Kelly Ripa is an American actress, television host, and producer with a net worth of $120 million as of 2024. She is best known for co-hosting Live! with Regis and Kelly, and its subsequent iterations, which have made her a staple of morning television.
Additionally, Ripa has earned considerable wealth from her acting career, brand endorsements, and various other ventures.
Early Life
Kelly Maria Ripa was born on October 2, 1970, in Berlin, New Jersey. She was raised in a family with a strong work ethic, her father, Joseph, served as the Democratic County Clerk for Camden County, and her mother, Esther, was a homemaker.
Ripa, the first person in her family to pursue acting, developed an interest in performing from a young age.
She studied ballet and piano, and was encouraged by her high school drama teacher to follow a career in acting. After dropping out of Camden County College, she moved to New York City to pursue her dream.
Career Beginnings
Ripa’s career began in 1986 when she appeared as a regular dancer on Dancin’ On Air, later transitioning to Dance Party USA. In 1990, she landed her breakout role as Hayley Vaughn Santos on the ABC soap opera All My Children.
She starred on the show until 2002, where she met her future husband, actor Mark Consuelos. Ripa’s chemistry with Consuelos, both onscreen and off, became one of the soap opera world’s most beloved couples.
Rise to Fame
In 2001, Ripa began her iconic run as co-host of Live! with Regis and Kelly, replacing Kathie Lee Gifford. The show became an immediate hit, with Ripa’s warm personality and engaging banter with Regis Philbin drawing millions of viewers.
When Regis retired in 2011, Ripa took the helm, hosting Live! with Kelly before welcoming Michael Strahan as her co-host in 2012, which resulted in the rebranding to Live with Kelly and Michael.
After Strahan’s departure in 2016, Ryan Seacrest joined her as co-host, renaming the show Live with Kelly and Ryan.
In 2023, Seacrest departed, and Ripa’s husband, Mark Consuelos, became her new co-host, and the show was renamed Live with Kelly and Mark.
In addition to her hosting duties, Ripa starred in the sitcom Hope & Faith from 2003 to 2006 and continues to act in television and film, with roles in Marvin’s Room (1996) and voice work for projects like Kim Possible and Fly Me to the Moon.
Salary and Earnings
Ripa’s salary for her role on Live is an impressive $22 million per year. She has earned additional income through her endorsements and acting roles, and her wealth has grown over the years due to her long-standing presence in the television industry.
Accolades and Achievements
Throughout her career, Kelly Ripa has received numerous awards and honors. She won five Soap Opera Digest Awards for her work on All My Children, and in 2001, she earned a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Show Host alongside Regis Philbin.
She continued to receive Daytime Emmy nominations, winning several more times throughout her career. In 2015, she was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and in 2017, she was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame.
Real Estate and Investments
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos have a substantial real estate portfolio. They previously owned several properties in New York, including a 5,625-square-foot condo, which they sold for a $3 million profit.
They later purchased a 9,865-square-foot penthouse, which they sold for $24.5 million in 2014. Today, their primary residence is a luxurious $30 million townhouse in New York City.
They also own a beach home in the Hamptons and a ski retreat in Telluride, Colorado, bringing the total value of their real estate holdings to at least $45 million.
Other Ventures
In addition to her television career, Ripa has been a spokeswoman for various brands, including 7 Up, Tide, and Pantene.
She continues to maintain endorsement deals with companies such as Electrolux and Ryka. She has also enjoyed a successful career in voiceover work for animated films and television shows.
