Mark Consuelos Announces His Father’s Death on ‘Live With Kelly and Mark’

Live With Kelly and Mark returned after two weeks of pre-recorded shows, and Mark Consuelos began the show’s latest episode with some devastating news.

“Obviously, we had two weeks off, and it’s nice to be back. Had some really, really bad news the first Monday, it was two weeks ago today,” Mark said at the top of Live‘s Monday, April 6, episode. “My father [Saul Consuelos] passed away after a long bout with an illness. He passed away peacefully. Gosh, such a fascinating man. Such a fascinating man.”

Kelly Ripa told Mark, “Let me just say that we have been blessed. You have been blessed more because you knew him your whole life. 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, and he really is so symbolic of everything you are.”

Mark said he “learned so much” from his father throughout his life. “If he was fixing something in the house, he’d make me watch and do it, and I didn’t know at the time why he was doing it,” he shared. “Because now, at the house, I’m able to at least do half the stuff that he does at our house.” Ripa chimed in, stating, “You do everything the way he did it. They can fix everything with a toothpick!”

 

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Reflecting on his father’s life, Mark continued, “He came here from Mexico in his early teens. He immigrated here from Mexico. He served his country for 30 years, ended up at Special Operations Command in Tampa. This young kid from Mexico just got his education through the Navy, was always going to school, brilliant, got his master’s [degree], while I was a kid. He loved this country so much. He loved this country so much. He really is, I would say, an example. If you put a face to an immigrant, he would be the prime example of what this country promises people here in this country. And he raised three pretty good kids.”

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Ripa noted that Mark and his siblings are Saul’s “living legacy.” The couple is currently trying to convince Mark’s mother, Camilla Consuelos, to move closer to them in New York City. “She’s such a character. She’s very stubborn,” Mark stated before pitching that she should host a “Cooking With Camilla” segment every Friday on Live.

Ripa later shared one of her favorite memories with Saul, telling Live viewers, “There was a long period of time where people thought that my father-in-law was my husband on back-to-school night, because he was always with me on back-to-school night.” When Mark once attended a back-to-school night, Ripa joked that people assumed he was her new husband.

Later in the conversation, Mark revealed that he got to say goodbye to his father in person before his death. Saul also passed away while Mark was in rehearsals for his Broadway play, Fallen Angels, which began previews on March 27.

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“I really feel like that was such a welcome distraction for me,” Mark said of the play. “I knew I had to keep on going, especially during that time. It’s been great. I’ve had such a good time doing it. I know he’s there watching, and he’s able to be part of that.”

Ripa wrapped up the topic on an emotional note by telling Mark, “You’re the strongest person I know. You continually inspire me every day. And all of the good things that I love about you, I loved those same things about your dad, really. So, I just want to say thank you, Dad, for everything you gave to us.”

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