Mark Consuelos, the 55-year-old host of “Live with Kelly and Mark” started the April 6 episode by paying tribute to the man who raised him and shared the sad passing of his father. Saul Consuelos died “peacefully” two weeks ago after a “long bout with illness.”
Consuelos said he was “thankfully able to get down there and say goodbye” to his dad. He called him “such a fascinating man.” His wife and cohost, Kelly Ripa, said she was grateful to have known him for 30 years.
Since 1996, Ripa and Consuelos have been married and have three grown children together.
Kelly Ripa shares how she felt about her father-in-law
“We have been blessed. You have been blessed more because you knew him your full life,” Ripa said, addressing Consuelos. “I only got to know my father-in-law for 31 years, but they were the best 31 years of my life. I can honestly say that I will miss him every day for the rest of my life, as I know you will, as our children will. He was the greatest person I’ve ever known.”
Ripa told Consuelos that her father in law was “so symbolic of everything you are,” and she remembered how he would help take care of their kids while Ripa and Consuelos were at work.
Consuelos said that his father moved to the US from Mexico as a teenager and joined the Navy. “He loved this country so much,” he said. “If you were to put a face to an immigrant, he would be the best example of what this country promises people here. He also raised three pretty good kids.”
Kelly and Mark’s Kids having a difficult time
Ripa said that her kids with Consuelos have been having a hard time with the death because it was the first time they lost a grandparent. But Ripa also told her kids, who are all in their 20s, how lucky they are to have grandparents in their lives as adults.
Ripa told her husband, “You are the strongest person I know,” as they finished the segment. “You inspire me every day. I loved all the same things about your dad that I love about you. So I just want to thank you, Dad, for everything you did for us.
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