carson’s net worth was estimated to be $300 million.
Monty Hall’s Net Worth
Monty Hall, born Monte Halparin in Winnipeg, Manitoba, became an iconic Canadian-American television personality and game show host, most recognized for “Let’s Make a Deal.” Debuting in 1963, the show became a cornerstone of American television and also introduced the “Monty Hall Problem,” a fascinating probability puzzle. Beyond his television pursuits, Hall was a devoted family man, marrying Marilyn Doreen Plottel and raising three accomplished children. Hall’s career began in radio, transitioned to television, and eventually solidified with his hosting and producing roles on various game shows. Off-screen, his Beverly Hills residence, a Mediterranean-style house from the 1920s, became a testament to his success, selling for $6.409 million posthumously. Despite all his accomplishments, many fans and analysts frequently focus on Monty Hall’s net worth, which stood at an impressive $10 million at the time of his passing.