Kelly Ripa, an American actress and television host, has amassed a significant fortune of $120 million by the beginning of 2025.
From her early days in soap operas to becoming a household name as a daytime TV host, Ripa has enjoyed a versatile career.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born on October 2, 1970, in Berlin, New Jersey, Kelly Maria Ripa grew up in a working-class family. Her father, Joseph Ripa, was a Democratic County Clerk, and her mother, Esther, was a homemaker.
Ripa developed a passion for performing arts at a young age, studying ballet and playing the piano. She attended Eastern Regional High School, where she was encouraged by her drama teacher to pursue acting.
Following her high school years, Kelly enrolled at Camden County College before dropping out to move to New York City and pursue acting full-time.
Ripa’s first significant TV role came in the 1980s when she appeared as a regular dancer on Dancin’ On Air, which later led to a job on Dance Party USA.
Her breakthrough came in 1990 when she was cast as Hayley Vaughn Santos on the popular ABC soap opera All My Children.
Rise to Fame: All My Children and Soap Opera Success
Kelly Ripa’s portrayal of Hayley Vaughn on All My Children from 1990 to 2002 earned her widespread recognition. During her time on the show, she won multiple Soap Opera Digest Awards and received three Daytime Emmy nominations for her work.
This role made her a household name and helped her transition into other forms of entertainment, including television hosting.
It was on the set of All My Children where Kelly met her future husband, actor Mark Consuelos, who played Mateo Santos. The couple’s chemistry was undeniable, and they married in 1996.
The Big Break: Live with Regis and Kelly
Kelly Ripa’s career took another major turn when she was invited to audition for the co-host position on Live with Regis and Kathie Lee in 2001.
The morning show, previously known for the duo of Regis Philbin and Kathie Lee Gifford, needed a new co-host after Gifford’s departure. Ripa’s audition was a success, and she became co-host of Live! alongside Regis Philbin.
The revamped morning program quickly became a ratings juggernaut, thanks to Ripa’s quick wit, charm, and ability to connect with the audience.
Over the years, Ripa became the face of the show, and after Regis Philbin’s retirement in 2011, she continued to host Live! with several guest co-hosts, eventually pairing with Michael Strahan in 2012.
The show was renamed Live with Kelly and Michael, and Ripa’s career as a daytime talk show host soared.
In 2017, Ripa began co-hosting with Ryan Seacrest, and the show was renamed Live with Kelly and Ryan.
After Seacrest’s departure in 2023, Ripa’s husband Mark Consuelos took over as her co-host, and the show became Live with Kelly and Mark.
Salary and Career Earnings
Kelly Ripa’s salary is one of the highest in daytime television. As of 2025, she earns an impressive $22 million per year for her work on Live with Kelly and Mark.
In addition to her hosting duties, Ripa also starred in the sitcom Hope & Faith from 2003 to 2006 and continues to pursue various acting and voiceover projects.
Her earnings from Live! have made her one of the highest-paid TV personalities in the industry. On top of that, Ripa’s long-standing success in the entertainment industry has made her a valuable spokesperson for several major brands, including 7 Up, Tide, and Pantene.
Other Ventures: Acting, Voiceover Work, and Endorsements
Although Ripa is best known for her work as a daytime TV host, she has ventured into several other industries. She starred in the sitcom Hope & Faith, which ran from 2003 to 2006.
Ripa has also appeared in various films, including Marvin’s Room (1996), where she starred alongside Meryl Streep and Leonardo DiCaprio.
Ripa’s voiceover career has been equally successful, with notable roles in animated projects such as Kim Possible, Delgo, and Fly Me to the Moon. Her diverse portfolio of work, including acting, hosting, and voiceovers, has contributed significantly to her net worth.
In addition to her entertainment career, Ripa has worked as a spokeswoman for numerous brands, further boosting her wealth.
She has long-term partnerships with companies like Electrolux and Ryka, and her commercial deals have made her a recognized face in advertising.
Awards and Accolades
Over the years, Kelly Ripa has received numerous awards and accolades for her work in television. She won five Soap Opera Digest Awards for her role in All My Children and earned multiple nominations for Daytime Emmys. In 2001, she and Regis Philbin won the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Talk Show Host, and the show itself earned several Outstanding Talk Show awards during its run. In 2015, Ripa was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, cementing her status as a television icon.
Ripa was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame in 2017 and won her sixth Daytime Emmy award in 2019. These honors reflect her longstanding impact on television and her ability to amaze audiences for decades.
Impressive Real Estate Portfolio
Ripa and Consuelos have made substantial investments in real estate over the years. The couple has owned multiple properties across the U.S., including luxurious homes in New York City, the Hamptons, and Colorado.
- New York City: Kelly and Mark’s first significant NYC condo was a spacious loft spanning 5,625 square feet. They eventually moved to a 9,865-square-foot penthouse in 2005, which they purchased for $9 million. They sold this property in 2014 for $24.5 million, making a considerable profit.
- Primary Residence: Their current primary residence is a $30 million townhouse in New York City. This five-story home is equipped with an elevator, a private rooftop patio, and a garden, offering plenty of space and luxury amenities.
- Vacation Homes: In addition to their city properties, the couple owns a ski home in Telluride, Colorado, and a beach house in the Hamptons. Their Hamptons home, purchased in 2004 for $2.35 million, is likely worth between $10-15 million today. Their total real estate holdings are estimated to be worth at least $45 million.
